Via Patrum

The Church

Heresy and Schism

8 passages · 30 more listed below · Broad agreement in this library · Against: Gnosticism, Montanism

Boundaries of the catholic faith.

  1. 1st century1 passage
  2. 2nd century5 passages
  3. 3rd century2 passages

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The Didache Teaches: Flee heresy

fl. c. 100 AD · Didache 11

Welcome anyone who comes and teaches you everything I have said before. But if that teacher turns around and teaches something different in order to undermine it, do not listen to him. On the other hand, if he teaches in order to add righteousness and knowledge of the Lord, welcome him as you would the Lord.

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Greek

Ὃς ἂν οὑν ἐλθὼν διδάξῃ ὑμᾶς ταῦτα πάντα τὰ προειρημένα, δέξασθε αὐτόν: ἐὰν δὲ αὐτὸς ὁ διδάσκων στραφεὶς διδάσκῃ ἄλλην διδαχὴν εἰς τὸ καταλῦσαι, μὴ αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε: εἰς δὲ τὸ προσθεῖναι δικαιοσύνην καὶ γνῶσιν κυρίου, δέξασθε αὐτὸν ὡς κύριον.

Ignatius of Antioch Teaches: Flee heresy

d. c. 110 AD · Epistle to the Philadelphians 2

You are children of the light of truth (Ephesians 5:8), so run from division and from evil teaching. Wherever the shepherd is, be there, following like sheep. Many wolves wear a trustworthy face, and with wicked pleasure they carry off as captives those who are running toward God.

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Greek

Τέκνα οὖν φωτὸς ἀληθείας, φεύγετε τὸν μερισμὸν καὶ τὰς κακοδιδασκαλίας: ὅπου δὲ ὁ ποιμήν ἐστιν, ἐκεῖ ὡς πρόβατα ἀκολουθεῖτε.

Ignatius of Antioch Teaches: Flee heresy

d. c. 110 AD · Epistle to the Smyrnaeans 2

All of this he suffered for us, so that we might be saved. And he suffered truly, just as he truly raised himself. Some unbelievers say his suffering was only an appearance.

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Greek

Ταῦτα γὰρ πάντα ἔπαθεν δἰ ἡμᾶς, ἵνα σωθῶμεν: καὶ ἀληθῶς ἔπαθεν, ὡς καὶ ἀληθῶς ἀνέστησεν ἑαυτόν, οὐχ ὥσπερ ἄπιστοί τινες λέγουσιν, τὸ δοκεῖν αὐτὸν πεπονθέναι, αὐτοὶ το δοκεῖν ὄντες: καὶ καθὼς φρονοῦσιν, καὶ συμβήσεται αὐτοῖς, οὖσιν ἀσωμάτοις καὶ δαιμονικοῖς.

Ignatius of Antioch Teaches: Flee heresy

d. c. 110 AD · Epistle to the Trallians 6

So I urge you, or rather not I, but the love of Jesus Christ urges you: eat only Christian food, and keep clear of every foreign plant. That plant is heresy. Such people blend Jesus Christ in with themselves, putting on a show of trustworthiness.

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Greek

Παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς, οὐκ ἐγώ, ἀλλ’ ἡ ἀγάπη Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ: μόνῃ τῇ χριστιανῇ τροφῇ χρῆσθε, ἀλλοτρίας δὲ βοτάνης ἀπέχεσθε, ἥτις ἐστὶν αἵρεσις:

Irenaeus of Lyons Teaches: Schism cuts

c. 130–c. 202 AD · Against Heresies 4.33.7-8

He shall also judge those who give rise to schisms, who are destitute of the love of God, and who look to their own special advantage rather than to the unity of the Church;

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Tertullian Teaches: Flee heresy

c. 155–c. 220 AD · Prescription against Heretics 37

If this is how things stand—that truth is awarded to us who walk the rule the Church received from the Apostles, the Apostles from Christ, and Christ from God—then the rationale behind our position is settled: heretics must not be admitted to a contest over Scripture.

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Cyprian of Carthage Teaches: Schism cuts

c. 200–258 AD · On the Unity of the Church 8

The Apostle Paul, moreover, urging upon us this same unity, beseeches and exhorts, saving, "I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you;

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Cyprian of Carthage Rejects: Heretic baptism

c. 200–258 AD · Epistle 69.3

To accept the baptism of heretics and schismatics is to endorse what they have done. There can be no empty part alongside a valid part. If someone can baptize, they can also give the Holy Spirit.

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