Against Heresies: Book III

SINCE WE HAVE SUCH EVIDENCE: it is not necessary to seek the truth elsewhere, as it is easily obtained from the Church. The apostles, like a wealthy person depositing money in a bank, entrusted the Church with everything relating to the truth. Therefore, anyone who wishes can access the water of life from her. She is the gateway to life; all others are thieves and robbers. For this reason, we must avoid them and diligently choose the Church's teachings, holding onto the tradition of the truth. In the event of a dispute over a significant question among us, should we not turn to the most ancient Churches with which the apostles frequently interacted and learn from them what is certain and clear about the matter at hand? What if the apostles had not left us their writings? In that case, wouldn’t it be necessary to follow the tradition they passed down to those to whom they entrusted the Churches?

MANY NATIONS OF THOSE BARBARIANS WHO BELIEVE IN CHRIST AGREE WITH THIS PATH: having salvation written in their hearts by the Spirit, without paper or ink. They carefully preserve the ancient tradition, believing in one God, the Creator of heaven, earth, and everything in it, through Christ Jesus, the Son of God. Because of His surpassing love for His creation, He humbled Himself to be born of the virgin, uniting man through Himself to God. After suffering under Pontius Pilate, rising again, and ascending in splendor, He will come in glory as the Savior of the saved and the Judge of the judged, sending those who distort the truth and despise His Father and His coming into eternal fire. Those who have believed this faith without written documents are barbarians regarding our language; however, concerning doctrine, behavior, and way of life, they are very wise due to their faith. They please God by conducting themselves with righteousness, chastity, and wisdom. If anyone were to preach the inventions of the heretics to them in their language, they would immediately stop their ears and flee as far as possible, not even enduring to listen to the blasphemous speech. Therefore, through the ancient tradition of the apostles, they do not allow their minds to accept anything from the strange language of these teachers, among whom neither Church nor doctrine has ever been established.

BEFORE VALENTINUS: the followers of Valentinus didn't exist; nor did the followers of Marcion exist before Marcion. In short, none of those malicious individuals I previously mentioned existed before the founders and creators of their corrupt teachings. Valentinus came to Rome during the time of Hyginus, thrived under Pius, and stayed until Anicetus. Cerdon, who came before Marcion, also arrived during Hyginus's time, the ninth bishop. He often entered the Church, openly confessed, stayed sometimes teaching secretly, and then confessed again publicly. Ultimately, after being condemned for false teaching, he was excommunicated from the fellowship of the brethren. Marcion followed him and thrived under Anicetus, who was the tenth bishop. The rest, known as Gnostics, originated from Menander, a disciple of Simon, as I have shown; each considered himself both the founder and chief priest of the doctrine he was initiated into. However, all these groups (the Marcosians) emerged into their apostasy much later, even during a transitional period of the Church.