History of the Doctrine Concerning the Nature of God

In the early centuries of Christianity

Part 5

Modified Gnosticism

Marcion, a wealthy ship owner and partial gnostic, came to Rome about139, teaching that all the apostles except Paul misunderstood the Gospel, inasmuch as they accepted the old testament and its god. The god of the Old Testament became unjust in opposing  Christ who did away with the Jewish law.

Because he joined the roman congregation, making it a gift of the equivalent of $10,000, and because he fought against legalism, he made deep and dangerous inroads into Christianity. He was, however, excommunicated in144. Most all Christians rejected his doctrines.