Elcesaites

This is one of the Gnostic sects that existed during first century Ad. Some of their records are twined to the period of Emperor Trajan of 100Ad.

Elcesiates was formed by Elchasi from whom it drive its name.  The meaning of the name “Elchasi” means the “hidden Creator” in Hebrew tongue.

               

Growth Of The Sect

The movement was unpopular until the century when one of its adherent named Alcibiades arrived at Rome with a book he claimed that was from a just man he named as Elchasi.

Alcibiades claimed that the book was revealed by a celestial messenger of Yahweh who was ninety-six miles high, sixteen miles broad and twenty four miles across the shoulder.  He claimed that foot prints of the messenger were fourteen miles long and four miles wide and by two miles deep.

The faithful claimed that the giant messenger was accompanied by his sister, the Holy Ghost of the same dimensions.  He claimed that during the third year of Emperor Trajan, a new remission of sins was proclaimed with a method of baptism that will bestow the forgiveness upon all sinners.

Practices And Beliefs

The Elcesiates taught of the pre-existence, re-incarnation and natural birth of Yahoshea Meshiyach. The group held strongly on Mosaic laws especially on compulsory circumcision to every adherent.

The Elcesiates hold to the practice of Sabbath rest and observation.

One of the strong belief of the Elcesiates was on their method of baptism. The movement subscribe for a second baptism of its members.  The baptism is conferred in the name of Yahweh and Yahoshea Meshiyach with an adjuration of the seven witnesses as the sky, water, the Holy Spirit, the celestial messenger of prayer, oil, salt and earth.

The movement held that these elements of nature bear real witness during baptism and that such type of baptism cleanses one of his or her sins and heals his or her sickness when applied.

For instance, when a person is bitten by a mad dog, such one will be free from the poisonous effect if he runs to the river and dip himself with his clothes on and promising the seven witnesses that he will abstain from sin.  That should be followed by forty days consecutively of baptism in cold water.

The movement recommends that baptism should not be done under certain astrological stars.  The sect rejected certain parts of the Hebrew scriptures, rejected all epistles of apostles and claim of their book being fallen from heaven.  It claim that remission of sin based on its method is better than as provided through Yahoshea Meshiyach's direct teachings.

The movement made marriage a compulsory obligation for each matured member.  It equally allowed for worship of idol in order to avert persecution but such act must be done on external character but not to be settled down in the heart.

The movement held that prayers must be done facing Yerusalem alone and not the East.  It rejected animal sacrifice.  The sect rejected many of the major prophets, apostles and their works.

Elcesiates existed to tenth century but were frequently attacked by Roman Catholic Church that included it in their list of Gnostics and heretics.

In fifth century Ad, Ephiphaus of Salanus traced the Sampsaeams as descendants of earlier Elcesiates.  Also, the “Ossaens” and many other Ebionite communities were tracaed to Elcesiates.

In 10th century, Ibn-al-Nadam an Arabic writer discovered the Mogtasilah – a sect of Serbian in the desert who traced itself possibly to Elchasi sect.

In conclusion, it is certain that the Elchasi was a Gnostic Yahosheanity that had regard for personage of Yahoshea Meshiyach and equally practiced some of his ordained percepts.

It is true that they faced persecution from both Yahudeans and Roman church but cannot be taken as true sect that continued with the acts of the early apostles.

Having mixed the teachings of Yahoshea Meshiyach with self made scriptures and revelations was a show of departure from the true Yahosheanism.

Again, having been led by mere Gnostic figures or fathers instead of the promised comforter is sure definition that the movement was never a continuetionalist to Yahosheanism.

Based on this facts, though that many converts sought for Yahosheanism through Elchasai, they passed through a wrong way and hereby mixed the target. This is a piece of advice for modern sects that profess their root from Elcesiates.