Difference between revisions of "Marcellians"

<p> A sect of ancient heretics towards the close of the second century; so called from [[Marcellus]] of Ancyra, their leader, who was accused of reviving the errors of Sabellius. Some, however, are of opinion that Marcellus was orthodox, and that they were his enemies the Arians, who fathered their errors upon him. St. [[Epiphanius]] observes, that there was a great deal of dispute with regard to the real tenets of Marcellus; but as to his followers, it is evident that they did not own the three hypostases; for Marcellus considered the Son and [[Holy]] [[Ghost]] as two emanations from the divine nature, which, after performing their respective offices, were to return again into the substance of the Father; and this opinion is altogether incompatible with the belief of three distinct persons of the Godhead. </p>

<p> a sect of heretics who flourished towards the close of the 4th century; so called from Marcellus of Ancyra, whom the [[Arians]] unjustly accused of reviving the errors of Sabellius. Epiphanius informs us that great diversity of opinion prevailed in his day on the justness of charging Marcellus of [[Ancyra]] with the heretical tendencies of the so-called Marcellians. The latter denied the three hypostases, holding the Son and the Holy Ghost as two emanations from the divine nature, to exist independently only until the performance of their respective offices, and then to return again into the substance of the Father. (See Marcellus Of Ancyra). </p>