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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Church Fathers
Apostolic · AD 30–96
Clement of Rome 3 Council of Jerusalem 1 Didache 4 Hermas 2 Ignatius of Antioch 7 Polycarp of Smyrna 2
Ante-Nicene · AD 96–325
Clement of Alexandria 4 Cornelius of Rome 1 Cyprian of Carthage 13 Didascalia Apostolorum 1 Irenaeus of Lyon 16 Justin Martyr 14 Origen of Alexandria 17 Tertullian 19
Nicene · AD 325–381
Ambrose of Milan 10 Arius 1 Athanasius of Alexandria 10 Basil of Caesarea 4 Council of Constantinople I 2 Council of Ephesus 3 Council of Nicaea 5 Cyril of Alexandria 2 Cyril of Jerusalem 4 Gregory of Nazianzus 5 Gregory of Nyssa 2 John Chrysostom 9 Pope Damasus I 1
Post-Nicene · AD 381–500
Athanasian Creed 1 Augustine of Hippo 21 Council of Carthage 2 Council of Chalcedon 3 Council of Constantinople II 1 Council of Constantinople III 2 Council of Nicaea II 1 Council of Orange 1 Council of Toledo III 1 Gregory of Tours 1 Gregory the Great 4 Jerome 4 John of Damascus 1 Pelagius 1 Pope Gelasius I 1 Pope Innocent I 2 Pope Leo I 4 Pope Martin I 1 Vincent of Lérins 3
DD
Didache
Apostolic · 4 records · 3 doctrines
Tradition Alignment
Catholic
100%
Orthodox
100%
Lutheran
25%
Reformed
0%
Baptist
25%
Evangelical
0%
Doctrine Coverage
Christology
Ecclesiology 2
Eschatology
Mariology
Petrine Ministry
Pneumatology
Prayer & Devotion
Scripture & Tradition
Soteriology
The Eucharist
The Priesthood 1
The Sacraments 1
The Sacraments 1 record
Baptism by immersion was the normal form but pouring is permitted when immersion is impossible
Didache, 7.1-3
affirmed
Ecclesiology 2 records
Christians fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, not on the days the hypocrites fast
Didache, 8.1
affirmed
The Lord's Prayer is to be prayed three times each day
Didache, 8.3
affirmed
The Priesthood 1 record
The Didache permits bishops and deacons to fulfil the liturgical role of prophets in the Church
Didache, 15.1
affirmed
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