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| Chapter XXVI.—Doctrines of Cerinthus, the Ebionites, and Nicolaitanes.
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Chapter XXVI.—Doctrines of Cerinthus,
the Ebionites, and Nicolaitanes.
1. Cerinthus, again, a man who was
educated2955
| 2955 We here follow
the text as preserved by Hippolytus. The Latin has, “a certain man
in Asia.” | in the wisdom of the Egyptians, taught that
the world was not made by the primary God, but by a certain Power far
separated from him, and at a distance from that Principality who is
supreme
over the universe, and ignorant of him who is above
all. He represented Jesus as having not been born of a virgin, but as
being the son of Joseph and Mary according to the ordinary course of
human generation, while he nevertheless was more righteous, prudent, and
wise than other men. Moreover, after his baptism, Christ descended upon
him in the form of a dove from the Supreme Ruler, and that then he
proclaimed the unknown Father, and performed miracles. But at last Christ
departed from Jesus, and that then Jesus suffered and rose again, while
Christ remained impassible, inasmuch as he was a spiritual being.
2. Those who are
called Ebionites agree that the world was made by God; but their opinions
with respect to the Lord are similar to those of Cerinthus and
Carpocrates. They use the Gospel according to Matthew only, and repudiate
the Apostle Paul, maintaining that he was an apostate from the law. As to
the prophetical writings, they endeavour to expound them in a somewhat
singular manner: they practise circumcision, persevere in the observance
of those customs which are enjoined by the law, and are so Judaic in
their style of life, that they even adore Jerusalem as if it were the
house of God.
3. The
Nicolaitanes are the followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven
first ordained to the diaconate by the apostles.2956
| 2956 [This is disputed by other primitive
authorities.] | They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The
character of these men is very plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of
John, [when they are represented] as teaching that it is a matter of
indifference to practise adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
Wherefore the Word has also spoken of them thus: “But this thou
hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also
hate.”2957
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