in church history, Christian heretics in the IIId century, followers of Noetus, a philosopher of Ephesus, who pretended that he was another Moses, sent by God; and that his brother was a new Aaron. His heresy consisted in affirming that there was but one person in the Godhead; and that the Word and the Holy Spirit were but external denominations, given to God, in consequence of different operations; that as Creator, he is called Father; as Incarnate, Son; and as descending on the apostles, Holy Ghost.