Carpocratians

The Carpocratians were a 2nd century Gnostic group founded by Carpocrates of Alexandria.

They believed in Gnosis, nontrinitarianism, antinomianism, free love, reincarnation and communalism. They taught that Jesus is not God, but was merely a wise philosopher who earned the title of Son of God. They were believed to be in possession of an image of Jesus painted by Pontius Pilate, as well as a Secret Gospel written by Mark. The only Scriptures they accepted were the Secret Gospel of Mark and the Epistle to the Hebrews.

Like other Gnostic groups, they cursed the material world and believed that through the assumption of knowledge, they could transcend it and be reincarnated in Heaven after death, but if they did not, they would be reincarnated on earth. This idea is similar to the ideas put forth by earlier Buddhism and Pythagoreanism, and later Manicheaism.

The Carpocratians were mentioned in the writings of Irenaeus of Lyon and Clement of Alexandria. They became one of the most developed Gnostic mystery cults, lasting around 400 years before becoming defunct by the 6th century. Members were branded with a hot iron behind the ear and had secret greetings, signs, and symbols, as well as a hierarchy.