EPIPHANIUS
[The Cerinthians] (ca. 375)
For they use the Gospel according to Matthew-in part, because of the human genealogy, but not all of it-and they adduce this proof-text from
the Gospel: "It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher" [Matt. 10:25]. What then, they say-Jesus was circumcised; be circumcised yourself. Christ lived according to the Law, they say, and you must do the same. Hence some of these, like men seized by poisonous d**, are convinced by the specious arguments based on Christ's having been circumcised. They break with Paul because he does not accept circumcision, but they also reject him because he said, "You who would be justified by the law have fallen away from grace" [Gal. 5:4] and "If you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you" [Gal. 5:2].