Historical secret sects rejected by early Christianity

The early stages of Christianity were characterized by complexity due to the existence of various beliefs, interpretations, and divisions. However, with the establishment of Christianity as a religion and the formation of the Church, particularly the Catholic Church, most of these alternative teachings faded away. The individuals who established these sects were referred to as Gnostics. They claimed to possess secretive knowledge about God and the divine, had different perspectives on Jesus and his teachings, and were considered heretical by the early Church, resulting in the destruction of many of their writings. Curious to learn more?

Let's explore some of these sects, their doctrines, and the reasons behind their rejection by mainstream Christianity.