The Nazarenes (4th century) Nazarene (sect)

1 nazarenes (4th century)

1.1 gospel of nazarenes
1.2 patristic references nazarenes
1.3 nazarene beliefs

the nazarenes (4th century)

according epiphanius in panarion, 4th-century nazarenes (Ναζωραιοι) jewish converts of apostles fled jerusalem because of jesus prophecy of coming siege (during great jewish revolt in 70 ad). fled pella, peraea (northeast of jerusalem), , spread outwards beroea , basanitis, permanently settled (panarion 29.3.3).

the nazarenes similar ebionites, in considered jews, maintained adherence law of moses, , used aramaic gospel of hebrews, rejecting canonical gospels. however, unlike half of ebionites, accepted virgin birth.

as late eleventh century, cardinal humbert of mourmoutiers still referred nazarene sect sabbath-keeping christian body existing @ time. modern scholars believe pasagini or pasagians referenced cardinal humbert, suggesting nazarene sect existed eleventh century , beyond (the catholic writings of bonacursus entitled against heretics ). believed gregorius of bergamo, 1250 ce, wrote concerning nazarenes pasagians.

gospel of nazarenes

the gospel of nazarenes title given fragments of 1 of lost jewish-christian gospels of matthew partially reconstructed writings of jerome.

patristic references nazarenes

in 4th century, jerome refers nazarenes accept messiah in such way not cease observe old law. in epistle 79, augustine, said:

what shall of ebionites pretend christians? to-day there still exists among jews in synagogues of east heresy called of minæans, , still condemned pharisees; [its followers] ordinarily called nasarenes ; believe christ, son of god, born of virgin mary, , hold him 1 suffered under pontius pilate , ascended heaven, , in whom believe. while pretend both jews , christians, neither.

jerome viewed distinction between nazarenes , ebionites, different jewish sect, not comment on whether nazarene jews considered christian or not or how viewed fitting descriptions uses. equates them filaster s nazarei. criticism of nazarenes noticeably more direct , critical of epiphanius.

the following creed church @ constantinople @ same period, , condemns practices of nazarenes:

i renounce customs, rites, legalisms, unleavened breads & sacrifices of lambs of hebrews, , other feasts of hebrews, sacrifices, prayers, aspersions, purifications, sanctifications , propitiations , fasts, , new moons, , sabbaths, , superstitions, , hymns , chants , observances , synagogues, , food , drink of hebrews; in 1 word, renounce jewish, every law, rite , custom , if afterwards shall wish deny , return jewish superstition, or shall found eating jews, or feasting them, or secretly conversing , condemning christian religion instead of openly confuting them , condemning vain faith, let trembling of gehazi cleave me, legal punishments acknowledge myself liable. , may anathema in world come, , may soul set down satan , devils.

nazarenes referenced past fourth century ad well. jacobus de voragine (1230–98) described james nazarene in golden legend, vol 7. thomas aquinas (1225–74) quotes augustine of hippo, given apocryphal book called hieremias hebrew of nazarene sect , in catena aurea — gospel of matthew, chapter 27. terminology seems have remained @ least through 13th century in european discussions.

nazarene beliefs

the beliefs of nazarene sect or sects described through various church fathers , heresiologists.

in jesus messiah:

the nazarenes... accept messiah in such way not cease observe old law.

in virgin birth:

they believe messiah, son of god, born of virgin mary.

in jesus son of god:

matthew, called levi, apostle , aforetimes publican, composed gospel of christ @ first published in judea in hebrew sake of of circumcision believed, afterwards translated greek though author uncertain. hebrew has been preserved until present day in library @ cæsarea pamphilus diligently gathered. have had opportunity of having volume described me nazarenes of beroea, city of syria, use it. in noted wherever evangelist, whether on own account or in person of our lord saviour quotes testimony of old testament not follow authority of translators of septuagint hebrew. wherefore these 2 forms exist “out of egypt have called son,” , “for shall called nazarene.”

they have no different ideas, confess law proclaims , in jewish fashion – except belief in christ, if please! acknowledge both resurrection of dead , divine creation of things, , declare god one, , son jesus christ.

adhering circumcision , law of moses:

they disagree jews because have come faith in christ; since still fettered law – circumcision, sabbath, , rest – not in accord christians.

use of old testament , new testament:

they use not new testament old testament well, jews do.

use of hebrew , aramaic new testament source texts:

they have gospel according matthew in entirety in hebrew. clear still preserve this, in hebrew alphabet, written.

and [heggesippus nazarene] quotes passages gospel according hebrews , syriac [the aramaic], , particulars hebrew tongue, showing convert hebrews, , mentions other matters taken oral tradition of jews.