Scholarly Reflections
Bardy, G. (Trans. P.W. Singleton). "Chapter Five: Heresy at the End of the First Century." The Church at the End of the First Century. London: Sands & Co. 1938, 109-123.
Bardy views Christianity as having a defined orthodoxy from the start. Guarding and spreading orthodox belief and the resulting practices was a central concern in the spread of Christianity (Bardy 1938, 109). Departure from the orthodox tenets was warned against, not only in the gospels, but especially in Colossians and the Pastoral Epistles. Hence, Bardy observes, Paul is not surprised by the heretical views and abusive practices which would arise (Bardy 1938, 110-111).
The letters at the start of Revelation speak plainly about heresies which had already arisen in Asia Minor prior to the close of the first century (Bardy 1938, 111). Bardy sees the region as a historical home of various types of syncretism and innovation. Among others, the Nicolaitans alternatively practiced a strict asceticism or abused themselves with immoral behavior (Bardy 1938, 113). Cerinthus, a contemporary of John in Ephesus, taught an early form of gnosticism, where the supreme God is not the one who created the world, and where Jesus was merely man before the supreme God came to him at his baptism.
Bardy notes that Ignatius, in his letters, speaks against the various heretical doctrines (Bardy 1938, 115). In particular, Ignatius speaks of heretics who admit the Scripture but interpret it differently. Bardy cites as an example those who said Christ only took a symbol of a body, not a real one, and did not actually suffer for sin (Bardy 1938, 116). Imposition of Mosaic law on Christians is another issue of significance to Ignatius. Bardy observes that Ignatius had very little respect for those who departed from orthodoxy (Bardy 1938, 118).
Bardy further adduces the example of Simon, who is not attested in detail by his contemporaries but for wom we have some later narratives. Simon, around 33-36, attempted to buy the power of imparting the Holy Spirit (Acts 8). He is later said to have been recognized as the mighty power of God around Samaria (Bardy 1938, 119).
Bardy concludes that there were certainly other heretical views by the end of the first century, but that many were forgotten or combined with others (Bardy 1938, 122). Pursuit of doctrinal orthodoxy would remain a challenge to Christianity.