The
Truth in Print Vol. 28 Issue 7, Aug 2022
A
Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375
W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Note: Here’s an outline / notes, etc., on the sects of the
Pharisees and Sadducees, as well as application to sects among us today.
THE SECTS, AND THE SECTS AMONG US
AT THE TIME OF JESUS’ BIRTH
Before you read about Sadducees and Pharisees, and
Herodians (a political party) in New Testament epistles, in the gospel of
Matthew you read about devout Jews in the context of the birth of Christ. Mary,
a virgin, and through whom He was brought into the world. She was espoused to
Joseph, and an angel appears to Joseph explaining the circumstances of her
pregnancy being of the Holy Spirit --- her son was to be called Jesus (Matt
1:18-25).
Joseph was just a carpenter. He didn’t know Mary intimately
until after the virgin birth, but they would have a large family (Cf. Matt
13:54-57).
Zacharias and Elizabeth
In Luke’s gospel we first read about a certain priest named
Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth. They had no child for she was barren, and
they both were well advanced in years. Notice their description: “And they were
both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of
the Lord blameless” (Lk 1:6).
Simeon
Upon the babe Jesus having been born and brought to the
temple on the eighth day according to the Law to be circumcised, we read about
Simeon. This man was “just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel:
and the Holy Ghost was upon him” (Lk 2:25). He had been told he would not die
until he had seen the Lord’s Christ, and he prophesied concerning Christ and
salvation through Him for all people, both Jews and Gentiles (Lk 2:26-35).
All of these were lowly servants of God and recognized as
such.
John in his gospel first describes John the Baptist as the
forerunner of Christ. He records John the Baptist’s testimony when the Jews
sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” It says
those here who were sent were from the Pharisees. So, here you have the sect of
Pharisees mentioned (Jo 1:19-24).
John the Baptist
As John is baptizing and preparing the way for Christ many
Pharisees and Sadducees were coming to his baptism. He called them a brood of
vipers meaning “offspring” – as their fathers before them they were serving
Satan:
Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned
you to flee from the wrath to come?
“SECT” DEFINED
Thayer:
[G139 hairesis, n.f.] Thayer Definition:
3) that which is chosen
4) a body of men following their own tenets (sect or party)
4a) of the Sadducees
4b) of the Pharisees
“SECTS” AT THE TIME OF JESUS MINISTRY
Encyclopedia Britannica article,
Pharisee
Jewish history
By The Editors of Encyclopaedia
Britannica
*Notes on Key Points
• Pharisees emerged as a distinct group shortly after the
Maccabean revolt, about 165-160 BCE (*used often instead of BC). It is believed
they were descendants of the Hasideans. Emerged as a
party of laymen and scribes in contradistinction to the Sadducees – i.e. the part of the high priesthood that had traditionally
provided the sole leadership of the Jewish people. … not primarily a political
party but a society of scholars and pietists.
•Difference…between Pharisees and Sadducees – attitude
toward the
Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and finding in it
answers to questions and decisions for their circumstances differing from those
in the time of Moses.
•Sadducees refused to accept any precepts binding unless
based directly on the Torah – i.e., the written law.
•Pharisees believed the Law God gave Moses was twofold,
consisting of the Written Law and Oral Law – i.e., the
teaching of the prophets and the oral tradition of the Jewish people.
•Insisted on the binding force of Oral Tradition (“the
unwritten Torah”) *B.L. make that the “unwritten
Torah” so called as there is no such thing. It is like dealing with Catholics’
claim of their oral tradition of the apostles handed down.
•Active period of Pharasaism
extended well into the 2nd and
3rd century CE. … Following 70 CE and the destruction of
the Temple, the Pharisees continued to promote Judaism in the centuries
following the Diaspora.
•When the Mishna (the first constituent part of the Talmud)
was compiled about 200 CE, it incorporated the teachings of
the Pharisees as Jewish law.
“SECTS” AT THE TIME OF JESUS MINISTRY
Sadducee
Jewish sect
By The Editors of Encyclopaedia
Britannica
*Notes on Key Points
•Flourished about two centuries before the destruction of
Jerusalem in 70 AD.
•Not much known of the origin or early history – name
derived from Zadok, the high priest in the time of David and Solomon.
•Party of the high priests, aristocratic families
and merchants – wealthier of the population.
•Came under the influence of Hellenism – tended have good
relations with the Roman rulers of Palestine.
•During the long period of the two parties’ struggle—which
lasted until the Romans’ destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE—the Sadducees
dominated the Temple and its priesthood.
•Claimed the written Toral (the first 5 books of the
Bible).
•Concerning the Oral Law – the post biblical Jewish legal
traditions --- these meant next to nothing to them.
•Pharisees revered the Toral but further claimed that the
Oral Tradition was part and parcel of the Mosaic Law.
•After the destruction of the temple in 70 AD the Sadducees
ceased to exist as a group, and mention of them quickly disappeared from
history.
From the scriptures we know that the Sadducees believed
there is no resurrection, neither angel nor spirit (Cf. Mat 22:23; Act 23:8).
These believed the soul of man perishes with the body.
Albert Barnes says, “they rejected all traditions, and
professed to receive only the books of the Old Testament.” You might compare Mk
7:3-4). He also says “They were far less numerous than the Pharisees, but their
want of numbers was compensated, in some degree, by their wealth and standing
in society. Though they did not generally seek office, yet several of them were
advanced to the high priesthood.”
SECTS GO WITH BAD DOCTRINE (“LEAVEN”) MATT 16:
6, 11.
Matt 16:5-12
•Warning applied to both the Pharisees and the Sadducees
(Matt 16:12).
•He had just called them hypocrites (Matt 16:1-4).
•Doctrines: Act 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no
resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
Mark 8:15
•Warned of the Pharisees, and the leaven of Herod (Mk
8:15).
•Herodians – a political party in support of ruling
descendants of Herod the Great -- that was also against the Gospel.
•Both the Pharisees and Herodians are called hypocrites ---
when professing to be honest inquirers they sought to trap Him in His talk
(Matt 22:18). In Matt 22:16 the Pharisees plotted with the Herodians – here the
Tax Question.
Lk 12:1
•The leaven of the Pharisees is hypocrisy.
Notes:
ISBE
3. Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great and Malthace, a Samaritan woman. Half Idumean, half Samaritan,
he had therefore not a drop of Jewish blood in his veins, and “Galilee of the
Gentiles” seemed a fit dominion for such a prince. He ruled as “tetrarch” of
Galilee and Peraea (Luk_3:1) from 4 bc till 39 ad. The gospel picture we have of him is far
from prepossessing. He is superstitious (Mat_14:1 f), foxlike in his cunning
(Luk_13:31 f) and wholly immoral. John the Baptist was brought into his life
through an open rebuke of his gross immorality and defiance of the laws of
Moses (Lev_18:16), and paid for his courage with his life (Mat_14:10; Ant,
XVIII, v, 2).
He is then at Jerusalem at time of Jesus’ trial. Pilate in
his perplexity had sent the Saviour bound to Herod,
and the utter inefficiency and flippancy of the man is revealed in the account
the Gospels give us of the incident (Luk_23:7-12; Act_4:27).
ALSO:
Herod Agrippa I, called Agrippa by Josephus, was the son of
Aristobulus and Bernice and the grandson of Herod the
Great and Mariamne. Educated at Rome with Claudius
(Ant., XVIII, vi, 1, 4), he was possessed of great shrewdness and tact.
… when he was forced to take sides in the struggle between
Judaism and the nascent Christian sect, he did not hesitate a moment, but assumed
the role of its bitter persecutor, slaying James the apostle with the sword and
harrying the church whenever possible (Acts 12.). He died, in the full flush of
his power, of a death, which, in its harrowing details reminds us of the fate
of his grandfather (Act 12:20-23; Ant, XIX, viii, 2).
LEAVEN DEFINED
[G2219 zumē] Thayer:
…metaph. of inveterate mental and moral corruption, I Cor. 5:[7], 8; viewed in
its tendency to infect others, Mt. 16:6,11; Mk. 8:15, Lk. 12:1, which fig.
explains of the teaching of the Phar., more correctly [definitely?] of their
hypocrisy. It is also applied to that which, though small in quantity, yet by
its influence thoroughly pervades a thing: either in a good sense...; or in a
bad sense, of a pernicious influence, as in the proverb a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, viz. a single sin corrupts a
whole church, I Co. 5:6; a … inclination to error (respecting the necessity of circumcision) easily perverts
the whole conception of faith, Gal. 5:9;…
Don’t let Thayer or other explanations throw you off ---
Mat 15 shows their problem was not just their hypocrisy.
TEACHING AS DOCTRINE THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN!
SCRIBES AND PHARISEES ASK JESUS ABOUT THE
WASHING OF HANDS:
Mat 15:1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from
Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, Mat 15:2 "Why do Your disciples
transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when
they eat bread."
Mat 15:3 He answered and said to them, "Why do you
also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
Mat 15:4 For God commanded, saying, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND
YOUR MOTHER'; and, 'HE WHO CURSES FATHER OR MOTHER,
LET HIM BE PUT TO DEATH.'
Mat 15:5 But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or
mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to
God"—
Mat 15:6 then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by
your tradition.
Mat 15:7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you,
saying:
Mat 15:8 'THESE PEOPLE DRAW NEAR TO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH,
AND HONOR ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME.
Mat 15:9 AND IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES
THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.' "
THE TRADITION “HANDED DOWN” -- I.E., THEIR
HUMAN TRADITION AND NOT WHAT WAS DELIVERED “BY WRITING” IN THE LAW OF MOSES,
BUT WHAT HAD BEEN PASSED DOWN AS BEING PROPER AND BINDING AS GOD’S LAW.
Mar 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold
the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such
things you do."
Mar 7:9 He said to them, "All too well you reject the
commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
Mar 7:10 For Moses said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR
MOTHER'; and, 'HE WHO CURSES FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM
BE PUT TO DEATH.'
Mar 7:11 But you say, 'If a man says to his father or
mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"—'
(that is, a gift to God),
Mar 7:12 then you no longer let him do anything for his
father or his mother,
Mar 7:13 making the word of God of no effect through your
tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." ß B.L, You handed down, not
God!
SCRIBES AND PHARISEES
JESUS SAID:
Mat 5:20 For I say to you, that
unless your righteousness
exceeds the righteousness of
the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes
and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you pay tithe of mint and
anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier
matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done,
without leaving the others undone.
WHEN THE PHARISEES AND CHIEF PRIESTS SENT OFFICERS TO TAKE
JESUS (JO 7):
•The Pharisees accused the officers of being deceived (Jo
7:47).
•The Pharisees had no respect for the common people (Jo
7:49)
1) The Pharisees and the blind man and his parents show
that in John 9:13-41.
•Nicodemus, one of them (Jo 3:1 a Pharisee), questioned
their evil ways (Jo 7:50-52), *Cf. Isa. 9:1-2 and compare with their claim
here. We later see Nicodemus turn and accept Christ: Joh19:39 And Nicodemus,
who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and
aloes, about a hundred pounds.
Note:
1) “Chief priests” – Vincent’sW.Study: All the chief priests – those who had
served as high priest before -- It may possibly have included the heads of the
twenty-four courses of priests.
2) The encyclopedia Britannica says, “every village had at
least one scribe.”
ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
SCRIBES
The priests were therefore also in the first instance the
scholars and the guardians of the Law; but in the course of time this was
changed. … there developed a class of scholars who, though not priests, devoted
themselves assiduously to the Law. These became known as the scribes, that is,
the professional students of the Law.
During the Hellenistic period, the priests, especially
those of the upper class, became tainted with the Hellenism of the age and frequently
turned their attention to paganistic culture, thus neglecting the Law of their
fathers more or less and arousing the scribes to
opposition. Thus, the scribes and not the priests were now the zealous
defenders of the Law, and hence, were the true teachers of the people. At the
time of Christ, this distinction was complete. The scribes formed a solid
profession which held undisputed sway over the thought of the people.
(*B.L. Hellenistic period – between death of Alexander the
Great in 323 BC and emergence of the Roman Empire, as signified by the Battle
of Actium in 31 BC and conquest of the Ptolemaic Egypt the following year.)
SCRIBES WERE CALLED RABBI, TEACHER, FATHER.
• “they say and do not” (Matt
23:1-4)
•All their works they do to be seen of men (Matt 23:5)
•Do not be called Rabbi (*Master), father, or Teacher (Matt
23:8-10).
ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
LAWYER
Lawyer …the word means “according or pertaining to law,”
i.e. legal; as noun, “an expert in law,” “about the law,” “lawyer” (Mat_22:35;
Luk_7:30; Luk_10:25; Luk_11:45, Luk_11:46, Luk_11:52; Luk_14:3; Tit_3:13)): The
work of the “lawyers,” frequently spoken of as “scribes,” also known as
“doctors” of the law (Luk_2:46 margin), was first of all that of jurists. Their
business was threefold: (1) to study and interpret the law; (2) to instruct the
Hebrew youth in the law; (3) to decide questions of the law. The first two they
did as scholars and teachers, the last as advisers in some court.
•Matt 22:34-35 The lawyer was a Pharisee who asked which is
the great commandment in the Law.
•Lk 10:25-29 Here a lawyer got essentially the same answer
as given to the one in Matt 22, when he asked what to do to inherit eternal
life. Jesus admits the lawyer gave the right answer, then what did he, the
lawyer, turn and do in Lk 10:29? Seeking to justify himself he asked, Who is my
neighbor? ß “they
say and do not.”
This is followed by the certain Samaritan that helped the
man who was beaten and robbed and left half dead – a priest came down the road
and passed by the man left half dead -- a Levite saw him and passed on by, but
a Samaritan had compassion on him and helped him at his own expense. Jesus then
asked the lawyer, Luk 10:36 So which of these
three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" Luk 10:37 And he said, "He who showed mercy on
him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
•Lk 11:44-45 Jesus called scribes and Pharisees hypocrites
(in a Pharisee’s own house with them present) – in so doing one lawyer was
offended and said, “You reproach us also.” And then Jesus said much more to the
lawyers for all to hear: Luk 11:52 “Woe to you
lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge.
You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you
hindered."
THE COUNCIL
Encyclopedia Britannica article,
Sanhedrin
Judaism
*Notes
•Sanhedrin – any of several official Jewish councils in
Palestine under Roman rule, to which various political, religious, and judicial
functions have been attributed.
•Sanhedrin, the term became the designation for the supreme
Jewish legislation and judicial court – the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.
•There were also local or provincial sanhedrins
of lesser jurisdiction and authority.
•According to the Talmudic sources, including the tractate
Sanhedrin, the Great Sanhedrin was a court of 71 sages that met on fixed
occasions in the Lishkat La-Gazit (“Chamber of the
Hewn Stones”) in the Jerusalem Temple…
Note: There are warnings when reading about these sects on
information from the Talmud (written by the Pharisees, some say), and
information from Josephus (also a Pharisee and yet a Roman sympathizer) are not
to be viewed as all that reliable. I know the scriptures are reliable.
THE COUNCIL
Scriptures:
•At the garden Judas came from the chief priests and the
scribes and the elders (Mk 14:43); in Lk 22:52 chief priests, captains of the temple,
and the elders who had come are mentioned.
Note: “elders” – Thayer: 2a) among the Jews 2a1) members of
the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the
people, judges, etc., were selected from elderly men) 2a2) of those who in
separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice.
•They led Him to the high priest…with him were all the
chief priests, the elders, and the scribes (Mk 14:53).
•The chief priests and all the council sought testimony
against Him to put Him to death (Mk 14:55).
•The high priest questioned Jesus (Mk 14:60).
•They all condemned Him to death (Mk 14:64).
•In the morning the chief priests held a consultation with
the elders and scribes and the whole council. (Cf. Lk 22:66).
THE COUNCIL
Peter and John arrested
Scriptures:
•Act 4:1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the
captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,
•Act 4:5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their
rulers, elders, and scribes,
•Act 4:6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John,
and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem
•Act 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out
of the council, they conferred among themselves,
THE COUNCIL
Apostles arrested
Scriptures:
•Act 5:17 Then the high priest rose up,
and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they
were filled with indignation,
•Act 5:18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them
in the common prison.
•Act 5:21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple
early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came
and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel,
and sent to the prison to have them brought.
•Act 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them
before the council. And the high priest asked them,
•Act 5:33 When they heard this, they were furious and
plotted to kill them.
•Act 5:34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee
named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and
commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.
1) NOTE: Gamaliel was a Pharisee. First, this is man’s respect;
second, there is no evidence Gamaliel ever believed in Christ. He was Paul’s
teacher – and Paul had the same flaw his Teacher did!
THINGS THEY DID, SOUGHT AFTER
•Mar 3:6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately
plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
1) Mar 3:1-6. Jesus looked on them with justified anger,
knowing they sought to accuse Him if he healed on the Sabbath day. He healed
the man with the withered hand in their synagogue on this occasion.
•Matt 16:1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and
testing Him asked that He show them a sign from heaven.
1) Matt 16:1-4. They were fighting against the works of
Christ and His message and purpose in coming. He called them hypocrites, for
they could discern the face of sky (weather), “but you cannot discern the signs
of the times” – of His coming and purpose. They were part of a wicked and
adulterous generation.
•Matt 22:15-22. The Tax Question. The Pharisees sent
disciples with the Herodians – who pretended to be righteous (sincere) though
sent to entangle Him in His speech. He called them hypocrites (Matt 22:18).
•Matt 27:62-66. The chief priests and Pharisees asked
Pilate if they could make the tomb secure and said of Jesus, “that deceiver
said, ‘After three days I will rise.’” The chief priests, with the scribes and
elders had blasphemed with others as He hung on the cross (Matt 27:41).
•Matt 28:11-15. The chief priests assembled with the elders
and consulted together – they gave a bribe to the guards, so they’d say, “Tell
them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.” They
promised to appease the governor should he hear of this.
“SECT” DEFINED
Thayer’s definitions:
G139 3. that which is chosen, a chosen course of thought
and action; hence one’s chosen opinion, tenet; acc. to the context, an opinion
varying from the true exposition of the Christian faith (heresy): 2 Pet 2:1.
G139 4. a body of men separating themselves from others and
following their own tenets [a sect or party]: as the Sadducees, Acts 5.17; the
Pharisees, Acts 15.5; 26.5; the Christians, Acts 24.5,14 (in both instances
with a suggestion of reproach); 28.22.
G139 5. dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and
aims: Gal 5.20; I Cor 11:19. ß
*B.L., there is more going on than just opinions.
W.E. Vine The Expanded Vines, Expository Dictionary of New
Testament Words:
SECT
HARESIS (G139
αἵρεσις),
a choosing, is translated “sect” throughout the Acts, except in 24:14, A.V.,
“heresy” (R.V., “sect”); it properly denotes a predilection either for a
particular truth, or for a perversion of one, generally with the expectation of
personal advantage; hence, a division and formation of a party or sect in
contrast to the uniting power of “the truth,” held in toto; a sect is a
division developed and brought to an issue; the order “divisions, heresies”
(marg. “parties”) in “the works of the flesh” in Gal. 5:19-21 is suggestive of
this. See HERESY.
HERESY
HAIRESES (G139 αἵρεσις)
denotes (a) a choosing, choice (from haireomai,
to choose); then, that which is chosen, and hence, an opinion, especially a
self-willed opinion, which is substituted for submission to the power of truth,
and leads to a division and the formation of sects, Gal. 5:20 (marg.,
“parties”); such erroneous opinions are frequently the outcome of personal
preference or the prospect of advantage; see 2 Pet. 2:1, where “destructive”
(R.V.) signifies leading to ruin; (b) as sect; this secondary meaning,
resulting from (a), is the dominating significance in the N.T., Acts
5:17; 15:5; 24:5,14; 26:5; 28:22; “heresies” in I Cor. 11:19 (see
marg.). See SECT.
PAUL GAVE UP THE SECT OF THE PHARISEES UPON
CONVERSION TO CHRIST
TO THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI:
Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware
of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! ß
“mutilation” G#2699 “concision” or “cutting off” – possibly a play on their
binding circumcision and the law upon Christians for justification.
Php 3:3 For we are the
circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have
no confidence in the flesh,
1) For an explanation of the “true” circumcision see Rom
2:28-29; Col 2:11-12, baptism.
Php 3:4 though I also
might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence
in the flesh, I more so:
Php 3:5 circumcised the
eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the
Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 concerning zeal,
persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which
is in the law, blameless. *Persecuting the church as a Pharisee.
Php 3:7 But what things
were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
PAUL BEFORE KING AGRIPPA, BERNICE (AGRIPPA’S
SISTER), AND FESTUS THE NEW GOVERNOR -- WITH OTHER PROMINENTS:
Note: Having already been false accused of desecrating the
Temple before Felix (the prior governor) – by the high priest Ananias and some
elders – an orator named Tertullus brought the
charges (Act 24:1-2).
Act 26:4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent
from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know.
Act 26:5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing
to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a
Pharisee.
Act 26:9 “Indeed, I myself thought
I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Act 26:10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the
saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests;
and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.
Act 26:11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and
compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I
persecuted them even to foreign cities.
*chief priests – are Sadducees.
PAUL TO THE CHURCHES OF GALATIA:
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to
please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
Gal 1:11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel
which was preached by me is not according to man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I
taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal 1:13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism,
how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
Gal 1:14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my
contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the
traditions of my fathers.
Note: There is a lot said here about what Paul used to do
when a Pharisee.
TROUBLE TO THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH
Act 15:1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught
the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of
Moses, you cannot be saved."
Act 15:2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small
dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and
certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders,
about this question.
Act 15:3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they
passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the
Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
Act 15:4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were
received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all
things that God had done with them.
Act 15:5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed
rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise
them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." ß HERE IS “HERESY”! Cf. Acts
15:24, “our number …to whom we gave no such commandment.” (Cf. Gal 2:4-6,
“false brethren”). Peter put this kind of thing down in the Jerusalem church
before in Acts 11:1-18, when he explained the conversion of the Gentiles. Peter
himself was rebuked for not eating with Gentiles at Antioch when certain men
came from James – prior to their arrival he had eaten with the Gentile
Christians – he was found a hypocrite and sinner (Gal 2:11-16f). Think about
what the apostles at Jerusalem, and the elders in the church there, must have
thought when another apostle, Paul, with other Christians came to let them know
about this heresy --- do you suppose there was shame as you think about what
was going on in the church at Jerusalem?
SOME DO THINK THEY CAN COUNSEL GOD
Isa 40:13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as
His counselor has taught Him?
Isa 40:14 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed
Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And
showed Him the way of understanding?
---------------------------
Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both
of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments
and His ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 “FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD? OR WHO
HAS BECOME HIS COUNSELOR?"
Rom 11:35 “OR WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM AND IT SHALL BE
REPAID TO HIM?"
Rom 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all
things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
SOME DO THINK THEY CAN COUNSEL GOD (Rom
11:33-36).
ü God planned
redemption and what the church of Christ is.
ü Look
at the way brethren speak when they want to justify our brethren forming human
organizations – it is as if working through Human Organizations they build is
the role God has given for His church – books are written to justify
apostasies: “We Have A Right”.
ü What
Paul advanced in wasn’t the Mosaic Law. When you read about the Pharisees they
added “more” than the Law and Old Testament doctrine.
ü What Paul
admits he did shows what one who wanted the “club’s” recognition was capable of doing!
ü Pharisees
in the church added more than New Testament doctrine.
TRADITIONS HANDED DOWN TODAY HAVE A BEGINNING
Today sects associated with mere Human Tradition can be
seen for what they are when not the New Testament plan and pattern for Christ’s
church (Matt 16:18).
Mat 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on
this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail
against it.
Mat 16:19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of
heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever
you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
1) IT IS HIS CHURCH:
1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God
which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I
have laid the foundation, and another buildeth
thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth
thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is
laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
TRADITIONS HANDED DOWN TODAY HAVE A BEGINNING
ü TODAY
SECTS ASSOCIATED WITH MERE HUMAN TRADITION CAN BE SEEN FOR WHAT THEY ARE – WHEN
NOT THE NEW TESTAMENT PLAN AND PATTERN CHRIST GAVE FOR HIS CHURCH (MATT
16:18-19).
ü PETER
HAD TO MAKE HIS OWN ADJUSTMENTS AS WELL AS HELP OTHERS DO THE RIGHT THINGS TO
MAINTAIN GOD’S KNOWLEDGE.
ü THE
CHURCH AT JERUSALEM HAD TO BE LIKE THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH AND NOT GIVE IN TO
HERESY.
ü WE
KNOW WHEN FLORIDA COLLEGE BEGAN AS AN INSTITUTION THAT INTRUDES INTO THE WORK
CHRIST GAVE HIS CHURCHES. BRETHREN SHOULD HAVE STOPPED IT BUT DIDN’T!
ü WE KNOW
WHEN THE GUARDIAN OF TRUTH FOUNDATION DID THE SAME THING. WHY IS IT TOLERATED
BY UNFAITHFUL BRETHREN? BECAUSE SOME THINK WE MUST HAVE FLORIDA COLLEGE!
ü THE
ARLINGTON MEETING (1968) -- IT WAS OBVIOUS WHICH ONES CAME WITH THE INTENT OF
JUSTIFYING THE HUMAN INSTITUTIONS OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING, BOTH FROM AMONG “US”
AND THE “INSTITUTIONAL” BRETHREN.
CONCLUSION:
· SECTS
will destroy the N.T. church with their own human
traditions, i.e., apostasies –
and we know the dates when some of these started – F.C. planning and opening –
the Cogdill Foundation (a business enterprise)
wanting contributions to send free tracts to foreign lands – today’s Guardian
of Truth Lectureship, etc. There are many organizations today.
1) Every dollar contributed to the society robs
God’s divine organization, the local church, by just that much!
2) As churches diminish in size and some disband –-
brethren’s enthusiasm will increase for working through Societies.
3) What churches are allowing members to put on
their bulletin boards says a lot about the power and influence of societies
among us.
4) If you can do the work through the society then
why do you need the local church?
· Churches
will have lesson guides on “Authority” approved and never mention our “sects.”
· Too
many through the years wanted to set on the side lines so to speak –- and
preachers lest their support get cut.
· Lest
anyone be deceived by a claim that F.C. teaches the
truth about the church of
Christ --- the very fact that members of Christ’s church organized and then
built that institution to engage in teaching the Word and worship makes it
unscriptural – their work intrudes into the work Christ gave to the churches.
· Take
heed brethren, for things can change quickly in a local
church and especially when you
have members intent on promoting these sects. The next thing you know they’ll
be working on your children wanting them to go to F.C. Camp – then it won’t
just be the visitors coming through at camp time that will be wanting to know
why your kids aren’t in camp. F.C. Camp is indeed an introduction to
institutionalism!
· The
Arlington Meeting (1968) was meeting between some of
“our” preachers and some
preachers of those we called the “institutional” churches of Christ that had
split away. The institutional churches practiced church to church contributions
in evangelism, as well supported human organizations (orphan homes, etc.) from
their church treasuries.
This meeting was arranged privately – with some talk of how
to attain unity, but in their written account that didn’t appear as something
that was going to happen at all.
One of the obvious things in the meeting is how some among
“our” brethren came with the intent of justifying human institutions of their
choosing as well. Remember, Florida College was in existence when the church
divided over church cooperation and the church support of human societies
(institutions).
Roy Cogdill said on pg. 70:
The Missionary Society as another organization is excluded
by the specification of the local church as God’s organization. For the same
reason the “local church” organization “specifically required” by God excludes
as an “excluded specific” the “Orphan Home,” as another organization; not just
a work, but co-ordinate with the local church.”
Later he explains this with when the church supports the
human organization then it must classify as a coordinate with the local church
– and then it is an “excluded specific” for it adds to God’s arrangement and
therefore His Word.
This is the standard answer given among “our” brethren who
support Human Societies engaged in teaching and worship, and benevolence to
saints, i.e., the local church is sufficient to do its work, but another
organization built by brethren engaged in edification is not the local church
working – their assumption is when the local church is not supporting it that
authorizes it.
At the Arlington Meetings (1968) the “institutionals”
who supported various brotherhood organizations from their treasuries threw one
of the institutions among “us” (known as N.I.s or “non-institutionals”)
right in the N.I.’s face – the Akin Foundation that supported churches of
Christ. In one discussion of co-operation of churches, Hulen
Jackson stated “...It is evident that we don’t believe that a church’s work is
limited by its own financial resources, and to be perfectly honest with you I
don’t believe that you either believe or practice that.” Then he uses “our”
Akin Foundation. He said:
“Could a local
church plan a work and ask the Akin Foundation for financial assistance on that
project? I frankly feel that they can and do not violate any scriptural
principle in doing so. No church autonomy has been violated in the least. Your
Akin Foundation for years has done a great work in this very way
and I heartily endorse it (Pg. 287).
Roy Cogdill said the institutionals’ Abilene Christian College is a coordinate
with the local church (it is another organization) and is made a church
institution when churches support it.
The institutionals let “us” know
that they didn’t think for a second some of “us” did not believe that another
organization could be connected to churches of Christ. Reverse the money flow
now and have it come from the human institution to the local church. What is
that institution doing when the local church takes from it and becomes
dependent upon it? Many among us refused to acknowledge the Akin Fund as
scriptural and would have no part of it, both individuals and churches.
What do you learn? The scriptures establish what the church
of Christ is -– not the kind of thinking just described of some individuals of
either side, “institutionals” or those among “us”,
who sought to justify the society(s) of their own choosing. Of course, at the
Arlington Meeting an effort was made by some individuals to try and justify
Florida College. See Harry Pickup Jr., page 129; James W. Adams, pg. 137. To
keep the church as God gave it the society that intrudes into the works He gave
the churches must go! All necessary correction (restoration) must be made back
to the New Testament scriptural pattern for Christ’s church.
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ
85364
(928) 782-5058 ~
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00;
Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm
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learn more call, visit or visit our website at: