Chapter 26

§ 1.

And a certain Cerinthus too in Asia taught that the world was not made by the First God, but by a certain power far separated and distant from the Royalty which is above all, and which knows not the God who is over all. And he added that Jesus was not born of a virgin (for that seemed to him impossible), but was the son of Joseph and Mary, like all other men, and had more power than men in justice, prudence and wisdom. And that after his Baptism there descended on him from that Royalty which is above all, Christ in the figure of a Dove, and that he then declared the unknown Father, and did mighty works, but that in the end Christ again soared back from Jesus, and that Jesus suffered and rose again, but Christ remained impassible, as being spiritual.

§ 2.

But those who are called Ebionites agree indeed that the world was made by God, but in the opinions which relate to the Lord they do not hold with Cerinthus and Carpocrates. But the only Gospel they use is that according to Matthew; and they reject the Apostle Paul, calling him an Apostate from the Law. And the prophetic writings they try to explain with peculiar accuracy: and they are circumcised, and persevere in the customs which belong to the Law, and in a Jewish mode of life: even to the worshipping of Jerusalem, as though it were the House of God.

§ 3.

But the Nicolaitans have for their Master Nicolaus, one of the seven who were first ordained to the Diaconate by the Apostles: and they live as though things were indifferent. However the Apocalypse of John declares most fully what they are, teaching as they do that it is indifferent whether or no one commit adultery and eat idol sacrifices. Wherefore concerning them too the Word said,¹ But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.