Against Heresies: Book I
Chapter 26: The Teachings of Cerinthus, the Ebionites, and the Nicolaitanes
Cerinthus, a man educated in Egyptian wisdom, taught that the world was not created by the primary God, but by a certain Power far removed from Him, at a distance from the supreme Principal over the universe, and ignorant of the one who is above all. He claimed that Jesus was not born of a virgin, but was the son of Joseph and Mary according to the regular process of human birth, although he was more righteous, prudent, and wise than other men. Furthermore, after his baptism, Christ descended on him in the form of a dove from the Supreme Ruler, and then he proclaimed the unknown Father and performed miracles. However, eventually Christ departed from Jesus, and then Jesus suffered and rose again, while Christ remained unaffected, as he was a spiritual being.
2. Those who are called Ebionites agree that the world was made by God; but their views about the Lord are similar to those of Cerinthus and Carpocrates. They use only the Gospel according to Matthew and reject the Apostle Paul, insisting that he was an apostate from the law. Regarding the prophetic writings, they attempt to interpret them in a rather unique manner: they practice circumcision, persist in following the customs prescribed by the law, and are so Judaic in their way of life that they even worship Jerusalem as if it were the house of God.
The Nicolaitanes are followers of Nicolas, who was one of the first seven ordained to the diaconate by the apostles. They live lives of unrestrained indulgence. The character of these people is clearly described in the Apocalypse of John, where they are depicted as teaching that it is acceptable to commit adultery and to eat food sacrificed to idols. Therefore, the Word has spoken of them in this way: "But you have this, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate."