Editing Paul of Samosata (section)

== Teachings ==
Paul's teaching is a form of [[Monarchianism]], which emphasised the oneness of God. Paul taught that Jesus was born a mere man, but that he was infused with the divine [[Logos]] or word of God. Hence, Jesus was seen not as God-become-man but as man-become-God. In his Discourses to [[Sabinus of Spoleto]], of which only fragments are preserved in a book against heresies ascribed to Anastasius, Paul writes:

* "Having been anointed by the Holy Spirit he received the title of the anointed (i.e. Christos), suffering in accordance with his nature, working wonders in accordance with grace. For in fixity and resoluteness of character he likened himself to God, and having kept himself free from sin was united with God, and was empowered to grasp as it were the power and authority of wonders. By these he was shown to possess over and above the will, one and the same activity (with God), and won the title of Redeemer and Saviour of our race";
* "The Saviour became holy and just; and by struggle and hard work overcame the sins of our forefather. By these means he succeeded in perfecting himself, and was through his moral excellence united with God; having attained to unity and sameness of will and energy (i.e. activity) with Him through his advances in the path of good deeds. This will be preserved inseparable (from the Divine), and so inherited the name which is above all names, the prize of love and affection vouchsafed in grace to him";
* "We do not award praise to beings which submit merely in virtue of their nature, but we do award high praise to beings which submit because their attitude is one of love; and so submitting because their inspiring motive is one and the same, they are confirmed and strengthened by one and the same indwelling power, of which the force ever grows, so that it never ceases to stir. It was in virtue of this love that the Saviour coalesced with God, so as to admit of no divorce from Him, but for all ages to retain one and the same will and activity with Him, an activity perpetually at work in the manifestation of good";
* "Wonder not that the Saviour had one will with God. For as nature manifests the substance of the many to subsist as one and the same, so the attitude of love produces in the many a unity and a sameness of will which is manifested by unity and sameness of approval and well-pleasingness".

Paul was an early forerunner of [[Adoptionism]]. It was suggested that the [[Paulicianism|Paulicians]] of Armenia adhered to his teachings, and received their name from him. However, historical records show that the Paulicians were bitterly persecuted more for their [[gnostic]] and [[iconoclasm|iconoclastic]] views than for their adherence to Adoptionism.

Paul's pupil [[Lucian of Antioch]] is considered to have had a major influence on [[Arius]] the founder of [[Arianism]].

=== Eusebius' account ===
Another major source of information we have of Paul of Samosata comes from Eusebius of Caesarea, who described some of the doctrines and practices Paul displayed openly, which included:
* Receiving money for his religious services,<ref>Eusebius of Caesarea, ''Ecclesiastical History'', Book vii, Chapter xxx, Section 7.</ref> as well as paying others to preach his doctrines;<ref name="ReferenceA">Eusebius of Caesarea, ''Ecclesiastical History'', Book vii, Chapter xxx, Section 12.</ref>
* Preferring to be called an imperial procurator of queen Zenobia, rather than bishop;<ref>Eusebius of Caesarea, ''Ecclesiastical History'', Book vii, Chapter xxx, Section 8.</ref>
* He stopped the production of psalms to Christ, and trained women to sing psalms to himself<ref>Eusebius of Caesarea, ''Ecclesiastical History'', Book vii, Chapter xxx, Section 10.</ref> as an angel come down from heaven.<ref>Eusebius of Caesarea, ''Ecclesiastical History'', Book vii, Chapter xxx, Section 11.</ref>

Likewise, Eusebius hints to the fact that Paul was "too familiar" with his women followers,<ref>Eusebius of Caesarea, ''Ecclesiastical History'', Book vii, Chapter xxx, Section 13.</ref> whom he called "[[Syneisaktism|subintroductae]]".<ref name="ReferenceA"/>