A question for Christian and/or religious historians?

Question

Why was what we know today as Christianity able to be the "surviving" Christianity? Why did it surpass Gnosticism, Marcionism, Arianism, and all other forms of Christianity labled heresies?

Answer 1

First, because Constantine and the pope at that time (sorry, I cannot remember his name right now) were able to agree on a Bible and then organized a military campaign to kill all those who did not agree with them. That set up the Roman Catholic Church. Second, once the main heretics were destroyed (like the Cathars, who were wiped out man, woman and child), they went for the more minor heresies. Since the Roman Catholic Church had all the money, and all the men for the armies, there was no so called heretical force that could stand up to them. Then, they even went after some "supposedly" nonreligious people, like the Merovingians just to show that they could. The early Roman Catholic Church was one mean M....F.....

Answer 2

The way the early Christian church spread is recorded in the book of Acts in the New Testament.

During the period between Malachi and Christ, there were many writing novels and fantastic stories about Jesus Christ, his life and his parents, and other bible characters. This became a problem for the early church to decide which were inspired and which were apocryphal or not true.

As Christianity grew bigger, all the leaders of Christianity came together to form the New Testament Canon. Twenty of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament were universally accepted immediately as genuine. Only Hebrews, 2 and 3 John, 2 Peter, Jude, James, and Revelation were questioned by some.

The main objections were That Hebrews did not bear the name of its author, 2Peter differed from 1Peter in style; the writers of Jude and James called themselves servants instead of Apostles; and the writer of 1 and 2 John called himself an elder instead of an Apostle.

The question was finally settled at the council of Nice in 325 AD, of Hippo 393 AD, and of Carthage in 397 and these books were also received as genuine and authentic.

The following were the rules observed in determining inspired writings

1.To be written or approved by a prophet
2.To be recognized by the Jews as inspired and part of scripture
3.To be recognized or quoted by Christ and the Apostles
4. To be written after the messenger (John the Baptist) the prophet Malachi predicted (Mal.3:1)
5.To claim divine authority by the author
6.To be in unity with doctrine and history of Scripture

This is why Christianity as we know it today surpassed other interpretations, which were considered heresies for not conforming to the above rules.

Answer 3

Gnosticism was not based either on the old testament teachings or for that mater on Christs.
Marcionism denied the old testament and considered its self in opposition to the Hebrews.
Arianism considered Christ a created being and not the word of God and as such not a part of God.Clearly in opposition to the writings of the disciples.

Answer 4

Because it is true and based on the person of Christ, not some "secret" knowledge. Plus, at the embryo stage of the Church, we had the apostles and their students who could testify for its authenticity. The true Church survived while the counterfeits faded away. Unfortunately, there are still counterfeit "Christian" cults around today.

Answer 5

Because that particular sect of Christianity had the good fortune to have influential members in Constantine's retinue, and in the Civil Service, in Rome, while Constantine was in his ascendancy to becoming emperor. As a result, they had access to Constantine's political power, which allowed them to suppress, persecute, and even kill people who disagreed with them.

Answer 6

Because the governments stamped out all opposition to their country's religious sect and those faiths just did not make it in good with a strong ruler/country.
Didn't help that the Catholic Church thought it owned Europe and everyone in it and would kill and torture any "heretic"

Answer 7

The Truth.

Answer 8

The Church is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The amazing thing is that after two thousand years it basic rites, beliefs, and worship has NOT changed.

Truth always survives.

Answer 9

The BIBLE is the oldest book that has survived everything, even branched off religions, and it still stands as the WORD OF GOD.

Answer 10

Uh, Judaism is still alive and kicking. If it wasn't for them, there would be no Christianity in the first place.