Posted on 10/26/2025 6:12:28 AM PDT by Cronos
The Ebionites (Hebrew: Evyonim = “the Poor”) were a Jewish-Christian sect active from the 1st to 4th centuries CE, mainly in Transjordan, Syria, and Judea. Key text: Epiphanius (Panarion 30.13–14) quotes their gospel: The same sentiment is shared by historians Tom Holland and Robert Spencer The Ebionite movement may have arisen about the time of the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem (ad 70). Its members evidently left Palestine to avoid persecution and settled in Transjordan (notably at Pella) and Syria and were later known to be in Asia Minor and Egypt. The sect seems to have existed into the 4th century. They believed in one God and taught that Jesus was the Messiah and was the true “prophet” mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:15. They rejected the Virgin Birth of Jesus, instead holding that he was the natural son of Joseph and Mary. The Ebionites believed Jesus became the Messiah because he obeyed the Jewish Law. They themselves faithfully followed the Law, although they removed what they regarded as interpolations in order to uphold their teachings, which included vegetarianism, holy poverty, ritual ablutions, and the rejection of animal sacrifices. The Ebionites also held Jerusalem in great veneration. Ebionite Belief Jesus Human Messiah, born naturally to Mary and Joseph. Not divine. Torah Full observance required — circumcision, kosher laws, Sabbath. Paul Apostate — rejected his “law-free” gospel (Galatians). Gospels Used a Hebrew/Aramaic Gospel (possibly Gospel of the Ebionites, related to Matthew). Rejected virgin birth. “They say Jesus was begotten of the seed of a man… and chosen by election to be the Son of God.”
Patricia Crone & Michael Cook (Hagarism, 1977) → speculated Islam began as a Jewish-Christian messianic movement.
They are all dead, Jim.................
Mormon beliefs
Heretics by today’s Christian orthodoxy, such as it is. However, there were numerous sects during the first few centuries after Christ who were “followers of Jesus.” Some ideas died out and some coalesced into Christianity as we have come to know it in the West after the Council of Nicaea.
It’s interesting to speculate that these Ebionites were the foundation of Mohammedism. That cult borrowed freely from Judaism and Christianity - but not for the better.
Robert Spenser makes makes a very strong case that Islam was founded by a break-away sect of early Christians who worshipped / revered Jesus as a great prophet (as Muslims still do today) but did not believe he was divine, the son of God. There’s a famous old mosque with a long inscription wrapping around the circumference of its dome. The inscription doesn’t make much sense from an Islamic perspective, but it makes perfect sense when viewed thru the window of this early Christian sect’s beliefs.
That mosque you refer to 8s the Dome of the rock on top of the temple mount in Jerusalem
No not at all!
Ebionites are strict monotheists. Where one could argue that Mormons are tritheists - polytheists where “poly” equals 3.
Thanks, Cronos! It’s been a while since i read Spenser’s “Did Mohammed Exist?” but his argument re: the Dome of the Rock inscription has stayed with me (to the extent my memory will allow).
I had a prof who argued that Islam emerged from a Jewish Gnostic sect. He cited the similarities in form between Talmudic studying and Islamic scholarly studying styles.
I think by Jewish Gnostic he really meant some mystical oriented sect. Lots of those both Jewish and Christian none of the early ones have survived in a recognizable way. (Maybe 1 or 2!)
Bkmk
What is interesting is that the Talmud was finished in Baghdad in the 20th century along with the final stages of Halakha (Jewish law).
This was the same time and place where the Hadiths and halal laws were being finalized.
I also find it fascinating that Rabbinical Judaism (what we call simply Judaism today) dates to only after 70AD,so is actually 40 years of so YOUNGER than Christianity and is a kind of “niece” religion to Jesus movement Judaism (aka Christianity) as it derives from the Pharisees, a 2nd temple Jewish sect like the Jesus movement.
Well, that’s what I think anyway based on the writings of Rabbi Yohannan bin Zakkai and the Talmud
Yes that prof I had cited the possible equivalency between Halakha and Hadith, etc. as another link in his case. Unfortunately physical evidence is slim to nonexistent.
I also find it fascinating that Rabbinical Judaism (what we call simply Judaism today) dates to only after 70AD,so is actually 40 years of so YOUNGER than Christianity and is a kind of “niece” religion to Jesus movement Judaism (aka Christianity) as it derives from the Pharisees, a 2nd temple Jewish sect like the Jesus movement.
........
A ‘niece’ religion to some might look like a ‘daughter’ religion to some.
Interesting theory, though.
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