That is a lovely quote and one I didn't know by an author I have never read; thank-you.The idea is found in Hippolytus (c170-c236)
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/050107.htmThe Ebionaeans,9 however, acknowledge that the world was made by Him Who is in reality God, but they propound legends concerning the Christ similarly with Cerinthus and Carpocrates. They live conformably to the customs of the Jews, alleging that they are justified. according to the law, and saying that Jesus was justified by fulfilling the law. And therefore it was, (according to the Ebionaeans,) that (the Saviour) was named (the) Christ of God and Jesus,9 since not one of the rest (of mankind) had observed completely the law. For if even any other had fulfilled the commandments (contained) in the law, he would have been that Christ. And the (Ebionaeans allege) that they themselves also, when in like manner they fulfil (the law), are able to become Christs; for they assert that our Lord Himself was a man in a like sense with all (the rest of the human family)...
It really adds something of great depth and beauty to Ebionaen Christianity - we each endeavour to be Christlike - and it gives full scope to mystical side of religious experience.
Perhaps just as importantly, at the same time, it completely destroys any dictatorial powers of a clergy or Church. We don't know how the Early Ebionaens were organized ecclesiastically, but if each member of the congregation is striving to be Christlike, then the clergy does not have the role of ordained intercessors between man and God. So unless there is evidence to the contrary, we can assume that the Eboinaen congregations organized themselves, like for example the Quakers, with Elders elected by the congregation. Or if there were presbyters bishops and metropolitans, then they were there for organization, and not as ordained intercession. That's really lovely.
As we develop this thread we can gather elements for a Statement of Faith:
As to the phrase "acquired his divinity through his baptism" then I think the differences are semantic if we accept that all of us can "acquire our divinity through baptism by the Holy Spirit" and add Tertullian's caveat "although He is, to be sure, in one respect more glorious than the prophets." Thus if one views those passages through Ebionite-like eyes, "by receiving the spirit of God one acquires the divinity that we all can strive for".The Ebionaeans allege that they themselves also are able to become Christs.
I don't want to dwell on the semantics overly, because as you point out, these are the things that schisms are made of. Of more importance to me is to note that this Ebionaen view of Christ is in keeping with the view of prophethood in Islam, allowing for a fruitful dialog.
Statistics: Posted by ebion — Thu Jan 18, 2024 4:05 am