Historical Theology · Patristic Database

The Christian
Belief Map

What the first five centuries believed — and who still believes it today.

217
Belief Records
46
Figures
500
Years
6
Traditions
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Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Identical Convergent Partial Divergent Opposed Unknown
Apostolic Era · AD 30–100
1 record
SACRAMENTS c. AD 90
Didache
Baptism by immersion was the normal form but pouring is permitted when immersion is impossible
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Ante-Nicene · AD 100–200
2 records
SACRAMENTS c. AD 140
Hermas
A man who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 140
Hermas
The Shepherd of Hermas teaches that post-baptismal sin can be forgiven once through repentance
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
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Explore 71 verified claims across seven centuries of Church history.

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