Doctrinal Studies by Dr. Bryan J. Hult www.renewingtruth.blogspot.com Feel free to use my content, but please give credit to my work.

Copyright 2002 Bryan J. Hult Political, Religious and Cultural Background Surrounding Christs First Advent GAL 4:4 But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, GAL 4:5 in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. When Jesus was born, it was during the greatest period of history the world had then seen. The politics were well under the control of Rome which led to the Pax Romanus = the Peace of Rome. The Religious setting allowed for tremendous choice in thought and teaching. And the Culture had reached a zenith of travel, communication, currency, and writings. This was the fulness of time. But how did these affect the life ministry of the Lord? What can we learn from this for our own lives and ministry in 1993? Let's look at these three areas of life in Palestine leading up to Jesus birth and note several things about the political, religious, and cultural environment at the time of Jesus' earthly life. 00000000I. Political Setting (Relgious, Cultural) A. Internationally, Rome was the ruling world power. Palestine had seen the rise and fall of four empires during the four hundred years of silence during the intertestimental period. That period, we have called the four hundred years of silence, but that is only because God did not give any new revelation, until John the Baptist began his ministry. But the 400 years is a fascinating study of world events, religious turmoil and development, and cultural evolution. B. Persians 538 - 332 B.C. Beginning with Cyrus who sent the Jews back into the land after the exile down to the invasion of Alexander the Great C. The Grecian period 332-167 B.C. Beginning with the lightning expansion of Alexander, who succumbed to immorality and died very young, leaving his empire to four generals, who they themselves and their descendants vied for land and power. D. Maccabean period 167-63 B.C. Beginning when the Maccabean family shut down Antiochus Epiphanes' debauchery and blasphemy in the temple, and established their own rule. This was a civil rule although they sought to follow religious standards. E. Roman period 63 B.C. Beginning with Pompey who invaded Palestine and outraged Jews by entering the Holy of Holies. However with the coming of the Caesars, relative peace was established for 100 years. 1. We ought to note the two Caesars who ruled during Jesus day. a. Augustus Caesar 31 B.C. - A.D. 14 (Octavian as the one who defeated Mark Anthony) b. Tiberius Caesar A.D. 14-37

F.00 Politically, Palestine was ruled by vassal kings and governors under the emperorship of the Caesars. The Herodian dynasty began in 40 B.C. following the rule of Antipater, who was the last of the Maccabean influence. G. What was significant in all this? The rule of Rome and the Herods in Palestine represented the times of the Gentiles coming into fruition. This time of the gentiles overlapped the Jewish Age and would continue until the Second Advent of Jesus Christ, when He establishes His millennial rule. H. LUK 21:24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." Jerusalem has been controlled by Gentiles since before the birth of Christ, but literally under the foot of Gentiles from 70 A.D. and will be under until the Lord's return. I. How did politics affect Jesus? 1. Jesus made an issue of politics only when directly asked and He was obedient to the laws. MAT 22:21 They *said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He *said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's." 2. Jesus knew the true authority of political rule JOH 19:10 Pilate therefore *said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" JOH 19:11 Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me up to you has {the} greater sin." 3. He fulfilled His ministry regardless of politics Matt. 26:50-54 II.00 Religious Setting A. Graeco-Roman religions held 1. Epicureans - viewed the soul as mortal and pleasure as the chief end of life. Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we may die. 2. Stoics - promoted asceticism or the restraint from all passions. Total restraint meant rising to perfection. 3. Academics - Agnostics who held that objective truth could not be known. They doubted the existence of God and were uncertain as to the relative values of virtue and vice 4. Platonists - Conceived of a high God, but limited His perfections. 5. Aristotelians - Deists - God was a principle, but indifferent concerning the affairs of men. 6. Tactitus - to corrupt and be corrupt is the spirit of the times. Family life had disintegrated, divorce was common, 6 million slaves who were harshly treated, or killed at the least suspicion. Rom. 1:18-32 was common place. The world was divided between the poor and the wealthy aristocracy. B.0 Jewish religion a. The majority of the Jews in Christ's time were intensely religious, but this was largely manifested in deism, self-righteousness and licentiousness, but also a remnant who looked for redemption. 1.0 Pharisees - were the puritans of their day separating from civil and Greek influence into Palestine. They developed the synagogue as a place of prayer and Scripture study, seeking to preserve the traditional interpretations of Scripture. They were the religious party of the common people.

a. They had honorable beginnings during the time of the Maccabeans, but 150 years later during Jesus ministry, they were empty religionists, devoid of faith or spiritual life. b. They were zealous in tithing wild herbs, straining drinking water for fear of swallowing an impure gnat, ritual washing of cups and dishes, ritual washings before meals, long prayers in public and believed in angels and resurrection 2.0 Sadducees - were the political party of the Jewish aristocratic priesthood from the times of the Maccabees to the final fall of the Jewish state in A.D. 70. They worked in the temple and limited their teaching to the torah, Pentateuch, first 5 books of the Bible. The did not believe in resurrection, angels, or the spirit world. They were not so concerned with Jesus until His claims of being messiah. They were in constant rivalry with the Pharisees. 3. The Scribes - were a class of Jews who devoted themselves to the scientific study of the law, and the teaching of the law because of their knowledge of it. 4. Essenes were a Jewish communal group living on the Northwest end of the Dead Sea. They were separatists like the Pharisees, but their separation was theological, social and related to worship. They were highly restrained to worldly desires. They were known for their simplicity of life, scrupulous cleanliness, and industry. They were strict Sabbath keepers, refused to take oaths, and refused sacrificial rites. 5. Herodians - were not a religious group, but a political party composed of followers of the Herodian dynasty and the Sadducees. (Zealots were the religious fanatics.) C.0 How did that affect Jesus life and ministry? 1. Jesus rebuked religious leaders when they confronted Him. MAT 15:1 Then some Pharisees and scribes *came to Jesus from Jerusalem, 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 And He answered and said to them, "And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? MAT 15:4 "For God said, '\Honor your father and MAT 16:1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Him asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. MAT 22:29 But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God. JOH 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things? 2. He contrasted religious views of the day MAT 5:21 "You have heard that the ancients were told, '\You shall not commit murder\' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' MAT 5:22 "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be guilty {enough to go} into the fiery hell. a. MAT 5:27 MAT 5:28 MAT 5:31 MAT 5:32 3.0 Jesus confronted them on what they should have done MAT 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without

neglecting the others. LUK 10:28 And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; \do this, and you will live.\" (lawyer) III.00 Cultural Setting A. The Roman contribution - came primarily through universal peace, a sense of justice, good roads for the roman army, and a common currency. B. The Greek contribution existed in Greek philosophy, poets, universities, the Greek language as a common means of communication in politics, business, religion, and the home. The Greeks were the school teachers of the world, while the Romans were the military masters. C. It affected the people in many ways, but Jesus fit into the culture and used it for His advantage. 1. Jn. 13 the lowest slave was supposed to wash the feet 2. Matt. 8 the centurion came to Jesus and Jesus taught on humility and demonstrated the power of His word from a distance 3. Jn. 4 He spoke to the woman at the well, tho' most men wouldn't have. IV.00 What does that all mean to us? 000000001. Jesus ministry was not affected by politics. a. If God calls you to serve and be actively involved, then serve as unto Him. Every Christian should vote and voice their conviction to their representative. b. No Christian should be distracted from the real issues in life of evangelism and edification. Use your involvement for changing lives. c. Christians distracted by politics, whereby politics become their agenda rather than witnessing for Christ, are putting the cart before the horse. 2.0 Jesus operated around religion, except when confronted a. When they confronted Him, He was straight. 3.0 Jesus used the culture to teach. a. He did not seek change the culture, or the people 4.0 Believe on Jesus Christ. 5.** When intimate with the Lord, your environment doesn't matter. a. political, religious, cultural i. The Bible doesn't promote a certain party. It does promote a system of thought. Don't be distracted. b.0 We make a difference by making an issue of Jesus Christ. i. IF you make an issue of a person's religion, it's probably a false issue. The issue is Jesus Christ. c.0 Be cautious about making statements, which are not doctrinal i. Jesus did name call, but only to religious false teachers MAT 23:16 "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.' MAT 7:15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. MAT 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? MAT 12:34 "You brood of vipers,

how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. MAT 23:33 "You serpents, you brood of vipers, how shall you escape the sentence of hell? LUK 3:7 MAT 16:6 And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." MAT 16:11 "How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." MAT 16:12 Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. MAT 22:34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they gathered themselves together. MAT 16:1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Him asked Him to show them a sign from heaven.