Test The Spirits - Maximilla

D. 179

The verdict is still out on Maximilla. She and her colleague Priscilla were either courageous prophets or dangerous heretics. They belonged to a Christian sect that emerged in the late 100s in Phrygia (part of modern-day Turkey). The group became known as Montanists (after Montanus, their founder), but they called themselves “spiritual” Christians, setting themselves apart from other “carnal” Christians.

You could imagine that this wouldn’t go over well with all those other Christians. Always mindful of Christ’s return, the Montanists mandated a strict lifestyle. They also believed that the Holy Spirit was still giving messages through prophets—such as Maximilla and Priscilla.

The established church felt threatened, and many Christian leaders harshly criticized this movement. Hippolytus asserted that the Montanists were deceived by these two so-called prophetesses, exalting them above the apostles. While he acknowledged that the Montanists agreed with the established church on the main points of faith, he was uneasy with their “novelties”—including females in leadership and their diet of radishes. Some had problems with the fact that Maximilla and Priscilla had left their husbands. Other critics accepted that the group was experiencing supernatural power but assumed it was demonic. Two bishops tried to exorcise the prophetesses.

Maximilla seems to have been the most vocal of the Montanist leaders. She is reported to have said, “The Lord sent me as a devotee, revealer, and interpreter of this promise and covenant. I was compelled, willing or unwilling, to learn the knowledge of God.” Rejected by official church leaders, she complained, “I am driven from the sheep like a wolf. I am not a wolf. I am Word and Spirit and Power.” She predicted that, after her death, the end would come for the Christian church. That didn’t quite happen. She died in 179.

So what are we to make of this woman? What can we learn from her? Christian historians still disagree on her legacy, so we’re not going to solve that matter on these pages. Our challenge, however, is always to “test the spirits,” as John told us (1 John 4:1, NIV). Turn away from those voices that do not express the truth and grace and love of Jesus. Open up to those that do.

Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

1 John 4:1