Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History
Complete and Unabridged l New Updated Edition
Translated By C.F. Cruse
ISBN 978-1-56563-813-6
Tenth Printing --- January 2018
Book 5 Chapter
28
Those who followed the heresy of Artemon in the beginning
Their character, and attempt at corrupting the Scriptures
(1) In a work written by one of these authors against the heresy of Artemon, which Paul of Samosata again attempted to revive among us, there was a narrative well-adapted to the history we are now investigating. (2) This writer refuting the heresy mentioned which asserted that Christ was a mere man, since the leaders wished to boast as if were the ancient doctrine, besides many other arguments that he adduced in refutation of their impious falsehood, he gave the following account: (3) “They assert,” said he, “that all those primitive men and the apostles themselves, both received and taught these things as they are now taught by them, and that the truth of the gospel was preserved until the times of Victor, who was the thirteenth bishop of Rome from Peter. But that from his successor Zephyrinus, the truth was mutilated. (4) And perchance what they say might be credible, were it not that the holy Scriptures contradict them, also there are works of certain brethren older than Victor’s times, which they wrote in defense of the truth, and against the heresies then prevailing. I speak of Justus and Miltiades, and Tatian and Clement, and many others, in all which the divinity of Christ is asserted. (5) For who knows the works of Irenæus and Melito, and the rest, in which Christ is announced as God and man? (6) Whatever psalms and hymns were written by the brethren from the beginning, celebrate Christ the word of God, by asserting his divinity. How then could it happen, that since the doctrine of the church has been proclaimed for so many years, that those until the times of Victor. Preached the gospel after this manner? And how are they so devoid of shame to utter these falsehoods against Victor, well knowing that Victor, excommunicated that currier Theodotus, the leader and father of this God-denying apostasy, as the first one that asserted Christ was a mere man? For had Victor entertained the sentiments which their impious doctrine promulgates, how could he have expelled Theodotus, the inventor of this heresy?” (7) Thus, much with respect to Victor.
After this author had superintended the church, Zephyrinus was appointed his successor about the ninth year of the reign of Severus. The same author who composed the book already mentioned respecting the founder of this heresy, also added an account of another event that occurred in the times of Zephyrinus, in these words: (8) “I shall remind many of the brethren of a fact,” said he. “that happened in our days, which, had it happened in Sodom, I think would have led them to reflection. There was a certain Natalius, who lived not in remote times, but in our own. (9) This man was seduced on a certain occasion by Asclepiodotus, and another Theodotus, a moneychanger. Both of these were disciples of Theodotus the currier, the first that had been excommunicated by Victor, then bishop, as before said, on account of this opinion or rather insanity. (10) Natlius was persuaded by them to be created a bishop of this heresy, with a salary from them of one hundred and fifty denarii a month. (11) Being connected, therefore, with them, he was frequently brought to reflection by the Lord in his dreams. For the merciful God and our Lord Jesus Christ, would not that he had been a witness of his won sufferings, should perish, tough he was out of the church. (12) But as he paid but little attention to these visions, being ensnared both by the desire of presiding among them, and that foul gain which destroys so many, he was finally lashed by holy angels, through the whole night, and was thus most severly punished; so that he rose early in the morning, and putting on sackcloth and covered with ashes, in great haste, and bathed in tears, he fell down before Zephyrinus the bishop, rolling at the feet not only f the clergy but even of the laity, and thus moved the compassionate church of Christ with his tears. And, although he implored their clemency with much earnestness, and pointed to the strokes of the lashes he had received, he was at last scarcely admitted to communion.”
(13) To this, we will also add other extracts from the same writer respecting this sect: “The sacred Scriptures,” said he, “have been boldly perverted by them; the rule of the ancient faith they have set aside, Christ they have renounced, not inquiring what the holy Scripture declared, but zealously laboring what form of reasoning may be devised to establish their impiety. And should any one present a passage of divine truth, they examined first whether a connected of disjoined form of syllogism can be formed from it. (14) But they abandon the holy Scriptures for the study of geometry, as being of the earth they talk of the earth, and know not him that cometh from above. Euclid, therefore, is industriously measured by them. Aristotle and Theophrastus, are also admired, and as to Galen, he is even perhaps worshipped by some. (15) But as to these men who abuse the acts of the unbelievers, to their own heretical views, and who adulterate the simplicity of that faith contained in the holy Scriptures, by the wily arts of impious men; where is the necessity of asserting that they are not right in the faith? For this purpose, they fearlessly may their hands upon holy Scriptures, saying that they have corrected them. (16) And that I do not say this against them without foundation, whoever wishes may learn; for should any one collect and compare their copies one with another, he would find them greatly at variance among themselves. (17) For the copies of Asclepiodotus will be found to differ from those of Theodotus. Copies of many you may find in abundance, altered, by eagerness of their disciples to insert each one his own corrections, as they call them, i.e. their corruptions. Again, the copies of Hermophilus do not agree with these, for those of Appollonius are not consistent with themselves. For one may compare those which were prepared before by them, with those which they afterwards perverted for their own objects, and you will find them widely differing. (18) But what a stretch of audacity this aberration indicates, it is hardly probable themselves can be ignorant. For either they do not believe that the holy Scriptures were uttered by the holy Spirit, and they are thus infidels, or they deem themselves wiser than the holy Spirit, and what alternative is there but to pronounce them demoniacs? For neither can they deny that they have been guilty of the daring act, when the copies were written with their own hand, nor, did they receive such Scriptures from those by whom they were instructed in the elements of the faith; nor can they show copies from which they were transcribed. (19) But some f them did not even deign, or think it worthwhile, to mutilate the Scriptures, but directly denying the law and the prophets by their lawless and impious doctrine, under the pretext of grace, they sunk down to the lowest depts of perdition.” But let this suffice on this subject.
Note:
As we can see many opinions differed from another, the indignant hand of man argued with the in ignoble hands of mankind that produced the written Scriptures. So, called holy and of God but as we can see mankind has stamped his own opinion on all scripture. Some for power, money, many did not want certain peoples to be involved or seen as God’s children.
The holy bible was and is still to this day used as a weapon to be wheeled against others to win approval of the masses. How many civilizations were enslaved, overthrown or conquered by human hands with a Holy Bible in them to oppress the people they wished to take over.
How many wars have been fought in the name of God? Do we really believe this is what Jesus Christ and His Father our creator had in mind for the wisdom and words of our Father and his Son?
Even today we find the history of the holy churches had dirty hands, indigenous children leftover from the wars against the native American people. Thousands left in care of the Catholic Churches for educating and indoctrination into our society’s, only to be found in mass unmarked graves in Canada 500 in one site 800 in another. Is this the teachings of Jesus Christ? I think not!
The main thing forgotten by all is Jesus brought peace, mercy and love, not hatred, judgement, bigotry, racism and division for us. How then can we stand apart and not recognize these facts. Are we to continue to use the words of God as weapons against one another?
Or! Can we find the only important message in it all is to care for one another no matter what culture, race or civilization? Jesus turned his cheek and forgave those who attacked him! Why, not his children, was Jesus only our Savior or did he present himself to be our teacher and example. Mankind finds wealth and greed more valuable than spiritual wisdom.
After all there is but one race on this earth God created it and we are it! The human race. All brothers and sisters under one creator our Father and His Son, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Remember and understand God has presented himself to mankind from the beginning, some in different ways from others’ the endogenous peoples of the world who knew only the powers of nature. May not have know the name Jesus Christ, or God our Father but they knew and understood His creations. The nature of the forest, sky, and all the spirits of the animals.
Hey may have not known his name but they knew his power and creations, in their early culture they look for the visit from the Great White Father. This is why they were able to be fooled by the visit of strangers with advanced technology’s, sailing ships, gun powder and metal weapons.
And what was their reward for their acceptance being judged as unworthy savages, who in the first year taught the white man how to survive in this new land, only to face betrayal.
“Amen”
Sincerely,
Rev. Joseph E. Esquivel
God’s Faith in Man Church ULC