Secret Heresies

The fact that many heresies were secretely brought in makes it very hard to follow unbiblical changes historically. Those implementing the changes worked secretely.

Such as Ignatius quoting the newly understood Bishop system in all his writings. He wrote with a style that many would question their own understanding, and then slowly adopt the reasoning for city wide Bishops. The first diocese system was around Rome under Clement. He implemented the government around Rome and the surrounding area.

2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

The word privily means to use stealth or be secretive.

That is why it is hard to follow all changes from truth historically. It is hard to identify exactly where the change started, and who actually introduced it.

It makes it easy for apologists to use arguments like:

"We find no opposition to a particular doctrine in the early 2nd century or early days of the church".

There was not an immediate outcry because they were using stealth.

Many doctrines were brought in this way. It uses the term heresies (plural)

Changes in Church organization

Infant Baptism

Maryology

I was listning to RC Sproul support infant baptism, and his main argument was the lack of opposition to it in the 2nd century. There was some opposition, but because it was brought in through stealth, it made it hard to follow.

Just remember a lack of opposition does not mean it is explicitly taught in scripture.

Sproul later acknowledged infant baptism was not explicitly taught in the New Testament.