Adoptionist meaning

Adoptionist beliefs center around the idea that Jesus was adopted by God as His son at some point during His life on Earth.


Adoptionist definitions

Word backwards tsinoitpoda
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "adoptionist" is a noun.
Syllabic division ad-op-tion-ist
Plural The plural of the word "adoptionist" is "adoptionists".
Total letters 11
Vogais (3) a,o,i
Consonants (5) d,p,t,n,s

Adoptionist Beliefs

Origins

Adoptionism is a theological doctrine that asserts Jesus Christ was born a mere mortal but became divine through adoption by God. This belief system originated in the early Christian Church and was popularized in the 2nd century AD, particularly in regions like Syria and Palestine. Adoptionists rejected the traditional concept of the Trinity and believed that Jesus was chosen by God to be His divine Son, rather than being inherently divine himself.

Core Tenets

Adoptionists held the belief that Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit at his baptism by John the Baptist, thus becoming the Son of God by adoption. This event marked the beginning of Jesus' divine mission and empowered him to perform miracles and spread the message of salvation. Adoptionists emphasized Jesus' humanity and viewed his miraculous deeds as evidence of God's presence in him.

Controversy and Conflict

Opposition

Adoptionism faced significant opposition from other Christian sects, particularly those adhering to orthodox beliefs like Nicene Christianity. Critics argued that Adoptionism undermined the fundamental doctrine of Christ's divinity, asserting that Jesus was not merely a chosen human but the eternal Son of God. This theological disagreement led to intense debates and conflicts within the early Church.

Decline

Ultimately, Adoptionism declined in prominence as orthodox Christian beliefs solidified over time. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD condemned Adoptionism as heresy and affirmed the Nicene Creed, which established the orthodox view of Christ's divine nature. Despite its decline, Adoptionism continued to influence theological discussions and debates within Christianity, serving as a significant point of contention in the early Church's development.


Adoptionist Examples

  1. The adoptionist view of Christ's nature was popular in the early church.
  2. Many historians believe that adoptionist beliefs influenced certain sects of Christianity.
  3. The adoptionist controversy led to theological debates in the early centuries of Christianity.
  4. Some scholars argue that the adoptionist perspective is consistent with certain biblical passages.
  5. The adoptionist position emphasizes the humanity of Jesus Christ.
  6. Adoptionists believe that Jesus became the Son of God at his baptism.
  7. The adoptionist doctrine teaches that Jesus was a normal human being until God adopted him as his Son.
  8. Critics of adoptionism claim that it diminishes the divinity of Christ.
  9. The adoptionist heresy was condemned by various church councils in the early centuries of Christianity.
  10. The adoptionist understanding of Jesus' identity challenges traditional views of the Trinity.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 25/06/2024 - 18:53:30