One of the earliest sects of Christianity was Montanism. Like many of the early splinter groups, it was named after its founder, in this case, Montanus. We do not know much about Montanus, other than he lived in the second century and was active in Phrygia in Asia Minor.
Montanus was accompanied by two women, Prisca and Maximilla, and all three of them were active in prophecy. In fact, the movement was sometimes known as the New Prophecy, specifying post-apostolic prophecy.
Montanism was generally considered a heresy, although some church leaders seemed uncertain. It came down to how once defined heresy.
They believed in ecstatic worship and they promoted the ministry of women. They say prophecy as being active and certain persons as having the role of prophets. There was a mix of Trinitarian and Monarchist believers among the Montanus.
In many ways, the Montanists were similar to the Pentecostals who emerged in the early twentieth century. They too were looked at with suspicion and some Christians today continue to condemn claims of continued prophecy.
The great Church Father Tertullian eventually joined the Montanist movement and was seen as being a heretic by some for this move.
