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At this time Rhodo, a native of Asia, who had been instructed, as
he himself states, by Tatian, with whom we have already become
acquainted, having written several books, published among the rest one
against the heresy of Marcion. He says that this heresy was divided
in his time into various opinions; and while describing those who
occasioned the division, he refutes accurately the falsehoods devised
by each of them. But hear what he writes:
"Therefore also they disagree among themselves, maintaining an
inconsistent opinion. For Apelles, one of the herd, priding himself
on his manner of life and his age, acknowledges one principle, but
says that the prophecies are from an opposing spirit, being led to this
view by the responses of a maiden by name Philumene, who was possessed
by a
demon. But others, among whom are Potitus and Basilicus, hold to
two principles, as does the mariner Marcion himself. These following
the wolf of Pontus, and, like him, unable to fathom the division of
things, became reckless, and without giving any proof asserted two
principles. Others, again, drifting into a worse error, consider
that there are not only two, but three natures. Of these, Syneros
is the leader and chief, as those who defend his teaching say." The
same author writes that he engaged in conversation with Apelles. He
speaks as follows:
"For the old man Apelles, when conversing with us, was refuted in
many things which he spoke falsely; whence also he said that it was not
at all necessary to examine one's doctrine, but that each one should
continue to hold what he believed. For he asserted that those who
trusted in the Crucified would be saved, if only they were found doing
good works. But as we have said before, his opinion concerning God
was the most obscure of all. For he spoke of one principle, as also
our doctrine does."
Then, after stating fully his own opinion, he adds:
"When I said to him, Tell me how you know this or how can you
assert that there is one principle, he replied that the prophecies
refuted themselves, because they have said nothing true; for they are
inconsistent, and false, and self-contradictory. But how there is
one principle he said that he did not know, but that he was thus
persuaded. As I then adjured him to speak the truth, he swore that
he did so when he said that he did not know how there is one unbegotten
God, but that he believed it. Thereupon I laughed and reproved him
because, though calling himself a teacher, he knew not how to confirm
what he taught."
In the same work, addressing Callistio, the same writer acknowledges
that he had been instructed at Rome by Tatian. And he says that a
book of Problems had been prepared by Tatian, in which he promised to
explain the obscure and hidden parts of the divine Scriptures. Rhodo
himself promises to give in a work of his: own solutions of Tatian's
problems. There is also extant a Commentary of his on the
Hexaemeron. But this Apelles wrote many things, an impious manner,
of the law of Moses, blaspheming the divine words in many of his
works, being, as it seemed, very zealous for their refutation and
overthrow? So much concerning these.
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