What Early Christians Said About Arianism
Early Christian writers rejected Arianism because they believed it denied Christ’s full Godhead. Alexander of Alexandria is the main witness here, and Bible passages like John 1:1 and 1 John 4:3 fit the same line of thought. The evidence is strongest for an early anti-Arian view, while some other cards are only general warnings against false teaching.
68 early-church witnesses · 96 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about arianism?
Early Christian writers strongly rejected Arian teaching and treated it as a denial of Christ’s full Godhead. Alexander of Alexandria is the clearest witness here, calling Arian teaching blasphemy against Christ and saying it tried to make the Son only like other creatures; related Bible passages such as John 1:1 and 1 John 4:3 were used to support that reading.
The witness is broad enough to show an early anti-Arian line, but it is also mixed because many of the available cards are only loosely related or are general anti-heresy statements rather than direct Arian texts. The direct evidence is strongest in Alexander, with nearby support from other anti-heretical writers and key New Testament passages about Christ and false teaching.
Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Alexander of Alexandria directly says Arian teaching denied the Godhead of Christ.
- John 1:1 and 1 John 4:3 were key passages behind the early Christian answer.
- Some other early writers support the same anti-heresy theme, but many cards are only indirect.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians say Arianism denied Christ’s Godhead?
The clearest source says the Arians denied the Godhead of Christ and set themselves against apostolic doctrine. Another Alexander fragment repeats that their words were unscriptural blasphemy against Christ.
-
Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Direct teaching
For since they call in question all pious and apostolic doctrine, after the manner of the Jews, they have constructed a workshop for contending against Christ, denying the Godhead of our Saviour, and preaching that He is only the equal of all others.
-
Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Direct teaching
For those inventors of stupid fables say, that we who turn away with aversion from the impious and unscriptural blasphemy against Christ, of those who speak of His coming from the things which are not assert, that there are two unbegottens.
-
Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Direct teaching
But these by all their words have attempted to do away with the Godhead of Christ, have made those seem righteous, since they have come nearer to Antichrist.
-
Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Supporting witness
And the words invented by them, and spoken contrary to the mind of Scripture, are as follows:—
-
Dionysius of Alexandria, Epistles and Epistolary Fragments Supporting witness
3. For since of the doctrine, which lately has been set on foot at Ptolemais, a city of Pentapolis, implores and full of blasphemy against Almighty God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Did early Christians connect Arian-style teaching with antichrist language?
The supplied sources describe those who diminish Christ as coming near to Antichrist and use antichrist language for those who reject the incarnation or deny Christ’s truth. The Bible cards reinforce that pattern with 1 John and 2 John.
-
John 1:1 Background
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
-
1 John 4:3 Direct teaching
and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
-
1 John 2:22 Supporting witness
Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
-
2 John 1:9 Supporting witness
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
-
1 Timothy 6:3 Supporting witness
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
-
2 John 1:7 Supporting witness
For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Common Questions
Did early Christians believe Arianism was false?
Yes. Alexander of Alexandria directly rejects it as blasphemy against Christ and a denial of His Godhead.
Which Bible passages were used against Arianism?
John 1:1 and 1 John 4:3 are the clearest passages in this set.
Source Index for Arianism
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 96 ranked source links for deeper study.
Source index 96 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 68 included
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
-
Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to 1 Timothy 6:3
-
Unknown, Unknown Work
Bible Passages 28 included
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.
