Encratites
 |
The Encratites ("self-controlled") were an
Early history
The first mention of a Christian sect of this name occurs in Irenaeus.[4] They are mentioned more than once by Clement of Alexandria,[5] who says[6] that they are named from "Temperance". Hippolytus of Rome refers to them as "acknowledging what concerns God and Christ in like manner with the Church; in respect, however, of their mode of life, passing their days inflated with pride"; "abstaining from animal food, being water-drinkers and forbidding to marry"; "estimated Cynics rather than Christians". On the strength of this passage it is supposed that some Encratites were perfectly orthodox in doctrine, and erred only in practice.[citation needed] Origen says they did not acknowledge St. Paul’s Epistles.[7]
Later history
Somewhat later this sect received new life and strength by the accession of a certain
.Suppression
In the Edict of 382,
See also
- Acts of Philip: A book that Encratites may have written
- List of Gospels
References
- ^ Eusebius, Church History: iv. 28, 29
- Joseph Mitsuo Kitagawa, Frank E. Reynolds, Theodore M. Ludwig, 208
- ^ 1 Timothy 4:1-4: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
- Against Heresies: I, xxviii)
- ^ Paedagogus, II, ii, 33; Stromata, I, xv; VII, xvii
- ^ Stromata 7
- ^ Origen, Contra Celsum, Book V, Chapter 65
- Historia Ecclesiastica, IV, xxix
- ISBN 978-0801061233 [1]
- ^ (Hær., xiv)
- ^ "Saccophori - Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature -".
External links
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Encratites". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
