Paulicians: Early Baptists, Other Denomination, or...?

You can read German? Great. Let me know if there are any extracts in English.

Gibbon, Bury, and Newman are all secondary sources. Not really the best bet if we want to see for ourselves what the Paulicians believed and practiced.

I have not read Bury and Newman, but Gibbon does a great job of documenting his sources.

Gibbon notes that his primary source on the Paulicians was Peter Siculus. He did not have access to Photius. For Photius' perspective Gibbon apparently relied on Mosheim (another secondary source). And, of course, Gibbon did not have access to The Key of Truth.

CA

 

Where did I mention exorcism?

CA

 

I think Conybeare is referring to these passages in The Key concerning the Paulician baptismal rite:

"It is meet that they (the baptismal candidates) should approach in gentleness, in humility to the elect one (the priest), solicit from him release from demons, and that they may serve our Lord Jesus Christ..." (Chapter XIX, page 92)

"... the novices shall in fear and trembling on their knees draw nigh, naked, bending low their heads and with firmest faith, bearing in mind the release from Satan." Then the priest pours water over the head of the candidate. (Chapter XXI, page 97)

CA

 

That sounds pretty cool. A long time ago I spent a few years working in Washington, DC and at the time I too "didn't know the value of them."

CA

 

Did the The Paulicians believe in baptismal regeneration?

These phrases appear in The Key of Truth, in the chapters concerning baptism. They are either said to the person, by the person, as a prayer for the person, or are a Bible reading as part of the Paulician baptismal rite:

"...baptize... and replenish them also with thine holy spirit and strengthen their minds and bodies. Because thy Son did truly promise us, saying: He that believeth shall be baptized, shall live;..."

"...attain to the holy birth of the font..."

"baptized... to obtain the power of the holy spirit... in order to obtain holiness..."

"... solicit from him (the elect one) release from demons... holy release..."

"Take on you the crown of the Lord Jesus... Take your places in the ranks on the right hand."

"...set me... free from the bonds of Satan... released from the bonds of the devils of Satan..."

"This is life eternal..."

"... the father giveth release from the bonds, the Son giveth hope to sinners, and the Holy Spirit is love in the hearts of those who listen, believe, are baptized.."

"Suffer it now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness."

"... thou hast made worthy thy servants in the hour of baptism."

"... send the Spirit of thy Father into their hearts..."

"...now... come down into these and fill the hearts of the baptized... Cleanse their spirits and minds, and make them a temple and dwelling place of the Father..."

CA

 

Did the Paulicians believe in transubstantiation?

Per pages 122-3f of The Key, this is what the Paulicians believed about the Lord’s Supper.

Concerning the Consecration of the Flesh and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Intercessor.

Now our Lord Jesus Christ willed to distribute his holy flesh and blood unto disciples and believers.

First he began with the following figure (or, in this manner). He opened their minds saying (in a figure or manner): “My flesh is true food and my blood is the true drink.” And again he said: “I am the bread of life which came down from heaven. He that eateth this bread shall live forever.”

When our lord had thus ended these figures, many of the disciples forthwith turned back. Then he again said to his remaining disciples: Do ye go and get ready for us the table of holiness, where I shall presently perform the mystery of salvation, for my (his) own believers and beloved ones. And when it was eventide Jesus went and sat down, and the twelve with him. He took one loaf (bread) unleavened in his hands, blessed it, gave thanks, broke it and said: “take ye, eat. This is my body which for you many is distributed unto the expiation and remission of sins.” [So also saith he in regard to the cup.]

Exposition of the Holy Mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ.

That our mediator and intercessor Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, took the bread in his hands and blessed it, this the holy Evangelists declare.

That is to say he earnestly besought the almighty Father that he would change the bread into his true precious body. This is why it says: “He blessed,” that is, he prayed the Lord that he would change the bread truly into his body. And so it was assuredly changed by the spirit of the heavenly Father. And when he saw that the bread was changed into his body, then he thanked the almighty Father for having changed it into his body and blood.

Now dost thou understand, my little child, the interpretation of the blessing and thanksgiving?

Yes, holy father, I have right well understood it. Humbly I pray venerable father, interpret to us this his use of the word ‘mine,’ namely: “This is my body,” as he also said after the resurrection to Peter: “Feed my sheep.” When he said this, did our mediator and intercessor Jesus Christ know that there would come false popes who would change [it] according to their good pleasure? Who with bread alone cajole all men and make that their own flesh and blood, and not Christ’s.

For this cause also doth our Lord Jesus Christ say: “This is my body.” Yea more, this doth he imply: that whosoever shall make any water, any mere bread, or any moistened morsel, and distribute deceitfully to the simple people, it is their own flesh and blood and not Christ’s.

To whom glory forever and ever. Amen

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NOTE: The brackets [], or parentheses () above are not mine. They are included in the text, or are marginal notes.

CA