Heresy in the Early Church

Course: Church History (1) **Course Title:**Church History and the Standard of the New Testament Section One: The Early Church Lesson Five: Heresies and wrong teaching. **Text:**Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:28-30 **Introduction:**Being led by false teaching or by the Holy Spirit.

• Purpose of false teachings is to produce followers. This is a work of the flesh,Galatians 5:20. seeking to gain followers (strife), standing apart"> (seditions), choosing opinions (heresies).Be led by astray by leaders.
• There is a carnal excitement in hearing new teachings. Acts 17:21. (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.). Being enticed by exciting new teachings.
• Being led of the Holy Spirit. What are the guards know the scriptures and dont follow the teaching of one man. Even Paul confirmed his teaching with the Apostles. Always look for the fruit of holiness, righteousness and love. **Introductory Story:**Being led into error. Characteristics of false teaching:
• Following a leader deceived by claims of supernatural manifestations.
• Higher knowledge enticed by new teaching.
• Schism the forming of a sect. Main Points: Gnosticism, Montanists, Arianism

1. Gnosticism Gnosis knowledge.

• Hidden knowledge. Gnosticism took different forms but held the common belief in a hidden knowledge that revealed mysteries. Gnosticism attached itself to the Christian message in New Testament times. Colossians chapter 2 opposes the teaching of Gnosticism.
• The Gnostic books found near the small village of Nag Hammadi, north of Luxor in Upper Egypt (December 1945). Includes The Gospel according to Thomas, originally called "the secret words of Jesus written by Thomas". These are the hidden words that the living Jesus spoke, and that Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down. And He said: "Whoever finds the meaning of these words will not taste death. Salvation gnosis. Question: How do you associate the harshness of the Old Testament with the Sermon on the Mount?
• Marcion (c. 85-160) Believed the God of the Old Testament evil. God of the New Testament good. Marcion was Docetic denying the human nature of Christ. Compare 1 John 4:1-3. Marcion rejected many scriptures. Made his own canon of scripture to fit his Gnostic beliefs. Accepted Lukes Gospel (with the Old Testament quotes removed that linked Jesus to the Old Testament) and 10 of Pauls epistles (also with Old Testament quotes removed). Marcion forced the Church to form a canon of scripture (see lesson 5)
• Writings against Marcion Tertullian's "Against Marcion" (Adversus Marcionem), Book IV Ephipanius" Panarion sect. 42 "Against the Marcionites Irenaeus "Against Heresies"

2. Montanists

Montanus c.150, came from Ardaban,Phrygia, Asia Minor. Converted priest of Cybele Montanism reaction against corruption in the Church Call for reform

• Montanus Restoration of the Manifestations of the Spirit. Montanus claimed to have the ministry of a prophet and reformer of Christianity. Montanism was characterised by visions and prophecies. Two women prophetesses, Maximilla and Priscilla. c.170 church synods pronounced Montanism as heresy.
• Eschatological extremism. Montanism New Jerusalem in Phrygia Announced the imminent coming of the New Jerusalem Prophesied that the New Jerusalem would come down from heaven to a small village, Pepuza, in the west ofPhrygia. Followers led by Montanus to prepare for its coming. Enforced a strict asceticism including celibacy Followers left worldly possessions. Priscilla prophesied: Christ came to me in the likeness of a woman, clad in a bright robe, and He planted wisdom in me and revealed that this place (Pepuza) is holy, and that hereJerusalem comes down from heaven. When the New Jerusalem did not come the Montanists remained there claiming it was the residence of the Paraclete (the Holy Spirit).
• Opposition to Montanists Montanus criticised for "> Dissolving marriages > Enforcing fasting on followers "> Financial misdealings and taking a salary Priscilla and Maximilla criticised for > Leaving husbands "> Making financial gain > Pretended stature of importance Held prophecy to be on level of scripture. Accepted marriage but not second marriages. Paid salaries to clergy and accepted women in ministry. Examination of Montanist prophecy Ecstatic utterances Maximilla prophesied as the passive instrument of the Holy Spirit. I am chased like a wolf from the flock. I am no wolf; I am utterance, spirit, and power.(Quoted by Eusebius) The gift of prophesy is for exhortation, encouragement and comfort. The Holy Spirit does not bypass the individual personality of the person prophesying. Moderate Montanism Tertullian became a Montanist c.205. A less radical form of Montanism spread quickly acrossEurope. Montanism sought to bring spiritual gifts back to the church Montanism was a reaction against: worldliness in the church clerical hierarchism Montanism extremism was legalistic and exalted celibacy
• Perpetua who was martyred in Carthage was suspected of being a Montanist she moved in the gifts of the Spirit. 3.Alexandrian School Alexandria was founded by Alexander in 332 BC Becoming the second most important city of the Roman Empire. Cosmopolitan city Greeks and Jews trading. "> The Hebrew scriptures were translated into Greek (Septuagint) inAlexandria. > Philo linked the Hebrew scriptures with Greek philosophy. "> Schools of philosophical thought. > Rise of Neo-Platonism Church in Alexandria influenced by Greek philosophy and Hellenistic Judaism. Development of the allegorical method of interpretation of scripture. Origen c.185 254 Full name - Origenes Adamantius Pupil of Clement of Alexandria (c.215) 202 Father (Leonides) martyred during the persecution of Septimius Severus inAlexandria. Origen wanted to be martyred when his father was killed but his mother hid his clothes Christian Neoplatonist 203-215 Head of Catechetical School in Alexandria. Castrated himself to avoid scandal when teaching women. 215-216 Persecution of Caracalla visited Palestine invited to preach though only a layman. 230 Ordained presbyter in Caesarea 231 Bishop of Alexandria angry at ordination (envious) Origen moved toCaesarea 250 Imprisoned during Decian persecution. Tortured sentenced to death. 251 Released after Decian killed. c.254 Died Origens teaching. Produced 6000 works. Works included: Textual criticism; exegesis; theological; and letters. Textual criticism Origens Hexapla six versions of the Bible. Origen put them together in six columns. The six versions were:

1. Hebrew version
2. Greek transliteration (word for word) of the Hebrew version.
3. Greek literal version. Aquila of Sinopes (2nd century) literal translatin from the Hebrew.
4. Greek version of the Hebrew scriptures by Symmachus the Ebionite (late 2nd Century) (paraphrase).
5. Septuagint (3rd-1st century BC)
6. Theodotions (c.200) Greek version of the Bible. Origens heretical teaching. Origens teaching was declared to be heresy in 553AD. (Second Council of Constantinople) There is doubt over what Origen actually taught. His condemned teaching include:
7. Universal Redemption. Even demons eventually reconciled to God.
8. Hierarchical structure of the Trinity.
9. Preexistence of the soul. Neo Platonism Temporality of matter. Eternal souls perfected by escaping temporary, imperfect material world. 4. Arianism Arianism held that the Son of God was a created being, unequal to the Father, capable of sin. The spread of Arianism caused the Emperor Constantine to call the Council of Nicaea (AD 325). The Nicene Creed declared Jesus is of the same substance with the Father. Who was Arius? Born 256 in Libya Priest of the church of Baukalis in Alexandria. Very popular - nearly chosen to be Bishop instead of Alexander. Arianism form of Gnosticism. Gnosticism - one, Supreme, unapproachable Being, and that all other beings, including the Son of God, are creations: Bishop Alexander addressed his clergy in 319 re: the Trinity. Arius publicly attacked what Alexander taught and accused him of Sabellianism and "confounding the persons". Sabellius claimed that God was one person Who manifested Himself in three ways as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In 321 a provincial synod at Alexandria was called to discuss Arianism. Attended by 100 bishops ofEgypt and Libya. At this synod the Arians stated that the Son of God was: 1. a created being 2. Unequal to the Father 3. Capable of sin The synod excommunicated Arius, two bishops, five priests, and six deacons. Arius gained the support of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia. Won support at the synod of Nicomedia. Arius promoted his teaching through writing in defence of his doctrine and writing songs. Council of Nicaea (AD 325) The spread of Arianism caused the Emperor Constantine to call the Council of Nicaea. Took place from May - August 325 318 bishops attended + many others, 2000 people altogether. Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God (of one substance with the Father) Most important expression "Homoousion" - of one substance. Nicene Creed "We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father, only begotten - that is, of the substance with the Father; by Whom all things were made, both in heaven and in earth, Who for us men and for our salvation came down, and was incarnate, and was made man; suffered and rose the third day; ascended into the heavens; and will come again to judge the quick and the dead. And in the Holy Ghost." Consider the error of Jehovah's Witnesses. John 14:28 "You have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I." This scripture must be understood in the light of scripture, Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus came to earth to do the will of the Father. He became obedient to the Father but He was equal with the Father. John 10:30 "I and my Father are one." Athanasius c. 296 373 Young presbyter in Alexandria Church at time of Nicaean Council in 325. Recommended as successor by Bishop Alexander 328 AD Bishop ofAlexandria and metropolitan of Egypt and Libya. 46 Years as Bishop Tirelessly defended the doctrine of the trinity against Arianism Called "Athanasius contra mundum" (against the world) Exiled four times from his church by Arian Emperors and Julian the Apostate. 20 years spent in exile. Last years spent writing against Arianism. Athanasian creed Date of the creed probably composed after Athanasius death (d. 373). Not known in the Eastern Church until 12th century. Not authorised by any council of the Church but is one of the three major creeds upheld by Western Christendom. Apostle's creed (c. 2nd century) Nicean creed (325) Athanasian creed (c. 500) Augustine (350 430) He ran back to Alypius and opened "the Apostle" at Rom. xii. 13, 14, "Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof." "No further would I read, nor was it necessary." The peace of God was in his heart, and the shadows of doubt melted away. He marked the passage and told Alypius, the friends exchanged confidences, and Alypius applied to himself the words, a little further on, "Him that is weak in the faith receive" (Rom. xv. 1). They went in, and filled the heart of Monica with joy at the news (Conf. VIII. viii.). **5. Nestorius, patriarch of**Constantinople (AD 428 431) Brought up in cloister: Character depicted as narrow, partisan, impatient, and ignorant of human affairs Nestorianism The humanity and deity of Christ - two separate and distinct natures Heresy developed in regard to the word "Theotokos" Mary called "God bearer" or "Mother of God". Nestorius claimed God has no mother rejected this teaching. Nestorius divided the two natures of Christ so that the Logos indwelt the man Jesus. Nestorianism declared heretical at the Council of Ephesus 431. Nestorian Church developed in Assyria and India **Summary:**Church history warns us to beware of false teachers 1) Beware of those who claim higher knowledge but let the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth. 2) Beware of extreme eschatological teaching but do not quench the Holy Spirit. 3) Beware of those who deny the deity of Jesus, the Holy Spirit upholds that Jesus Christ is Lord.