Acts of Apostle Thomas

XVIII SURAYA IMMIGRATION : M. M. NINAN
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back to Christianity. But he had a strong follower Mani by name who carried on his new religion.
Both were opposed to each other. They met in CheraNadu and South India. When Mani wrote
"Manimekalai" in Tamil Bardaisan wrote "Acts of Thuma" in Syriac. Because of the presence of
Bardaisan in Chera Nadu, Mani’s religion could not take root there, but Mani had many followers
in Tamil Nadu. They were mostly Armenian Merchants and Chettys from Tamil nadu. His
followers had their own kingdom, known as Kanchipuram. They had churches and crosses like
Christians.Since Mani knew the art of changing himself to peacock and fly his name was
associated with peacock. Mani had appointed 12 Apostles, 72 Bishops and 360 Evangelists to
spread his religion by mixing the local religions with his faith. His religion was very popular in
China, Tibet and other countries. His mother’s name was Mary. All his Apostles including his
mother were buried in Kashmir at a place called Barmulla.Those tombs exist till today. This place
is being confused that of St. Mary’s and those of disciples of Christ.” (Syrian Christian History
by P.E.Easo)
The presence of the Manicaen teachings from within the Christian Churches which were by now formed
two denominations within the local Indian Christians – Saivism and Vaishnavism. These were also the
period when the Trinitarian controversies were going on in the West. It would be inappropriate to call them
heresies since these were honest attempts to understand God and Incarnation. Some of the major doctrinal
attempts were:
1. The Circumcisers (1st Century)
The Circumcision heresy may be summed up in the words of Acts 15:1: "But some men came down from
Judea and were teaching the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you
cannot be saved.’"
2. Gnosticism (1st and 2nd Centuries) We had discussed this in detail.
3. Montanism (Late 2nd Century
Montanus believed that the second coming of Jesus was immanent and he himself was the Paraclete that
Jesus had promised would come.
4. Sabellianism (Early 3rd Century)
The Sabellianists taught that Jesus Christ and God the Father were not distinct persons, but two aspects or
offices of one person. According to them, the three persons of the Trinity exist only in God’s relation to
man, not in objective reality. This is essentially the Vaishnavite doctrine.
5 Arianism (4th Century)
Arianism taught that Christ was a creature made by God.
6. Pelagianism (5th Century)
Pelagius denied that man inherit original sin. Man is born morally neutral and can achieve heaven under
his own powers. God’s grace makes it easier an otherwise difficult task.
7. Semi-Pelagianism (5th Century)
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