Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V

What It's About

This volume gathers works by four writers of the early church — Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, and Novatian — centred on the doctrinal disputes and institutional struggles of 2nd and 3rd century Christianity. It includes Hippolytus's Refutation of All Heresies, a detailed attack on Gnostic and other heterodox sects; the substantial letters and treatises of Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, addressing church discipline, martyrdom, and the controversy over the baptism of heretics; the surviving fragments of Caius; and Novatian's treatise on the Trinity, along with texts from the schism that took his name. An appendix adds further material on the rebaptism controversy.

Key Concepts

Heresy and orthodoxy, church discipline and authority, the validity of heretical baptism, martyrdom, the Novatianist schism, and Trinitarian doctrine.

About the Author

Alexander Roberts (1826–1901) was a Scottish biblical scholar who served as a Free Church minister in Scotland and London before becoming Professor of Humanity at the University of St Andrews. James Donaldson (1831–1915) was a Scottish classical scholar who became Principal of the University of St Andrews and was knighted in 1907 for his contributions to scholarship.

About This Edition

This is an 1885 translation by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. This edition has been prepared for readability and general interest, and does not include the original scholarly footnotes. While the notes in historical editions often provide biblical references, Latin translations, and academic cross-references, they can interrupt the flow for many modern readers. The aim here is to present the text in a clear, accessible form, allowing readers to engage directly with these early Christian writings without distraction. For those who prefer a fully annotated, scholarly experience, comprehensive editions with complete footnotes remain widely available.