Little info on the Ebionites has survived and almost no writings. Weird.
They used a form of Matthew, without the first 2 chapters or so--no miraculous birth. They are an interesting group of early "heretical" Christians and seem particularly relevant to this conversation (perhaps a different thread though). They were Jewish Christians who followed the Law. They didn't follow Paul's teachings, but James, and they did not believe Jesus was God but he was the Messiah.
IMHO, they seem closer theologically to my understanding of the historical Jesus and his disciples than Orthodox Christianity.
Gospel of the EbionitesEbionites - Wikipedia
ABE: extra "the", and a bit about paul. sorry.
This message has been edited by Jamska, 12-15-2004 11:32 PM