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Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About Cerinthus And Early Heresy

Early Christian writers consistently describe Cerinthus as a false teacher who denied the true creation, denied the virgin birth, and taught that Christ came on Jesus after the baptism and then left before the suffering. Irenaeus and Hippolytus are the main witnesses for these details, and Dionysius of Alexandria adds that Cerinthus also taught an earthly reign of Christ filled with bodily pleasures.

The strongest evidence is broad on Cerinthus as a heretic and on the baptism-and-Christ teaching, while the millennial and pleasure-filled kingdom details come from a smaller set of later witnesses. Some related cards are only general attacks on heresy and do not add much about Cerinthus himself.

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Key Passages

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31 references

Supporting Passages

2 John 1:7 primary

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.