c. 190–272

Dynamic monarchianism (adoptionism): Theodotus and Paul of Samosata

Dynamic monarchianism preserved the unity of God (monarchia) by turning the divine in Christ into an impersonal power (dynamis). In Rome, under Bishop Victor, the teaching of Theodotus that Christ was a "mere man" was condemned; his followers were called psilanthropists, later Artemonites. The most prominent representative was Paul of Samosata, bishop of Antioch: the power of God dwelt in Jesus as in Moses and the prophets, differing only in quantity; baptism was the decisive event, and Jesus "is from the earth". A synod in 268 condemned Paul, but under the protection of Queen Zenobia he kept his see until 272.