Meaning and origin of the word sabellian

Alphabet filter

sabellian

Definition of sabellian:

part of speech: noun

A follower of Sabellius, a philosopher in the third century, who taught that there is only one person in the Godhead, and that the Son and Holy Spirit are only different attributes, emanations, or functions of God the Father.
part of speech: adjective

Pert. to Sabellius and his doctrines.

To men who dreaded the return of Sabellian confusion, Arianism was at least an error in the right direction. "The Arian Controversy" – H. M. Gwatkin
The analogies which are used to explain the Trinity are all either Sabellian or Tritheistic. "Orthodoxy: Its Truths And Errors" – James Freeman Clarke
There were only half a dozen Arians left in the council, and too precise a definition might lead to dangers on the Sabellian side. "The Arian Controversy" – H. M. Gwatkin
The two, however, are properly identical, for there is no likeness but that of unity, and no use in the idea of likeness but to exclude Sabellian confusion. "The Arian Controversy" – H. M. Gwatkin

Mead