Pre-Nicene Teaching that Many Christians Agree – Jan. 2024

MANY CHRISTIANS TODAY AGREE

 

Legend for Cells

ma1. God is timeless or before/beyond time Tt 1:2

ma11. Religion is/can be good Jms 1:27

W = Wrote explicitly on this teaching

ma2. God knows all things in the future Ps 139:16

I = Implied this is true or opposite is false

ma3. Jesus appeared on earth prior to His birth -partial Heb7:1-16

ma12. Drinking wine is OK 1 Tim 5:23; (Implied) Tt 2:3

N = Implied since accepted Nicene Creed

ma4. The Church can be called the city of God  Heb 11:10; 12:22-23

m = Mixed: some agree, others did not

ma5. People have free will/choice Partial Lk 7:30; Josh 24:14-22; Jonah 2:8

ma13. No food sacrificed to idols

P = partial, (ex: 1 Peter 5:13 on M6 refers to those in Babylon sending greetings)

ma6. Babylon referred to Rome  partial: 1 Pet 5:13

Ma14. Christ died for all people 1 Tim 2:5-6; 4:9-10; Heb 2:9-10; 1 Jn 2:2

 

ma7. There are greater/mortal & lesser sins.Jn19:11b;1Jn5:16b-17;Ezk8:6,13,15

 

- = no reference found

ma8. Christians can lose their salvation (Partial) Heb 6:4-6;10:26-31; 2Pet2:20-22

 

X = Disagree

ma9. Mention of laity or clergy  partial 1 Tim 3:1-11; 5:17-20; Tt 1:5-9

 

blank = not researched yet

ma10. Jesus preached to the dead 1 Pet 3:19; 4:6

 

Writer totals include W’s & I’s, but not P’s

Rows: blue=Bible manuscript, white=Christian writer, khaki=spurious, green=heresy, orange=schism, pink=strange writer, yellow=foreign missions, red=Christians persecuted, brown=Christians persecuting

 

Christian writer, heretic, or Bible manuscript

Pages

Date A.D.

ma1

ma2

ma3

ma4

ma5

ma6

ma7

ma8

ma9

ma10

11

12

13

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nero and Domitian persecute Christians

50 & 95/96

est. 500K Christians. Labeled atheists; killed for refusing to worship emperor/idols

 

Clement of Rome (wrote 1 Clement)

16.25

96/98

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated 500,000 to 800,000 Christians

by 100 A.D

per Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 p.126 or World Christian Trends AD 30-2200 AD p.18

 

Papias of Hierapolis, disciple of John

2

95-110

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Presbyters” (Papias?)

0.5

95-117

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ignatius disciple of John (shortest version)

13

c.100-117

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trajan persecutes Christians

107-117

Answered Pliny the Younger’s letter. Christians not hunted, but killed if found.

 

Didache (=Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)

4.75

c.60-120

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apology of Aristides (Greek version)

4

125or138-161

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quadratus of Athens fragment (apologist)

.125

126

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

I

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Epistle of Barnabas

12.5

c.70-130

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hadrian persecutes Christians and Jews

118 & 134

Hadrian loved Greek culture, and he persecuted both Jewish & Christian people.

 

Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs

29

70-135

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

P

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bar Cochba persecutes Christians

135

Christians persecuted in Israel because they would not join Bar Cochba’s revolt.

 

p52 Jn 18:31-33,37f-38 (5 verses)

-138,100-150

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Clement (anonymous writer)

5.75

120-140

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p87 Phm 13-15,24-25 (5 verses)

100-150

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p46 Chester Beatty II - 70% Paul, Heb (1,680 verses)

100-150

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

P

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Akhmin Apocalypse of Peter (Greek)

2

135,100-150

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p104 Mt 21:34-37,43-45(?)

150

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p98 Revelation 1:13-2:1 (9 verses)

150?

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First churches in Morocco, Portugal, & south Germany

c.150

according to World Christian Trends AD 30-AD 2200 p.113

 

Polycarp to the Philippians

3.5

100-155

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Epistle to Diognetus (=Mathetes to Diognetus)

5.25

c.130-200

-

-

-

-

P

-

-

-

-

-

I

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apostolic fathers totals: all symbols except P

67.7

-155

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

2

0

0

2

0

0

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Epistle of the Apostles. Against Cerinthus, Simon, and Gnostics. Canonical in the Ethiopic Orthodox Tawahedo Church

9.8

2nd century

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leucius Charinus Acts of John (bedbugs)

24.7

2nd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gospel of Mary (ms. p463 is 200-250 A.D.)

1

2nd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shepherd of Hermas

46.25

c.115-155

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

W

-

-

P

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justin Martyr, philosopher and apologist

137

c.138-165

-

W

W

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evarestus’ Martyrdom of Polycarp

5

c.169

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marcion of Pontus, pupil of Cerdo/Cerdon. Apelles & Prepon from Marcion.

before 170-

Gnostics believed Creator was evil/foolish, rejected Old Test., mixed in paganism.

 

Menander then Satorninos/Saturnilus (ascetic Gnostics)

c.150-4th cen.

Encratite Gnostics might have come from Satorninos of Antioch.

 

Dionysius of Corinth (wrote against Marcion)

.333

170

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tatian's Diatessaron

86

c.172

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tatian. Encratite Gnostic later

18

c.172

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Christians in Austria

174

according to World Christian Trends AD 30-AD 2200 p.113

 

Basilides & his pupil Isidorus, changed from Menander 's teaching

2.5

132-135-4th

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sethians/Borborites (libertine Gnostics)

20

?-4th century

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hermetic Gnostics (no mention of Christ)

6

?-4th century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valentinians including Heracleon, Colorbasus, Marcus, & Ptolemy

23+12

c.150-4th cen.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other gnostics: Cainites, Carpocrates, Docetics, Peretae, Cerinthus, Dositheus, Monoimus, Hermogenes, Marcillinians, Melchisedecians, Nicolaus, Ophites, Secundus/Epiphanes

37

c.150-4th century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p66 Bodmer II Papyri - 92% of John (817 verses)

c.125-175

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p4, p64, p67 Lk 1:58-59,etc. Mt 26:7-8,etc. (95 verses)

c.150-175

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p90 Jn 18:36-19:7 (11 verses)

c.175

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christians of Vienna and Lugdunum (Lyons)

6.5

177

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

I

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Athenagoras (apologist)

33.5

177

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Persecution of Marcus Aurelius

162/166-180

Aurelius was a Stoic philosopher. Persecution mainly in Gaul, ended when he died

 

Claudius Apollinaris of Hierapolis

0.5

160-177/180

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melito/Meleto of Sardis (Quartodecimian)

11

170-177/180

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hegesippus (chronicler, against Gnostics)

2.5

170-180

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rhodon (against Marcion and Apelles)

0.5

180

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theophilus of Caesarea

1/8

180

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theophilus of Antioch (to Autolycus)

32

168-181/188

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

I

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ebionite Clementine Homilies (Law, Father, Son)

123.5

-188-

-

-

-

P

W

-

-

-

-

-

I

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ebionite Letter of Peter to James

2

-188-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ebionite Letter of Clement to James

4.5

-188-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early Christians warning about Ebionites

1

182-325

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irenaeus Proof of Apostolic Preaching

22.75

c.160-202

-

-

-

-

I

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irenaeus of Lyons, disciple of Polycarp

262

182-188

-

W

W

W

W

-

-

I

-

W

I

W

-

W

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pantaenus of Alexandria visited India

189

Visited the Malankara church in India. They used the Gospel of Mt. in Hebrew.

 

Gospel of Peter (Serapion finally against this)

2

180-90

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximus of Jerusalem -wrote on origin of evil

5

185-196

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs -died 180 A.D.

0.75

180-202

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Polycrates of Ephesus (Quartodecimian)

0.5

196

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christians in Bactria, Hindu Kush, and Kurdistan

196

according to World Christian Trends AD 30-AD 2200 p.113

 

p32 (=P. Rylands 5) Titus 1:1-15; 2:3-8 (21 verses)

150-200

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

I

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p103/p77 Mt 13:55-57; 14:3-5; 23:30-39 (10 verses)

200

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gaius of Rome started the Alogi heresy

0

c.200

Claimed the Gospel of John and Revelation were by Cerinthus, not John

 

p23 James 1:10-12, 15-18 (7 verses)

c.200

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0189 Acts 5:3-21 (earliest N.T. parchment) (19 verses)

Late 2nd/early 3rd

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caius and the Muratorian Canon

3

190-217

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sabellian heresy (Praxeas, Noetus)

 

c.200-257-

Patripassians believed Father, Son, & Spirit are one person.

 

Zephyrinus & Callistus of Rome (adoptionists)

 

199-222

God came upon the human man Jesus. Callistus excommunicated Sabellius.

 

Persecution of Septimus Severus

202

est. 2M Christians. A Christian helped him when ill, but didn’t repeal existing laws

 

Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas

7

c.201/205

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

I

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acts of Paul and Thecla (Tertullian said faked by a presbyter)

6

before 207

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Romans kill first known martyrs in Britain

209

Alban, Julius, and Aaron were formerly thought killed in 304/5 A.D.

 

Epitaph of Abercius of Hierapolis

0.125

190-210

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serapion of Antioch (against Marcion)

.333

191/200-210

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minucius Felix (The Octavius)

25

210

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apollonius of Ephesus (against Montanists)

1

c.210

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judah the Prince compiles the Jewish Mishnah

 

189-217

Oral traditions of the Pharisees were written down & became part of the Talmud

 

Clement of Alexandria Stromata

245.75

193-202

W

W

-

-

W

-

W

-

-

W

I

W

-

W

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clement of Alexandria Exhort. to the Heathen

34.75

c.195

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clement of Alexandria (remainder)

109

193-217/220

-

W

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

W

-

W

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tertullian (joined the Montanist Church)

736

198-220

-

-

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

P

W

W

W

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tertullian’s 5 Books Against Marcion

194

207/8

W

W

-

W

W

W

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tertullian: On Monogamy, On Modesty

41.25

213

-

-

W

-

W

-

W

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p75 Lk 3:18-22; etc. Jn 1:1-11:45,etc. (1,166 verses)

175-225

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p45 Chester Beatty I, Four gospels + Acts (833 verses)

200-225

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green Collection #425 Rom 9:18-21 some Rom 10

early 3rd cent.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p29 Acts 26:7-8,20 (3 verses)

200-225

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p30 1 Th 4:12-13,16-17, 5:3,8-10,12-18,25-28; 2 Th 1:1-2; 2:1,9-11 (25 verses)

early 3rd cent.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ebionite Recognitions of Clement (=Sinai Epitome)

134

211-231

-

W

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

W

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bardaisan/Bardesan of Syria (heretical). Against Marcion & Valentinus

11.5

154-224/232

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asterius Urbanus (against Montanists)

2.75

c.232

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elchasaite Ebionites (said Jesus God’s Son)

2.25

before 235

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theodotus of Byzantium (Jesus born only a man)

0.5

Before 235

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justin's Book of Baruch -Moses,Heracles,Christ

2.5

188-235

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Naaseni Gnostics & The Gospel of Thomas

3+6

188-235

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hippolytus, pupil of Irenaeus (undisputed)

218

222-235/6

-

-

W

W

W

W

I

-

W

W

I

-

-

I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximim persecutes Christians

235-238

First empire-wide persecution, but only of clergy. It stopped when he was killed.

 

Narrative of Zosimus

4.5

before 240

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theodotus the probable Montanist

7.75

ca.240

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions of Commodianus

16

c.240

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julius Africanus (undisputed writings)

9

232-245

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pseudo-Clement Two Epistles on Virginity

5.75+5

before 246

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ebionite Protoevangelium of James

6

145-248

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heraclas of Alexandria 1st to be called a pope

 

232-248

No Roman bishop called a pope until the Council of Arles I in 314 A.D., Next was 347 A.D.. Siricius c.384-399 was the first Roman bishop to call himself a pope.

 

p137 Mk 1:7-9,16-18

150-250

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Revised Valentinian" Tripartite Tractate

11

200-250

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p13 Heb 2:14-5:5;10:8-22;10:29-11:13;etc. 114 verses

225-250

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p5 Jn 1:23-31,33-40; 16:14-30;20:11-17,19-20,22-25

early 3rd cent.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martyrdom of the Holy Martyrs

1.5

before 250

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p1, Mt 1:1-9,12,14-20 (17 verses)

250

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p22 Jn 15:25-16:2; 16:21-32 (17 verses)

c.250

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p91 Acts 2:30-37; 2:46-47; 3:1-2

250

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p118 Rom 15:26-27,32-33; 16:1,4-7,11-12

250

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p119 Jn 1:21-28,33-38,42-44

250

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p121 Jn 19:17-19,25-26

250

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p129 1 Cor 7:36-39;8:10;9:3,14-17;9:27-10:6

250

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p131 Rom 9:18-21; 9:22-10:3

250

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nag Hamadi Apocalypse of Peter

2.5

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hermias Satire on Greek Philosophers

4.2

3rd century?

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acts of Xanthippe, Polyxena, and Rebecca

12.5

mid-3rd cent?

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexander of Cappadocia (Clem. A’.s pupil)

0.75

233-251

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bishop Stephen I of Rome Letter to Antioch

 

251

Asks why Novatian did not know there should be only one bishop in Rome

 

Sentences of Sextus (partial) originally Pythagorean, modified by Christians.

2

before 253

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origen (heterodox teacher)

825.15

225-253/254

-

W

-

W

W

-

W

-

-

W

W

W

W

W

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origen’s Prayer, Exhortation to Martyrdom

180

233-235

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

I

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severe persecution by Decius and Gallus

250-251 - 253

1st Christian schism. Can fallen Christians return, or doomed forever –Novatian

 

Novatian (his schism lasted over 200 years)

38.5

250/254-257

-

-

W

-

W

-

-

W

-

-

W

W

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treatise Against Novatian

6.5

254-256

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treatise on Rebaptism

11

c.250-258

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cyprian of Carthage (against Novatian)

250.5  

c.246-258

-

-

W

-

W

-

W

W

W

-

W

P

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roman church leaders (letters 2,29,30)

1+4.75

250-251

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lucian et al. (letters 16, 21)

.875

250-251

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caldonius to Cyprian (letter 18)

0.4

250-251

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celerinus to Lucian (letter 20)

1.25

250-251

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moyses, et al. to Cyprian (letter 25)

2.5

250

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cornelius to Cyprian (letters 45,47)

2.5 

c.246-256

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximus, et al. to Cyprian (letter 49)

0.25

c.246-256

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Firmilian of Caesarea to Cyprian (letter 74)

7.25

256

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nemesianus, et al. to Cyprian (letter 77)

0.75

254-257

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lucius and the brethren to Cyprian (letter 78)

0.5

254-257

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Felix & the rest of the martyrs to Cyprian (79)

0.25

254-257

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seventh Council of Carthage (85 bishops)

7.25

258

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pontius’ The Life and Passion of Cyprian

7.5

258

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the Public shows (pseudo-Cyprian)

8.67

after 258

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the Glory of Martyrdom (pseudo-Cyprian)

8.5

after 258

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of the Discipline and Advantage of Chastity (pseudo-Cyprian)

4.33

after 258

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhortation to Repentance (pseudo-Cyprian)

3

after 258

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valerian persecutes Christians

257-260

2nd most severe persecution. Tolerant at first, but then Macrianus influenced him.

 

Theognostus of Alexandria (Origenist)

0.5

260

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gregory Thaumaturgus (undisputed works)

28.5

240-265

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dionysius of Alexandria (Origenist)

39.5

246-265

-

-

-

-

P

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letter of Hymenaeus (Letter of the Six Bishops)

1

c.268

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dionysius of Rome (Against the Sabellians)

1

259-269

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malchion (Against Paul of Samosata)

2.5

270

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

I

W

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aurelian Persecution in the Roman Empire

270

At first tolerant, Aurelian died soon after he decided to persecute Christians.

 

Paul of Samosata, deposed bishop of Antioch

260-272

Adoptionist Monarchian, said the Logos entered into Jesus at baptism.

 

p37 Mt 26:19-52 (34 verses)

225-275,c.260

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p49/p65 Eph 4:16-29; 4:31-5:13 (29/19 verses)

225-275,c.260

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p53 Mt 26:29-30; Acts 9:33-10:1 (23 verses)

mid 3rd cent.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pierius of Alexandria (fragment)

0.5

275

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mani & Manichaean writings (Augustine left this) Manes/Mani's father was an Elchasaite.

5+17+

c.278-c.500

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anatolius of Alexandria (mathematician)

7.5

270-280

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Persian Varahran II persecutes Christians

286

Persecuted Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Manichaeans, and others

 

Ascension of Isaiah by Jewish/Christian scribes

11

150-3rd cent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p80 Jn 3:34 (1 verse)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p95 Jn 5:26-29,36-38 (7 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p106 Jn 1:29-35,40-46 (14 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p107 Jn 17:1-2,11 (3 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p108 Jn 17:23-24; 18:1-5 (7 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p109 Jn 21:18-20,23-25 (6 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p111 Lk 17:11-13,22-23 (5 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p113 Rom 2:12-13,19 (3 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p114 Heb 1:7-12 (6 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p9 1 Jn 4:11-12,14-17, p35, p69 (6,8,9 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p101 Mt 3:10b-12a; 3:16b-4:3 (6.5 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p20 Jms 2:19-3:9 (17 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p27/p40 Rom 1:24- (30/29 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p133 1 Tim 3:13-4:8  (12 verses)

3rd century

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p138 Lk 18:13-17,25-30 (11 verses)

3rd century

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chester Beatty IX-X (Septuagint Ezekiel, Dan, Esther) Ezek 36:1-23b; 38-39; 37; 40-48; Susanna, etc.

3rd century

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p47 (= Chester Beatty III) 31% of Revelation. Rev 9:10-11:3; 11:5-16:15; 16:17-17:2 (similar to Sinaiticus)

c.250-300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p115 Rev 2:1-3,13-15,27-29; 3:10-12; 5:8-9; 6:5-6; 8:3-8,11-13; 9:1-5,7-16,18-21; 10:1-4,8-11; 11:1-5,8-15,18-19; 12:1-5,8-10,12-17; 13:1-3,6-16,18; 14:1-3,5-7,10-11, 14-15,18-20; 15:1,4-7 (119 verses) (similar to A & C)

c.250-300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p28 Jn6:8-12,17-22 (11 verses), p110 Mt10:13-15,25-27

late 3rd cent.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p70 Mt 2:13-16;2:22-3:1;11:26-27;12:4-5;24:3-6,12-15

late 3rd cent.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p15/p16 1 Cor 7:18-8:4; Php 3:10-17; 4:2-8  (42 verses)

late 3rd cent.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p17 Hebrews 9:12-19 (8 verses)

late 3rd cent.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theonas of Alexandria ( Letter to Lucianus)

3

282-300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p12 Heb 1:1 (1 verse)

285-300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

King Tiridates III of Armenia

>287-300

At first persecuted Christians, then became one through Gregory the Illuminator

Estimated 5M or 14M Christians. World pop. 192M

By 300 A.D.

per Ante-Nicene Fathers v.4 p.126 or World Christian Trends: AD 30–AD 2200 p.97

 

 

p18 Rev 1:4-7 (4 verses)

300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p78 Jude 4-5,7-8 (4 verses)

300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p100 Jms 3:13-4:4; 4:9-5:1 (20 verses)

300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p38+0162+0220+0232 13+12+6+9 verses

ca.300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p102 Mt 4:11-12,22-23

ca.300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p39 John 8:14-22 (8 verses)

3rd,3/4th cent.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p132 Eph 3:21-4:2; 4:14-16

3/4th cent.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p134 Jn 1:45-2:1

3/4th cent.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0312 Lk 5:23-24,30-31; 7:9,17-18

3/4th cent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crosby-Schoyen Sahidic Coptic ms. All 1 Peter & Jonah

3/4th cent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

British Museum MS Oriental 7594 Sahidic Coptic Deuteronomy, Jonah, Acts

3/4th cent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0171 Mt 10:17-23,25-32; Lk 22:44-50,52-56,61,63-64

ca.300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p72 (=Bodmer 7,8) All of 1,2 Peter, Jude (191 verses)

ca.300

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

P

-

W

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p92 Eph 1:10f,11-13,19-21; 2Th 1:4-5,11-12 (10 verses)

ca.300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p24 Rev 5:5-8; 6:5-8 (8 verses)

early 4th cent.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David/Dudi of Basra (=David of Charax)

ca.300

Persian/Arab missionary to southern India

 

Hierax/Hieracas, Egyptian monk

ca.300

said only celibate could enter the kingdom of God. His Bible commentaries are lost.

 

Adamantius Dialog on the True Faith in God

42

c.300

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marcionite Megethius disputing Adamantius

c.2

c.300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marcionite Marcus disputing Adamantius

c.2

c.300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bardasene Marinus disputing Adamantius

c.2

c.300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valentinian Doserius disputing Adamantius

c.2

c.300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valentinian Letter of Peter to Philip

1.75

c.300

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sinaitic Old Syriac (Syr S) Mt 1:1-6:10, 7:3-12:4, 12:6-25, 12:29-16:15, 18:11-20:24, 21:20-25:15, 25:17-20, 25:25-26, 25:32-28:7, Mk 1:12-44, 2:21-4:17, 5:1-26, 6:5-16:8 (no ending), Lk 1:36-5:28, 6:12-24:52, Jn 1:25-47, 2:16-4:37, 5:6-25, 5:46-18:31, 19:40-end).

After Nicea

-

-

-

-

W

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexander of Lycopolis Of the Manichaeans

12

301

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arnobius Against the Heathen (undisputed)

126.5

297-303

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victorinus of Petau, Austria -commentator

18.5

martyred 304

I

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most severe persecution by Diocletian

284, 303-305

est. 5M Christians, some killed for not sacrificing. destroyed churches/scriptures

 

Council of Elvira (21 undisputed canons)

1

306/307

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phileas of Thmuis/Tmai, Egyptian Delta

2.5

beheaded 307

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pamphilus disciple of Pierius (Origenist)

2.75

martyred 309

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter of Alexandria (undisputed)

8.5

306,285-311

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creed of Lucian of Antioch

0.3

c.300-311

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hesychius [Egypt],Pachomius,Phileas,Theodorus

1

martyred 311

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donatus Magnus (Donatists) in North Africa

 

311-411-533

Refused to accept those who had ever surrendered their scriptures to authorities

 

Methodius (corrected Origen’s followers)

69.5

270-311/312

-

-

-

W

W

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council of Ancyra (Marcellus & 11 other bishops)

3.3333

314

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council of Arles I, France. All celebrate Easter on the same day. Ex-communicated Donatists. First mention of a pope in Rome.

0.333

Aug. 314

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council of Neocaesarea (Basil and others)

1.333

c.315

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theophilus’ Martyrdom of Habib the Deacon

5.5

events c.315

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Athanasius Against the Heathen & Incarnation

56

318

-

-

-

-

W

-

W

-

-

-

W

-

-

W

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licinius tyrannizes Christians in east Rom. Empire

315-323

Persecution because of politics, due to Christian support of his foe, Constantine.

 

Acts of Thomas (early form)

4

pre-Nicene

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Odes of Solomon. quoted by Lactantius

10

125-325

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lactantius, tutor of Constantine’s son, Crispus

274

c.303-320/325

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

W

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lactantius Epitome of the Divine Institutes

31.5

c.303-320/325

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexander of Alexandria-Origenist, undisputed

11.5

313-326

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

W

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eusebius Demonstration of the Gospel + Chronicon + Letter to Carpasia

217.6

+54.9

318-325

 

 

W

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eusebius of Caesarea Prep for the Gospel

375.7

318-325

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History

c.404

318-325

 

 

W

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eusebius’ other works (Ps 51)

3.21

318-325

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arian heresy spreads, starting in Alexandria

c.318-523

Arians believed that Jesus was God, but not the same substance as the Father.

 

Constantine makes Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire

Fall-Winter 324

Non-violently closed pagan temples so subjects would attend churches instead. Except that he executed the priests at Apollo's temple in Dydima in Asia Minor because they had told Diocletian to persecute Christians.

 

91 Christian writer totals: all symbols except P’s + Eusebius of Caesarea prior to 325 A.D.

4425+

1055.4

before 325:14

5

7

8

5

16

6

7

11

14

4

19

6

5

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ebionite heretic totals, all symbols except P's

273.25

up to 325     4

0

1

0

0

2

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

1

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gnostics, Encratites, Bardesan, all symbols except P's

269.5

up to 325:    3

1

0

1

0

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clement of Rome to Dionysius of Corinth, Vienna

263

Up to 180:    8

1

2

1

0

1

0

1

4

0

0

2

0

0

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irenaeus Against Heresies to Scillitan Martyrs

268.25

188-217:      9

0

1

1

1

1

0

0

1

0

1

1

1

0

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proof of Apostolic Preaching, Stromata

268.5

160-202:    10

1

2

1

1

2

0

1

1

0

2

2

2

0

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Athenagoras to Theophilus, Caius to Apollonius, rest of Clement of Alexandria, Asterius Urbanus

263

177-232:      9

0

1

2

0

2

0

0

1

1

1

2

1

0

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tertullian: 5 Books, Monogamy, Modesty; Theodotus to Alexander of Cappadocia

270.25

240-251:    11

1

1

0

1

2

2

1

1

1

0

1

1

0

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hippolytus, Novatian & foes

274

222-257:    11

0

0

2

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

0

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cyprian of Carthage and friends

271.75

c.246-258:   6

0

0

1

0

1

0

1

1

6

0

2

1

0

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origen’s Prayer and Exhortation to Martyrdom, Pontius to Anatolius

268.5

233-280:      4   

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

1

0

1

0

0

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adamantius, Victorinus, Pamphilus to Athanasius, Epitome, 2 Alexanders

274.3

300-326:      10 

1

0

0

1

3

1

1

1

2

0

2

0

2

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christian writer, heretic, or Bible manuscript

Pages

Date A.D.

ma1

ma2

ma3

ma4

Ma5

ma6

ma7

ma8

ma9

ma10

11

12

13

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.Biblequery.org/History/ChurchHistory/PreNiceneTeachingThatManyChristianAgreeGrid.html. References at www.Biblequery.org/History/ChurchHistory/WhatEarlyChristiansTaughtOnExperienceAndPractice.html.

by Steven M. Morrison, PhD. If you find what you think are any omissions or errors, please email webmaster@biblequery.org


 

238 years Pre-Nicea I (97-325 A.D.) 270 entries, including 17 missions, 22 non-Christian persecutions, 16 spurious works, and 34 spiritual counterfeits, 92 authors, 77 Bible copies

Apostolic period until Irenaeus 188 A.D. – 65 entries (67-2)

Irenaeus 188 A.D. until Decian persecution 251 A.D. – 73 entries (79-6)

Decian persecution until the Council of Nicea I (252-325 A.D.) - 132 entries (136-4)