Theodotus was a leather merchant from Byzantium who came to Rome around 190 A.D. He and his associates believed the Father alone was the only true God. They were later called Monarchians by Tertullian. Theodotus taught that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit and not divine by nature but only a man like any other man. He believed that Jesus' divine power was by virtue of the Holy Spirit he received at his baptism and again in his resurrection. Jesus was believed to have become divine upon his resurrection. Theodotus was excommunicated in 198 A.D.

Last Update: January 23, 2011