HERESIES AGAINST THE CATHOLIC CHURCH REGARDING BAPTISM
from Scandal of the Cross and its Triumph
by Bob & Penny Lord
NOVATIANS
250 A.D.
a priest named Novatian
chosen to represent fellow priests
he was waiting until he was at the point of death to be Baptized
controversy about him receiving the sacraments of Penance, Holy Communion and Confirmation
after Pope St. Fabian was martyred by Emperor Decius he wanted to become pope
St. Cornelius was elected Pope
Novatian contested their decision and had himself declared a Bishop
Pope St. Cornelius questioned Novatians priesthood
Novatian attacked the Pope verbally and with letters
Novatian then set himself up as an anti-pope
He claimed that sins could not be forgiven after Baptism
this is why people would wait until the point of death to be Baptized
St. Augustine would fight this heresy in the 4th century
ALBIGENSIANISM
Constantine of Samosata was the founder
name came from Albi, France where it started
11th century (although a revived sect of the 3rd century MANICHAEANS)
the Manichaeans simply did away with Baptism
had two classes of people: Perfects , The Believers (majority)
they wanted to be able to sin, have their earthly pleasures and yet gain Heaven
all they had to do was: 1) accept their dogmas 2) revere the Perfects 3) promise to receive consolamentum (their baptism) before they died
they waited until the point of death for Baptism so their sins would be forgiven
many followers fearing they would sin after Baptism would choose to die of starvation (called Endura)
those who committed this suicide were viewed as heroes and martyrs (opposite of Christian beliefs which says that suicide is murder)