Marcion and Faith Only

As confusion grew and division between the superiority of Apostles, the church had been influenced throughout the empire, figures arose to influence church doctrine in lasting ways.

Marcion was a resident in Rome who moved there from an outside province. His doctrine was indeed the first that I would call solely faith only.

Marcion rejected all the Apostles except Paul, as he considered Paul's writing's the only ones that reflected the true spirit of Christianity. Similar to Martin Luther rejecting the book of James for a time because it taught justification by works, and not justification by faith alone, Marcion rejected all Gospels except Luke and followed no apostle but Paul.

Marcion was influential enough to actually change Rome's dogma, he had grown to be as influential as the church leaders in Rome.

He held sway from 144 to at least 204 Ad, and was not challenged as much by Rome as he was by those in outer provinces such as Turtillean in Africa and others.

Even though the Catholics eventually listed him as a heretic, they adopted many of his beliefs.

• • That we are under faith and not law. He saw Christians free from law.

  • He was a proponent of the ever-virginity of Mary.

  • He forbade marriage in God's servants, seeing celibacy as holy and more spiritual.

  • He denied Jesus was actually flesh.

His doctrines held sway over many in Rome, and Rome officially adopted some of them.

Marcion tampered with Bible passages and added many of the Bible headings.