Docetists

Docetism is a Christian heresy that emerged in the 2nd century AD, primarily in Egypt and Syria. The term "Docetism" comes from the Greek word "dokeo," which means "to seem" or "to appear." Docetists believed that Jesus Christ was not a fully divine being but rather a divine being who appeared to be human. They taught that Jesus had a human appearance but not a human nature. This belief was a reaction against the growing trend of Gnosticism, which emphasized the spiritual nature of Jesus and the separation of the divine and human aspects of his person.

Docetists held that Jesus was a divine being who took on a human appearance for the sake of salvation, but he did not become fully human. They believed that Jesus' miracles were illusions or appearances, not real events. This belief was a significant departure from the mainstream Christian belief in the full divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ.

The heresy of Docetism was condemned by the early Church Fathers, including Irenaeus and Tertullian. They argued that Jesus' divinity and humanity were inseparable and that his miracles were real and authentic. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD formally condemned Docetism, affirming the full divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. Despite its condemnation, the heresy of Docetism had a lasting impact on Christian theology, influencing the development of the doctrine of the Incarnation.