Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey (Bible study)
May 9, 1993
Gundry, chapter 3
RELIGIOUS SETTING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
I. Pagan religions.
A. Greek religion.
1) Their gods expressed very human and sinful traits.
2) Paul and Barnabas were worshipped as Greek gods. Acts 14:12
3) Christians were repeatedly viewed as a threat to the
profits of the idol makers. Acts 19:23-41
B. State religion of Rome.
1) Greek gods were added in.
2) The emperor acted as the chief priest.
3) From Augustus on, Roman emperors were worshipped as gods.
a) The Antichrist will demand similar worship. 2 Thess 2:4; Rev 13
C. Mystery religions.
1) Emphasized secret rites and code words.
2) Special meals and baptisms were important, especially
for initiates.
3) Their theology often centered on a goddess who loses a
loved one, who is restored to them.
a) But the deaths of the gods are not redemptive.
b) They did not have a resurrection of the biblical type.
4) The New Testament mentions mysteries, but they are revealed
to all who believe.
There are no secrets limited to special believers.
Rom 11:25; 16:25; Eph 1:9; 3:3-9
D. Gnosticism.
1) People need "knowledge" rather than redemption.
a) The material world was considered evil, and the spirit
world good.
b) An elaborate series of angels can give this knowledge.
Col 2:18
2) Two lifestyles developed from it:
a) Asceticism. (very stern self-control)
Col 2:20-23; 1 Tim 4:3
b) Libertinism. (no self-control at all) Rom 6:1
3) The New Testament attacks early versions of gnosticism.
Modern New Age philosophies are similar.
E. Philosophies.
1) Epicureanism. Pleasure is the chief goal in life.
2) Stoicism. Accept your fate without complaining.
3) Cynics. Similar to modern hippies.
4) Sceptics. Did not believe in absolutes.
II. Judaism.
A. Synagogue worship.
1) Rivaled the Temple in importance to Jewish faith.
2) The study of the Torah (OT law) was paramount.
3) Synagogue worship is the basis for Christian worship.
4) The NT used synagogues to reach the Jews. Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14
B. Temple worship and religious festivals.
1) Sacrifices could only be offered at the Temple.
2) A heavy curtain separated the Presence of God from the
people. Matt 27:51
3) Early Christians continued to worship at the Temple.
Acts 2:46; 3:1; 5:42; 21:26
4) Festivals (Passover, Day of Atonement...) were
observed by the early Christians.
5) Early Christians also realized the Jewish system was
eclipsed by the life of Jesus. Mark 13:1-2; Hebrews 8:13
C. Old Testament Scripture.
1) Early Christians and Jesus accepted the Jewish canon.
2) The Greek translation (Septuagint) was preferred.
3) The rabbis added "walls" around the Scripture of extra
regulations, contained in the Talmud and Mishnah.
Jesus rejected these. Mark 7:5-15
III. Groups within Judaism.
A. Pharisees.
1) Outgrowth of Hasidim, from common ranks of people.
2) Very legalistic. Defenders of Jewish conservativism. Matt 23
3) Clashed with Jesus, though some later became Christians
(and still caused trouble with legalism). Acts 15:5
4) Accepted all of Old Testament, along with angels and
resurrection. Acts 23:6
B. Sadducees.
1) Strong political influence. Priestly class.
2) Focused on Law of Moses only. (Genesis - Deuteronomy)
3) Did not accept angels or resurrection. Matt 22:23; Acts 23:6
4) Did not accept additions of oral law.
C. Essenes.
1) Small sect, preserved Dead Sea scrolls.
2) More legalistic than Pharisees.
3) Some points of contact with John the Baptist.
D. Herodians and Zealots.
1) Herodians were small political group who supported Herod (and Rome).
2) Zealots were anti-Roman terrorists.
E. Scribes.
1) A professional group who interpreted Jewish law.
2) Most were Pharisees.
F. Sanhedrin.
1) The Jewish supreme court.
2) Tried Jesus, Stephen, Peter, and Paul.
3) Divided by different religious groups. Acts 23:6
