MONTANIST Meaning and
Definition
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Montanist refers to a follower or practitioner of Montanism, which was a Christian religious movement that emerged in the second century AD. The term "Montanist" derives from the name of its founder, Montanus, a Christian prophet from Phrygia (present-day central Turkey).
Montanists believed that they were guided by the Holy Spirit and claimed to receive direct revelations from God. They placed a particular emphasis on the imminent return of Christ and the need for repentance and holiness in preparation for the end times. This movement stressed the importance of spiritual gifts, including prophecy, speaking in tongues, and healing, in contrast to the official church's more structured and hierarchical practices.
Due to their charismatic practices and belief in ongoing revelation, Montanists often faced opposition and criticism from the established church. The movement was seen as a challenge to the authority of the bishops and a deviation from mainstream Christian doctrine. The official church eventually deemed Montanism heretical during the third century, as it went against the teachings of the early church fathers and claimed a monopoly on divine revelation.
The term "Montanist" is primarily used in historical and religious contexts to refer to adherents or scholars studying the Montanist movement. It is worth noting that Montanism as a distinct movement gradually disappeared over time, and there are no known active Montanist communities today.
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A follower of Montanus, a Phrygian bishop of the 2d century, who pretended that he was inspired by the Holy Ghost to instruct, men in several points not revealed to the apostles.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for MONTANIST
- Montanis
- nontanist
- kontanist
- jontanist
- mintanist
- mkntanist
- mlntanist
- mpntanist
- m0ntanist
- m9ntanist
- mobtanist
- momtanist
- mojtanist
- mohtanist
- monranist
- monfanist
- monganist
- monyanist
- mon6anist
- mon5anist
Etymology of MONTANIST
The word "Montanist" is derived from the name of its founder, Montanus, who was a Christian prophet in the 2nd century AD. Montanus lived in the ancient region of Phrygia, which is located in present-day Turkey. He claimed to be the mouthpiece of the Holy Spirit and attracted followers who believed in his prophetic revelations, which he believed were complements to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The term "Montanist" was not initially used by Montanus or his followers themselves, but was coined by their opponents as a way to identify and distinguish this particular sect from mainstream Christianity. The label "Montanist" gained popularity and became commonly used to describe the movement and its adherents, who were also known as "Montanians" or "Montanenses".
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