A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

126 A Source Book for Ancient Church History§ 26. The Beginnings of Councils as a Defence against HeresyEcclesiastical councils were the first defence against heresy. Asthe Church had not as yet attained its hierarchical constitution andthe autonomy of the local church still persisted, these councilshad little more than the combined authority of the several memberscomposing them. They had, as yet, only moral force, and didnot speak for the Church officially. With the development of theepiscopal constitution, the councils gained rapidly in authority.Additional source material: See Eusebius, Hist. Ec., V, 16(given above, § 25, a), V, 24; Tertullian, De Jejun., 13 (givenbelow, § 38).(a) Libellus Synodicus, Man. I, 723.For a discussion of the credibility of the Libellus Synodicus,a compilation of the ninth century, see Hefele, History of theCouncils, § 1.A holy and provincial synod was held at Hierapolis in Asia byApollinarius, the most holy bishop of that city, and twenty-sixother bishops. In this synod Montanus and Maximilla, the falseprophets, and at the same time, Theodotus the tanner, werecondemned and expelled. A holy and local synod was gatheredunder the most holy Bishop Sotas of Anchialus 51 and twelve otherbishops, who condemned and rejected Theodotus the tannerand Montanus together with Maximilla.(b) Eusebius. Hist. Ec., V, 18. (MSG, 20:475.) Cf. Mirbt, n. 21.The following should be connected with the first attempts ofthe Church to meet the heresy of the Montanists by gatherings51 A city of Thrace on the Black Sea.