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Epistle to the Trallians (LongVersion)
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Chapter 11:—Avoid the deadly mistakes of the Docetists.
AVOID THOSE WICKED FOLLOWERS OF HIS: like Simon his firstborn son, Menander, Basilides, and their entire wicked group of followers, who worship a man, and whom the prophet Jeremiah also calls cursed. Flee from the impure Nicolaitanes, falsely so called, who are lovers of pleasure and given to slanderous speeches. Also avoid the children of the evil one, Theodotus and Cleobulus, who produce deadly fruit; if anyone tastes it, they die instantly—not just a temporary death, but one that lasts forever. These men are not planted by the Father but are an accursed brood. The Lord says, “Let every plant my heavenly Father has not planted be uprooted.” If they were branches of the Father, they would not be “enemies of the cross of Christ” but rather would be against those who “killed the Lord of glory.” But now, by denying the cross and being ashamed of the passion, they cover the transgression of the Jews, fighters against God, and murderers of the Lord; for calling them merely murderers of the prophets would be insufficient. But Christ invites you to share in His immortality through His passion and resurrection, since you are His members.