The Carpocratians (Greek: Καρποκρατιανοὶ) was a Gnostic sect partially based on Platonism that was established in the 2nd century AD and existed until the 6th.
Only fragmentary sources remain about their beliefs and practices, and proto-orthodox Christians of the time mischaracterised their theology to discredit them, accusing them of debauchery.
The Carpocratians were Gnostics,[1] believing in a dualism of evil matter and good spirit, and pursuing gnosis, the esoteric knowledge needed for salvation.
After initially working with God, souls were imprisoned by the 'builders' in bodies and can only be free after living every form of life and committing every possible act.
This being imprisoned souls in bodies until they 'paid the uttermost farthing' (Matthew 5:26, King James Version), won freedom and re-joined God.
In the Carpocratian world view, Jesus was seen as excellent in holiness and virtue, and possessing a great elasticity of mind that enabled him to remember his (and all other humans') previous existence with the Primal Being.
[2] They backed this claim by quoting the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached that '[t]ruly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny' (Matthew 5:26, English Standard Version).
Sexuality was seen as part of the material world, and the commandment against adultery a 'joke' by the God of the Jews, who first gave an urge then forbade humans from acting on it.
Thomas Whitley characterises the Carpocratian movement as a sign of the opposition to the emerging ascetic demands of the early Christian religion.
This was refuted as a legend by 19th century scholars who argued that the cult of a local moon god (theos epiphanes) was mistakenly applied to him.