Information on The New Testament (N.T.)
1. The earliest sources about Jesus' life(completed by close of 1st century A.D.) Paul's letters date to the 50's A.D., they were of very high christology. Paul never met the pre-crucified Jesus, but had a vision after Jesus' resurrection.
2. Portrays Jesus as a jew, with jewish ideas(which goes along with extra-biblical sources.)
3. Reliable manuscripts. Manuscripts have been well documented and come a relatively early time after Jesus' death.
4. Writings of the early church fathers quote the new testament. This gives more proof to the legitimacy of the writings.
5. Translation isn't rocket science. The Old testament is in Hebrew and Aramaic. New testament is primarily in Greek. Very little is lost in the translation of both texts.

Jesus Christ means-Jesus The Christ,or Jesus The Messiah.

Gnosticism - is a greek religion which predated christianity and was around after the beginning of christianity. Gnostics incorporated christian symbols and ideas.

Gnostics goal of religion is gnosis(secret mystical knowledge).

Thomas is the earliest of the Gnostic gospels.

For further information on Gnosticism go to gnosis.org.