Gnosticism and Christianity are Inseparability Entwined

"Historically and geographically speaking, Gnosticism developed at the same time and in the same places as early Christianity, with which it was, and remained, entwined-Palestine, Syria, Samaria, and Antolia, and later, Ptolemaic Egypt. Since the deciphering of the Dead Sea Scrolls, it has become apparent that at least some elements of the Gnostic tradition go back to the Essenes. The theory of some scholars that ascribed the origins of Gnosticism to Iranian or even Indian influences has now been largely discredited. The land of Middle Eastern spirituality-with its visionary apocalypticism and revelations, its messianic fervor, and its mystical and ascetic communities-are now assumed to be the cradle of Gnosticism."

-Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing pgs. 93-94