Carpocrates

Carpocrates was an early Christian heretic from the 2nd century who founded a sect called Carpocratians. They believed in spiritual enlightenment through personal experiences and rejected some orthodox Christian teachings, especially regarding the material world and the nature of Jesus. They emphasized Gnostic ideas, viewing salvation as secret knowledge that frees the soul from the physical body. Their beliefs often included practices seen as unorthodox or controversial, like questioning authority and exploring spiritual freedom. Overall, Carpocrates and his followers represented an early attempt to interpret Christianity differently, emphasizing individual spiritual knowledge over church dogma.