Theological Term of the Week: Sabellius

Sabellius
An obscure early third century Roman theologian who taught that God is only one person who acts out three different roles.1 

• From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. H. Needham:

Sabellius taught that God is only one person, Who acts now as Father in creating the universe, now as Son in redeeming sinners, now as the Holy Spirit in sanctifying believers. These are simply three different roles acted out by one divine person, much as one human person might be a husband, a father, and a bus-driver. Sabellianism of one sort or another was quite popular in the early Church, because it offered a way of believing in the deity of Christ while preserving the oneness of God.  

Learn more:

1. Philip Schaff: Sabellianism
2. Got Questions: What is Sabellianism?
3. Theopedia: Modalism

Related terms:

• Ambrose of Milan
• Apollinarius
• Athanasius
• Augustine of Hippo
• Basil of Caesarea
• Cappadocian fathers
• Columba
• Cyril of Alexandria
• Gregory of Nanzianzus
• Gregory of Nyssa
• Gregory the Great
• Hilary of Poitiers
• Irenaeus of Lyons
• Jerome
• John Chrysostom
• Justin Martyr
• Maximus the Confessor
• Monica
• Nestorius
• Origen
• Patrick
• Pelagius
• Tertullian
• Venerable Bede, The

Filed under Christian History

1From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. R. Needham.

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Sunday's Hymn: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ our heav’nly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

—14th century Bohemian carol, 4th verse by Charles Wesley

Other hymns of worship songs for this Sunday:

• Resurrection Sunday! Christ Is Risen Just Like He Said at The Happy Wonderer 

Sunday's Hymn: God Is Still On the Throne

Have you started for glory and heaven,
Have you left this old world far behind;
In your heart is the Comforter dwelling,
Can you say, :Praise the Lord, He is mine;”
Have the ones that once walked on the highway,
Gone back, and you seem all alone?
Keep your eyes on the prize, for the home in the skies.
God is still on the throne.

Chorus:
God is still on the throne,
And He will remember His own;
Though trials may press us and burdens distress us,
He never will leave us alone;
God is still on the throne,
He never forsaketh His own;
His promise is true, He will not forget you,
God is still on the throne.

Burdened soul, is your heart growing weary
With the toil and the heat of the day;
Does it seem that your path is more thorny
As you journey along on life’s way?
Go away and in secret before Him
Tell your grief to the Savior alone;
He will lighten your care, for He still answers prayer;
God is still on the throne.

You may live in a tent or a cottage,
Unnoticed by those who pass by;
But a mansion for you He is building
In that beautiful city on high;
It will outshine the wealth and the splendor
Of the richest on earth we have known;
He’s the architect true, and He’s building for you;
God is still on the throne. 

He is coming again, is the promise
To disciples when He went away;
In like manner as He has gone from you,
You will see Him returning some day;
Does His tarrying cause you to wonder,
Does it seem He’s forgotten His own?
His promise is true, He is coming for you;
God is still on the throne. 

—Kittie Louise Suffield

Other hymns of worship songs for this Sunday:

• Sion, Haste to Meet Thy King at The Happy Wonderer