The Montanist Movement

Introduction to Montanism, The New Prophecy The Montanist movement began in the latter half of the second century around 160 by Montatius in a Christian church in Phrygia, Asia Minor. It is believed that, while in the house church, Montanist fell into a deep trace when the Spirit started speaking through him and he was helpless to resist it. Within ten years, the Montanist movement had attracted many followers include Priscilla and Maximilla, both of whom were active leaders in the movement. By 170, Montanism had spread to North Africa, Gaul and Rome. The emergence of the new prophecy movement had divided the Christian community. The Anonymous writes in 193 that although Christianity had not denied the prophetic movement, many believed the Montanist to be false prophets since they failed the test of the prophets in the Didache as well as their irrational state while prophesying.

Montanism Beliefs/ Teachings Before his death, shortly before the third …show more content…
Instead of being messengers of God, they thought of themselves as possessed by God. At this same time, between the end of the second century and the beginning of the third century, the Christian leaders were deciding which text to include in Scripture and nearly exclude the Johannine text from the canon because of its use within the Montanitius community. The followers argued that their prophetic gifts come from the prophets Quadratus and Ammia of Philadelphia whose linage date back to the first century. Tertullian, in On Modesty, writes that the Paraclete will guide into all truth even if the teaching come from an adversary spirit. The adversary will be recognized by his adulteration of the rule of faith. He continue to say that the Paraclete, who has many things to teach fully, bares emphatic witness to Christ and will bring all things concerning him back to our