Pre-nicene Teaching

< Pre-Nicene Teaching blank Grid – Dec. 2018 version

		Legend for Cells
1.	11.	W = Wrote explicitly on this teaching
2.	12.	I = Implied this is true or opposite is false
3.	13.	N = Implied since accepted Nicene Creed
4.	14.	J = Mentioned as by Jesus, not John
5.	15.	Q = Quote of 1 or more verses
6.	16.	m = Mixed: some agree, others did not
7.	17.	½ = quote of ½ a verse A = Allusion
8.	18.	P = partial
9.	19.	- = no reference found
10.	20.	X = Disagree blank = not researched yet

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

Christian writer, heretic, or Bible manuscript

Pages

Date A.D.

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 ¼

97/98

An estimated 500,000 Christians

by 100 A.D.

According to the Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 p.126

Papias of Hierapolis, disciple of John

95-110

“Presbyters” (Papias?)

-95-117

Ignatius disciple of John (shortest version)

c.100-117

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 ¾

before 125

Apology of Aristides (Greek version)

125or138-161

Quadratus of Athens fragment (apologist)

1/8

126

Letter to Diognetus (=Mathetes to Diognetus)

5 ¼

c.130

Hadrian persecutes Christians and Jews

118 & 134

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

Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs

70-135

Bar Cochba persecutes Christians

135

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

Epistle of Barnabas

12 ½

100-150

p52, p104, p87. Jn 18:31-33,37f-38, + Mt 21:34-37,43,54(?); + Phm 13-15,24-25 (5+5+4 verses)

-138,100-150

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

100-150

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

150?

2 Clement (anonymous writer)

5 ¾

c.150

Polycarp to the Philippians

3 ½

100-155

Apostolic fathers totals: all symbols except P

67.5

-155

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

2nd century

Shepherd of Hermas

46 ½

c.160

Justin Martyr, philosopher, apologist

116.5

c.138-165

Evarestus Martyrdom of Polycarp

c.169

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

before 170-

Gnostics believed Creator was evil or foolish, rejected Old T., mixed in paganism.

Menander then Satorninos/Saturnilus (ascetic Gnostics)

c.150-4th cen.

Cerdo & Menander from Simon in Acts. Encratite gnostics came from Saturnilus.

Dionysius of Corinth (wrote against Marcion)

1/3

170

Tatian's Diatessaron

died 172

Tatian, Encratite Gnostic later

died 172

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

2.5

132-135-4th

Sethians/Borborites (libertine Gnostics)

c.150-4th cen.

Hermetic Gnostics (no mention of Christ)

c.150-4th cen.

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

c.150-4th century

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

c.125-175

p4 Luke 1:58-59; 1:62-2:1,6-7; 3:8-4:2,29-32,34-35; 5:3-8; 5:30-6:16 p64 Mt 26:7-8,10,14-15,22-23,31-33 p67 Mt 3:9,15; 5:20-22,25-28 (95 verses)

c.150-175

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

c.175

Christians of Vienna and Lugdunum (Lyons)

6 ½

177

Athenagoras (apologist)

33 ½

177

Persecution of Marcus Aurelius

162/166-180

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

Melito/Meleto of Sardis (Quartodecimian)

170-177

Claudius Apollinaris of Hierapolis

160-177/180

Hegesippus (chronicler)

2 ½

170-180

Rhodon (against Marcion and Apelles)

180

Theophilus of Caesarea

1/8

180

Theophilus of Antioch (to Autolycus)

168-181/188

Ebionite Clementine Homilies (Law, Father, Son)

123 ½

-188-

Ebionite Letter of Peter to James

-188-

Ebionite Letter of Clement to James

4 ½

-188-

Early Christians warning about Ebionites

182-325

Irenaeus Proof of Apostolic Preaching

22.75

c.160-202

Irenaeus of Lyons, disciple of Polycarp

262

182-188

Gospel of Peter (Serapion finally against it)

180-190

Maximus of Jerusalem (wrote on origin of evil)

185-196

Polycrates of Ephesus (Quartodecimian)

196

Akhmin Apocalypse of Peter (Greek)

100-200

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

150-200

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

200

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

ca.200

An estimated 2 million Christians

by 200 A.D.

According to the Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 p.126

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

180-202

Caius and the Muratorian Canon

190-217

Sabellian heresy (Praxeas, Noetus)

c.200-257-

Patripassians believed the Father, Son, & Spirit were 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 did not repeal existing laws.

Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas

c.201/205

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

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 Hieropolis in Phrygia Salutaris

0.125

190-210

Serapion of Antioch (against Marcion)

1/3

191/200-210

Minucius Felix (The Octavius)

210

Apollonius of Ephesus (against Montanists)

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

Clement of Alexandria Protorepticus

34.75

c.195

Clement of Alexandria (remainder)

109

193-217/220

Tertullian (joined the Montanist Church)

692.75

198-220

Tertullian’s 5 Books Against Marcion

194

207/208

Tertullian: On Monogamy, On Modesty

41.25

208-220

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

175-225

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

175-225

p45 Chester Beatty I, 4 gospels + Acts (833 verses)

200-225

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

early 3rd

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

ca.225

Ebionite Recognitions of Clement

134

211-231

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

11 ½

154-224/232

Asterius Urbanus (against Montanists)

2 ¾

c.232

Elchasaite Ebionites (said Jesus God’s Son)

2 ¼

before 235

Theodotus of Byzantium (Jesus born only a man)

1/2

before 235

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

2.5

188-235

Naaseni Gnostics & their Gospel of Thomas

3+6

188-235

Hippolytus, pupil of Irenaeus (undisputed)

218

222-235/236

Maximin Thrax persecutes Christians

235-238

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

Narrative of Zosimus

4 ½

before 240

Theodotus the probable Montanist

7 ¾

ca.240

Instructions of Commodianus

c.240

Julius Africanus (undisputed writings)

232-245

Ebionite Protoevangelium of James

145-248

Heraclas of Alexandria 1st to be called a pope

232-249

No Roman bishop called a pope until Julius of Rome in 347 A.D. Siricius c.384-399 was the 1st Roman bishop to call himself a pope.

"Revised Valentinian" Tripartite Tractate

200-250

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

225-250

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

early 3rd cent.

Martyrdom of the Holy Martyrs

1 ½

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

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

p80 Jn 3:34 (1 verse) p95 Jn 5:26-29,36-38 (7 verses)

3rd century

Nag Hamadi Apocalypse of Peter

2 ½

3rd century

pseudo-Clement Two Epistles on Virginity

5¾ + 5

3rd century

pseudo-Justin Martyr (anonymous works)

20.5

233-251

Acts of Xanthippe, Polyxena, and Rebecca

12 ½

mid 3rd cent?

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

233-251

Sentences of Sextus (partial)

before 253

Origen (heterodox teacher)

562

225-253/254

Origen’s Prayer, Exhortation to Martyrdom

180

233-235

Severe persecution by Decius and Gallus

250-251 - 253

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

First Christian monks and hermits

250-251

Peter the Hermit and others. Antony of Egypt (270-356 A.D.) was a bit later.

Novatian (his schism lasted over 200 years)

38 ½

250/254-257

Treatise Against Novatian

6 ½

254-256

Treatise on Rebaptism

c.250-258

Cyprian of Carthage (against Novatian)

250 ½

c.246-258

Roman church leaders (letters 2,29,30)

1+4 ¾

250-251

Lucian et al. (letters 16, 21)

7/8

250-251

Caldonius to Cyprian (letter 18)

250-251

Celerinus to Lucian (letter 20)

1 ¼

250-251

Moyses, et al. to Cyprian (letter 25)

2 ½

250

Cornelius to Cyprian (letters 45,47)

1 ¼

c.246-256

Maximus, et al. to Cyprian (letter 49)

c.246-256

Firmilian of Caesarea to Cyprian (letter74)

7 ¼

256

Nemesianus, et al. to Cyprian (letter77)

254-257

Lucius and the brethren to Cyprian (letter78)

254-257

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

254-257

Seventh Council of Carthage (85 bishops)

7 ¼

258

Pontius’ The Life and Passion of Cyprian

7 ½

258

Valerian persecutes Christians

257-260

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

Theognostus of Alexandria (Origenist)

260

Gregory Thaumaturgus (undisputed works)

28 ½

240-265

Dionysius of Alexandria (Origenist)

39 ½

246-265

Dionysius of Rome (Against the Sabellians)

259-269

Malchion (Against Paul of Samosata)

2 ½

270

Aurelian Persecution

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, p49/p65, p53 34, 29/19, 23 verses (Mt, Acts, Paul)

225-275,c.260

Pierius of Alexandria (fragment)

275

Anatolius of Alexandria (mathematician)

7 ½

270-280

p106 Jn 1:29-35,40-46 (14 verses), p107, p108, p109, p111, p113, p114 (3+7+6+5+3+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 Jms2:19-3:9, p27/p40 Rom1:24- (17, 30/29 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)

282-300

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

An estimated 5 million Christians

by 300 A.D.

According to the Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 p.126

p18 Rev 1:4-7 (4 verses)

300

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

300

p125 1 Pet 1:23-2:5; 2:7-12

300

p130 Heb 9:9-12,19-23

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

3rd/4th cent.

p134 Jn 1:45-2:1

3rd/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

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.

Adamantius Dialog on the True Faith in God

c.300

Marcionite Megethius disputing Adamantius

c.2

c.300

Marcionite Marcus disputing Adamantius

c.2

c.300

Bardasene Marinus disputing Adamantius

c.2

c.300

Valentinians Doserius & Valens vs. 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, 25-26, 25:32-28:7, Mk 1:12-44, 2:21-4:17, 5:1-26, 6:5-16:8, 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

3/4th century

Alexander of Lycopolis Of the Manichaeans

301

Arnobius Against the Heathen (undisputed)

126 ½

297-303

Victorinus of Petau, Austria -commentator

18 ½

martyred 304

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)

306/307

Phileas of Thmuis/Tmai, Egyptian Delta

2 ½

beheaded 307

Pamphilus disciple of Pierius (Origenist)

2 ¾

martyred 309

Creed of Lucian of Antioch

c.300-311

Peter of Alexandria (undisputed)

8 ½

306,285-311

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)

79 ½

270-311/312

Council of Ancyra (about 12 bishops)

3 1/3

314

Council of Arles I, France. All celebrate Easter on the same day. Ex-communicated Donatists

0.33

Aug. 314

Council of Neocaesarea (Basil and others)

1 1/3

c.315

Martyrdom of Habib the Deacon by Theophilus

5 ½

events c.315

Athanasius Against the Heathen & Incarnation

318

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)

pre-Nicene

Lactantius, tutor of Constantine’s son

274

c.303-320/325

Lactantius’ Epitome of the Divine Institutes

31½

c.303-320/325

Alexander of Alexandria-Origenist, undisputed

11½

313-326

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.

85 Christian writer totals: all symbols except P’s

4174.6

up to 325:

Ebionite heretic totals, all symbols except P's

273.25

up to 325:

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

269.75

up to 325:

Clement of Rome to Dionysius of Corinth, Vienna, pseudo-Justin

263

up to 180:

Irenaeus Against Heresies to Scillitan Martyrs

268.25

182-217:

Proof of Apostolic Preaching, Stromata

268.5

160-202:

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

263

177-232:

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

270.25

240-251:

Hippolytus, Novatian & foes

274

222-254:

Cyprian of Carthage and friends

271.75

c.246-258:

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

267.5

233-280:

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

273

300-326:

Christian writer, heretic, or Bible manuscript

Pages

Date A.D.

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