Expert: Brenda Martin - 4/5/2003

Question
Dear Brenda
I am interested in Paulician movement in early stages of Christianity, they are considered as heretics. I would like to find the book called "key of the truth", can you refer me any source to find this book please?
Thank you in advance
sincerely yours,
Berc

Answer
Hi Berc,you asked about the "Paulicians" here is what I could find --

There have been witnesses of God on earth in every period of human history.

Throughout the centuries there have been professed Christians who rejected the error of the trinity, usually called “Arians.” There were those who closely followed primitive Christianity and who were known as quartodecimans because of celebrating Christ's memorial on Nisan 14, holding out against the paganizing trend of Rome.

Then there were the Paulicians from the seventh century onward, whose teachings have been termed “genuine apostolic Bible-Christianity.” They stood solely by the “New Testament,” practiced adult baptism, believed that God in his love had sent an angel to earth who at his baptism became God's Son. They rejected unscriptural tradition, had no clergy-laity distinction, refused to revere the cross.

Then there were the Waldenses from the twelfth century forward, who had much in common with the previous Paulicians in rejecting all false tradition such as purgatory, the mass, and so forth, and adhering closely to the Bible, although they did not limit themselves to the so-called “New Testament.” The only two ceremonies they recognized were baptism and the Lord's evening meal. They strictly followed Bible principles regarding morality and refused to celebrate popular religious holidays such as Palm Sunday, Easter, All Saints' Day, and so forth. Typical is the statement of one of them, who was martyred, that ‘the Cross should not be prayed to but loathed as the instrument of the Just One's death.'

Many were the Arians, Paulicians and Waldenses, not to mention others, who because of their Bible-based religion suffered martyrdom. Not that this in itself or together with their beliefs, as noted in the foregoing, indicated that all of them had God's approval. Why not? Because time and again not a few of these took up the sword to defend themselves against Roman Catholic crusades in violation of Matthew 26:52.

The foregoing facts therefore would appear to demonstrate two things: (1) That through all the centuries from the time of Abel to modern times there were those who adhered so closely to God's Word as to be considered God's witnesses that had his approval. (2) That the number of them must have been small. This would be in keeping with the limited number composing the body of Christ as well as with the fact that comparatively large numbers of these appeared at the sowing and at the harvest-time.

The ONLY religion today that –

1.rejects the trinity
2.celebrates the memorial on Nisan 14
3.practices adult baptism
4.rejects unscriptural tradition.
5.has no clergy- laity distinction
6.do not revere the cross
7.reject false teachings-- purgatory and mass.
8 strictly follow bible principles of morality.
9.refuse to celebrate popular religious holidays.
10.suffer martyrdom because of their bible- based religion.
11.do not go to war.

Are Jehovah's Witnesses.

Sorry I don't know where you would find the book, but J.W. have many books dealing with Early Christianity and there is no charge. Also I would be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding Jehovah's Witnesses, because if you are interested in the “Paulician movement” you will be interested in those who are identical to them.

All the best and look forward to hearing from you, Brenda