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Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Novatian (200 \u2013 258 AD) \u2013 Exposing the Mother Of Harlots – Part Three of Three<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As these churches opposed the departures of their more numerous enemies, and as they contended for the simplicity of the gospel and purity of membership, and as they baptized those who were admitted to their fellowship from the Catholic party, we can but conclude they were Baptist churches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus the two parties, already spoken of as existing in the second century, became more definitely separated in the third, under the influence of Novatian and Novatus, one merging rapidly into formalism, and the other contending for spiritual church membership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Revelations, these two parties are represented as two women: one, “arrayed in purple and scarlet color, seated upon a scarlet colored beast, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abomination and filthiness of her fornication: and upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH;” Rev. 17. The other, “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars;” Rev. 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus far in the march of time, we find that the gates of hell had not prevailed against the church of Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Presented by Thomas E. Kresal from: Elder John R. Daily, Primitive Monitor, 1897, pp. 229-231.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n