🧭 Introduction

From the earliest days of Christianity, belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ and the truth of His bodily resurrection has remained a non-negotiable foundation. This belief is not marginal or culturally bound; it is universal, consistent, and foundational. The early Church summarized the test of true doctrine with the Latin phrase:

“Quod semper, quod ubique, quod ab omnibus” –
“What has been believed always, everywhere, and by all.”

Attributed to Vincent of Lérins in the 5th century, this principle has served as a gold standard for orthodoxy. It captures the heart of historic Christianity: beliefs that transcend culture, geography, and time, rooted in the apostolic witness to Jesus Christ.

In contrast, groups that depart from this apostolic foundation—especially those introducing secret doctrines or additional requirements for salvation—fall outside this ancient and universal stream. Such groups often meet the criteria of a cult. This essay will examine the uninterrupted continuity of belief in Jesus' divinity and bodily resurrection and, by contrast, define the deviations that mark a cult.

📜 I. Defining Core Christian Beliefs (1st Century)

The earliest Christian creeds capture the heart of the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 15:3–7, Paul writes:

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures… that he was raised on the third day…”

This is not merely personal opinion—it is a summary of universally agreed-upon truth that pre-dates Paul’s own ministry, tracing back to the earliest followers of Jesus in Jerusalem.

The Philippians 2 “Christ Hymn” speaks of Christ being “in very nature God,” humbling Himself to death on a cross, and being exalted so that every knee should bow before Him. This creedal structure affirms both Jesus’ divine nature and His victory through resurrection.

The Synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke)—written within 30–40 years of the crucifixion—consistently portray Jesus as Son of Man and Son of God, with divine authority over nature, sin, and death. Scholars generally date Mark to the early 60s AD, tied to the eyewitness testimony of Peter, who was likely martyred by Emperor Nero. The Gospels do not develop belief in Jesus’ divinity; they assume it.

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus is ultimately condemned and crucified for claiming divine identity—specifically, when He affirms to the high priest that He is the Messiah and the Son of God, and that they will see Him “seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:61–64). The Jewish leadership regarded this as blasphemy, a charge punishable by death, reinforcing the Gospel's clear portrayal of Jesus as divine.

✅ These creeds and texts affirm a public, communal, and early belief in Jesus' divinity and resurrection—consistent with “what has been believed always.”

⛪ II. Continuity Through Early Church History

The continuity of belief is not only textual but also liturgical and sacrificial.

Worship on Sunday: Jewish Christians shifted from Sabbath (Saturday) to gathering on the first day of the week to commemorate Jesus’ resurrection. This radical break with Jewish custom reflects the centrality of the resurrection.
Gospel of John: Written near the close of the first century, it opens with:

“In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
John also records Thomas’ confession: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28), a clear affirmation of Jesus’ divine nature.

Ignatius of Antioch (35-107 AD), en route to martyrdom (~110 AD), called Jesus “our God” and emphasized belief in His real flesh and real resurrection. He warned against docetism (the belief that Jesus only seemed human) as heresy.
Polycarp of Smyrna (69-155 AD), a disciple of John, reaffirmed these beliefs and passed them to Irenaeus (130-202 AD), whose Against Heresies became a foundational defense of orthodox Christianity.
Emperor Hadrian (76-138 AD) built a pagan temple over the empty tomb of Christ in Jerusalem in 135 AD to suppress the growing Christian movement. Ironically, this act confirms that Christians had already long venerated this site as the place of the resurrection.

✅ From apostolic witness to martyr testimony, the early Church clearly and publicly upheld Jesus' divinity and resurrection.

🧱 III. Archaeological & External Evidence (2nd–3rd Century)

Even sources hostile to Christianity confirm its core message.

Pliny the Younger, Roman governor (c. 112 AD), wrote to Emperor Trajan about Christians singing hymns “to Christ as to a god.” Their worship practices confirm early belief in Jesus’ divine identity.
Celsus, a Greek philosopher (c. 175 AD), ridicules Christians for believing a man rose from the dead. Yet, in doing so, he attests to the persistence and centrality of this belief among Christians of his day.
The Alexamenos Graffito (c. 200 AD) mocks a Christian named Alexamenos for “worshipping his God” depicted as a crucified figure with a donkey’s head. Though derisive, it confirms public knowledge that Christians worshiped the crucified Christ as divine.
The Megiddo Mosaic (c. 230-250 AD), found in what may be the world’s oldest church building, includes the inscription: “The God Jesus Christ.” This archaeological find directly confirms worship of Jesus as divine.

✅ From enemies to mosaics, the evidence reinforces: the resurrection and Jesus' divinity were not optional teachings but central truths of early Christianity.

🚩 IV. What Defines a Cult?

With the apostolic and historical baseline established, we can now define a cult by contrast.

🔒 1. Secret Knowledge vs. Open Proclamation

Cults typically introduce esoteric doctrines, hidden revelations, or gradual disclosure of truth only to the initiated. Christianity, by contrast, declares the Gospel openly:

“These things were not done in a corner.” (Acts 26:26)

📜 2. Added Works or Virtues for Salvation

Where the apostolic message teaches salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), cults often add new rules, special behaviors, exclusive membership, or moral performance as conditions for eternal life—perverting the simplicity of the Gospel.

🚫 3. Denial or Reinterpretation of Jesus’ Divinity and Resurrection

Many cults deny either Jesus’ full deity or the bodily resurrection. Some reinterpret it as spiritual or metaphorical. But as Jesus says in Luke 24:39 (ESV), “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a Spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

🧠 4. Control, Isolation, and Indoctrination

Cults often enforce mental and social control—discouraging dissent, isolating members from outsiders, and elevating human leaders above Scripture. True Christianity honours conscience, welcomes scrutiny, and centres on Christ alone.

✅ In short, a cult is any group that breaks from “what has been believed always, everywhere, and by all”—particularly by denying the uniqueness, divinity, or resurrection of Jesus, or adding barriers to the grace of God.

🔚 Conclusion

From the first-century creeds and apostolic writings to early martyrdoms and third-century church mosaics, belief in Jesus as the divine Son of God who bodily rose from the dead has remained central and unchanged. This faith was proclaimed publicly, preserved carefully, and passed down faithfully. It fits the Vincentian test of true doctrine:

Quod semper, quod ubique, quod ab omnibus –
What has been believed always, everywhere, and by all.

Any group that deviates from this—whether through secret knowledge, added legalism, or denial of Christ’s divine identity and bodily resurrection —deviates from the true Gospel.

In contrast, true Christianity proclaims one Savior, one Gospel, and one resurrection hope—openly, joyfully, and unchanged for 2,000 years. View our new series on Evidence for the Resurrection to learn more: