Christian Cyclopedia

(apocatastasis, apokatastasis [Gk. word in Acts 3:21]; restoration). View that all moral creatures (mankind, angels, and devils) will finally be saved. Arose in the time of Clement* of Alexandria. Ascribed, perhaps falsely, to Origen* (cf. J. A. Quenstedt,* Theologia didactico-polemica, Part I, Ch. XIV, Sect. II, Question V, Antithesis, I). Opposed by Augustine* of Hippo. Not supported by Acts 3:21, which speaks of the fulfillment of all things spoken by God's prophets. Adopted by some Anabaptists and in whole, in part, or in modified form by some others. Condemned and rejected by AC XVII, See also Hereafter, B 7; Unitarianism; Universalism.