The Apostle Paul claimed to be still a Pharisee. Why did he continue to make this claim? Was he a new type of Pharisee or was he always a different type of Pharisee? Ac 23:6 - But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. What was a Pharisee- Pharisaios A sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to OT books the Pharisees recognised in oral tradition a standard of belief and life. They sought for distinction and praise by outward observance of external rites and by outward forms of piety, and such as ceremonial washings, fastings, prayers, and alms giving; and, comparatively negligent of genuine piety, they prided themselves on their fancied good works. They held strenuously to a belief in the existence of good and evil angels, and to the expectation of a Messiah; and they cherished the hope that the dead, after a preliminary experience either of reward or of penalty in Hades, would be recalled to life by him, and be requited each according to his individual deeds. In opposition to the usurped dominion of the Herods and the rule of the Romans, they stoutly upheld the theocracy and their country's cause, and possessed great influence with the common people. According to Josephus they numbered more than 6000. They were bitter enemies of Jesus and his cause; and were in turn severely rebuked by him for their avarice, ambition, hollow reliance on outward works, and affection of piety in order to gain popularity. At its most basic definition it meant to be separated or sanctified (holy) for God's use. It comes from the Hebrew root word parush. Its founders originally had good intentions, and some of its followers at the time of Christ had good intentions as members of the Pharisees as well. It was one of five school of thought or denominations at the time of Jesus. There is nothing different about to day concerning us following the same pattern of set different schools of thought and institutions. We read a lot of stories of how Pharisees were converted to the Way of Jesus. Why? It has something to do with some of them being honest God seekers like Saul. Not all the qualities in the above definition are bad or could be applied to every Pharisee. Here are some more honest Pharisees: Joh 3:1 - There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. Mr 15:43 - Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. (Jesus was buried in a tomb meant for a member of the Sanhedrin which had to be either a Pharisee or Sadducee since you had to be one in order to an Elder, you had to pick a side to get some where in politics like today's political parties, ain't nothing new under the sun.) Ac 6:7 - Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. (You could not be a priest at this time which was incorrect since some where not from the tribe of Levi unless you were a Pharisee or Sadducee) Hence why is Paul still calling himself a Pharisee? I think he meant something by it that we do not understand today. To be a Pharisee meant multiple things, some good and some bad depending upon the person. They were the shepherds and pastors of Israel at the time and Jesus commanded the people to obey them. Matt 23:1-3 1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. http://www.biblicallifeassembly.org/library/pdf/toap.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PhariseeThere is a great gulf between today's christian thinking and that of the first century. Paul claimed to be a Pharisee and He backed it up by his observance towards Torah. 1.He kept the Holy Festivals Ac 20:16 - For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. 2.He instructed the Corinthian church to keep the Feast of Passover 1Co 5:8 - Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 3.He made a vow and commited animal sacrifices in the manner of Torah. He did not rebuke James suggestion Ac 21:26 - Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them. 4.He called the Torah holy Ro 7:12 - Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. 5.He said that he delighted in the Torah Ro 7:22 - For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 6.He bragged on Ananias concerning him keeping the Torah Ac 22:12 -"Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 7.He obeyed the Torah Ac 21:19-24 19When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 24Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.
Paul Calling Himself A Pharisee
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(manichunter;56258)
The Apostle Paul claimed to be still a Pharisee. Why did he continue to make this claim? Was he a new type of Pharisee or was he always a different type of Pharisee? Ac 23:6 - But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. What was a Pharisee- Pharisaios A sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to OT books the Pharisees recognised in oral tradition a standard of belief and life. They sought for distinction and praise by outward observance of external rites and by outward forms of piety, and such as ceremonial washings, fastings, prayers, and alms giving; and, comparatively negligent of genuine piety, they prided themselves on their fancied good works. They held strenuously to a belief in the existence of good and evil angels, and to the expectation of a Messiah; and they cherished the hope that the dead, after a preliminary experience either of reward or of penalty in Hades, would be recalled to life by him, and be requited each according to his individual deeds. In opposition to the usurped dominion of the Herods and the rule of the Romans, they stoutly upheld the theocracy and their country's cause, and possessed great influence with the common people. According to Josephus they numbered more than 6000. They were bitter enemies of Jesus and his cause; and were in turn severely rebuked by him for their avarice, ambition, hollow reliance on outward works, and affection of piety in order to gain popularity. At its most basic definition it meant to be separated or sanctified (holy) for God's use. It comes from the Hebrew root word parush. Its founders originally had good intentions, and some of its followers at the time of Christ had good intentions as members of the Pharisees as well. It was one of five school of thought or denominations at the time of Jesus. There is nothing different about to day concerning us following the same pattern of set different schools of thought and institutions. We read a lot of stories of how Pharisees were converted to the Way of Jesus. Why? It has something to do with some of them being honest God seekers like Saul. Not all the qualities in the above definition are bad or could be applied to every Pharisee. Here are some more honest Pharisees: Joh 3:1 - There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. Mr 15:43 - Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. (Jesus was buried in a tomb meant for a member of the Sanhedrin which had to be either a Pharisee or Sadducee since you had to be one in order to an Elder, you had to pick a side to get some where in politics like today's political parties, ain't nothing new under the sun.) Ac 6:7 - Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. (You could not be a priest at this time which was incorrect since some where not from the tribe of Levi unless you were a Pharisee or Sadducee) Hence why is Paul still calling himself a Pharisee? I think he meant something by it that we do not understand today. To be a Pharisee meant multiple things, some good and some bad depending upon the person. They were the shepherds and pastors of Israel at the time and Jesus commanded the people to obey them. Matt 23:1-3 1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. http://www.biblicallifeassembly.org/library/pdf/toap.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PhariseeThere is a great gulf between today's christian thinking and that of the first century. Paul claimed to be a Pharisee and He backed it up by his observance towards Torah. 1.He kept the Holy Festivals Ac 20:16 - For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. 2.He instructed the Corinthian church to keep the Feast of Passover 1Co 5:8 - Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 3.He made a vow and commited animal sacrifices in the manner of Torah. He did not rebuke James suggestion Ac 21:26 - Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them. 4.He called the Torah holy Ro 7:12 - Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. 5.He said that he delighted in the Torah Ro 7:22 - For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 6.He bragged on Ananias concerning him keeping the Torah Ac 22:12 -"Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 7.He obeyed the Torah Ac 21:19-24 19When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 24Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.
manichunter, Let me just remind you of a few points. the time of the Gospels and the epichristian times were very different. Jesus and all his disciples were born under the Mosaic Law Covenant, and they were obliged to obey it. When Jesus died the Mosaic Law was fulfilled and became obsolete, Matt 5:17-19, Col 2:13,14, Heb 8:13.Jesus was killed on Nisan 14, 33Ce. Fifty days later on Pentecost the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples in Jerusalem. The Jews had been under the Mosaic Law for over 1500 years, so something very powerful had to be demonstrated to show the Jews that God was now favoring this group and not eh Jews any longer. On the night before Jesus' death he instituted a New Covenant, Luke 22:19,20. This covenant was for a Kingdom, The Messianic Kingdom. and was based on a much better promise, and on the blood of Jesus, not on the blood of goats and bulls as was the Mosaic Covenant, Heb 7:11-5,18,19,22-25, 8:6-13. During the epichristian times, the time just after Jesus death, these followers of Jesus first were called CHRISTIANS, at Antioch. After Paul was blinded by the light from Jesus he never claimed to be a Pharisee, but he was telling the people he used to be a Pharisee, Acts 26:5-7. The very reason Paul was always having to defend himself was because he was no longer a Pharisee, but a Christian. If Paul was still a Pharisee he would never have been persecuted. It was Christians who were persecuted, NOT Pharisees, or any of the other religious leaders of that day, Gal 1:10. To prove that Paul was not uner the Law of Moses, Paul told them several times that none of the disciples were under the Law Covenant, Rom 6:14,15, 1Cor 9:20. Remember that Paul said that he would do anything in order to save as many as he could, 1Cor 9:19-23. Paul even took Timothy and circumcised him, even though it was no longer required, so as not to offend the Jews, Acts 16:3. Paul was doing the same thing at Acts 21. Paul would do anything in order not to make the Jews cease to listen to him, as long as it was not against the New Covenant or against the Law of the dChrist, Gal 6:2. Paul was tryng not to offend anyone.
The Apostle Paul claimed to be still a Pharisee. Why did he continue to make this claim? Was he a new type of Pharisee or was he always a different type of Pharisee? Ac 23:6 - But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. What was a Pharisee- Pharisaios A sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to OT books the Pharisees recognised in oral tradition a standard of belief and life. They sought for distinction and praise by outward observance of external rites and by outward forms of piety, and such as ceremonial washings, fastings, prayers, and alms giving; and, comparatively negligent of genuine piety, they prided themselves on their fancied good works. They held strenuously to a belief in the existence of good and evil angels, and to the expectation of a Messiah; and they cherished the hope that the dead, after a preliminary experience either of reward or of penalty in Hades, would be recalled to life by him, and be requited each according to his individual deeds. In opposition to the usurped dominion of the Herods and the rule of the Romans, they stoutly upheld the theocracy and their country's cause, and possessed great influence with the common people. According to Josephus they numbered more than 6000. They were bitter enemies of Jesus and his cause; and were in turn severely rebuked by him for their avarice, ambition, hollow reliance on outward works, and affection of piety in order to gain popularity. At its most basic definition it meant to be separated or sanctified (holy) for God's use. It comes from the Hebrew root word parush. Its founders originally had good intentions, and some of its followers at the time of Christ had good intentions as members of the Pharisees as well. It was one of five school of thought or denominations at the time of Jesus. There is nothing different about to day concerning us following the same pattern of set different schools of thought and institutions. We read a lot of stories of how Pharisees were converted to the Way of Jesus. Why? It has something to do with some of them being honest God seekers like Saul. Not all the qualities in the above definition are bad or could be applied to every Pharisee. Here are some more honest Pharisees: Joh 3:1 - There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. Mr 15:43 - Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. (Jesus was buried in a tomb meant for a member of the Sanhedrin which had to be either a Pharisee or Sadducee since you had to be one in order to an Elder, you had to pick a side to get some where in politics like today's political parties, ain't nothing new under the sun.) Ac 6:7 - Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. (You could not be a priest at this time which was incorrect since some where not from the tribe of Levi unless you were a Pharisee or Sadducee) Hence why is Paul still calling himself a Pharisee? I think he meant something by it that we do not understand today. To be a Pharisee meant multiple things, some good and some bad depending upon the person. They were the shepherds and pastors of Israel at the time and Jesus commanded the people to obey them. Matt 23:1-3 1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. http://www.biblicallifeassembly.org/library/pdf/toap.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PhariseeThere is a great gulf between today's christian thinking and that of the first century. Paul claimed to be a Pharisee and He backed it up by his observance towards Torah. 1.He kept the Holy Festivals Ac 20:16 - For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. 2.He instructed the Corinthian church to keep the Feast of Passover 1Co 5:8 - Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 3.He made a vow and commited animal sacrifices in the manner of Torah. He did not rebuke James suggestion Ac 21:26 - Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them. 4.He called the Torah holy Ro 7:12 - Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. 5.He said that he delighted in the Torah Ro 7:22 - For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 6.He bragged on Ananias concerning him keeping the Torah Ac 22:12 -"Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 7.He obeyed the Torah Ac 21:19-24 19When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 24Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.
manichunter, Let me just remind you of a few points. the time of the Gospels and the epichristian times were very different. Jesus and all his disciples were born under the Mosaic Law Covenant, and they were obliged to obey it. When Jesus died the Mosaic Law was fulfilled and became obsolete, Matt 5:17-19, Col 2:13,14, Heb 8:13.Jesus was killed on Nisan 14, 33Ce. Fifty days later on Pentecost the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples in Jerusalem. The Jews had been under the Mosaic Law for over 1500 years, so something very powerful had to be demonstrated to show the Jews that God was now favoring this group and not eh Jews any longer. On the night before Jesus' death he instituted a New Covenant, Luke 22:19,20. This covenant was for a Kingdom, The Messianic Kingdom. and was based on a much better promise, and on the blood of Jesus, not on the blood of goats and bulls as was the Mosaic Covenant, Heb 7:11-5,18,19,22-25, 8:6-13. During the epichristian times, the time just after Jesus death, these followers of Jesus first were called CHRISTIANS, at Antioch. After Paul was blinded by the light from Jesus he never claimed to be a Pharisee, but he was telling the people he used to be a Pharisee, Acts 26:5-7. The very reason Paul was always having to defend himself was because he was no longer a Pharisee, but a Christian. If Paul was still a Pharisee he would never have been persecuted. It was Christians who were persecuted, NOT Pharisees, or any of the other religious leaders of that day, Gal 1:10. To prove that Paul was not uner the Law of Moses, Paul told them several times that none of the disciples were under the Law Covenant, Rom 6:14,15, 1Cor 9:20. Remember that Paul said that he would do anything in order to save as many as he could, 1Cor 9:19-23. Paul even took Timothy and circumcised him, even though it was no longer required, so as not to offend the Jews, Acts 16:3. Paul was doing the same thing at Acts 21. Paul would do anything in order not to make the Jews cease to listen to him, as long as it was not against the New Covenant or against the Law of the dChrist, Gal 6:2. Paul was tryng not to offend anyone.
(kriss;56737)
Agree jtartarBefore Christ Most all Jews were either followed Sadducee or Pharisees beliefs its not much different than our Protestant Catholic division of today.
I can relate to that. It does feel the same for that reason... Is that nobody wants to let go of their preconceived ideas. Everybody wants to be right and God wrong... Why do we even have to bring God into the mess He can't be in?
Agree jtartarBefore Christ Most all Jews were either followed Sadducee or Pharisees beliefs its not much different than our Protestant Catholic division of today.
I can relate to that. It does feel the same for that reason... Is that nobody wants to let go of their preconceived ideas. Everybody wants to be right and God wrong... Why do we even have to bring God into the mess He can't be in?
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