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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Records by century
1
1st
3
2nd
9
3rd
1
4th
6
5th
How to read the tradition strip
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
3 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
SACRAMENTS c. AD 155
Justin Martyr
Baptism regenerates and forgives sins
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Ante-Nicene · AD 200–300
9 records
SACRAMENTS c. AD 200
Tertullian
Tertullian is the first to use the word sacramentum to describe Christian rites
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 200
Tertullian
Tertullian attests the practice of sponsoring candidates for baptism — the origin of godparents
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 244
Origen of Alexandria
Infant baptism is the continuous practice of the Church from the apostles
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 244
Origen of Alexandria
Infants are to be baptised because they need the regeneration that baptism provides
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 244
Origen of Alexandria
The anointingof the sick with oil and prayer by the elders of the Church is an apostolic practice for healing
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 251
Cyprian of Carthage
Confession of sins to a priest effects sacramental absolution
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 251
Cornelius of Rome
Novatianism was condemned — the Church has authority to forgive even those who apostatised under persecution
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 256
Cyprian of Carthage
Schismatics outside the visible Church cannot have valid orders or valid sacraments
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 256
Cyprian of Carthage
Cyprian of Carthage teaches that valid baptism cannot be conferred outside the Church
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Nicene Era · AD 300–400
1 record
SACRAMENTS c. AD 350
Cyril of Jerusalem
Confirmation seals and strengthens the grace of baptism through the Spirit
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
Post-Nicene · AD 400–500
6 records
SACRAMENTS c. AD 400
Augustine of Hippo
Baptism in the name of the Trinity is valid even when performed by a heretic or schismatic
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 400
Augustine of Hippo
Donatism is wrong — the validity of sacraments does not depend on the holiness of the minister
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 401
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine teaches that marriage has three goods: fidelity, offspring, and sacramental bond
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 410
Augustine of Hippo
Original sin is transmitted to all humanity through physical generation
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 412
Augustine of Hippo
Baptism washes away original sin inherited from Adam
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
SACRAMENTS c. AD 413
Augustine of Hippo
Infants who die without baptism are in a condition of original sin — Augustine refuses to promise them glory
Cat
Ort
Lut
Ref
Bap
Eva
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