MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
For a few weeks, we've been looking at the Messiah, and the role Judaism played in preparation for His coming. Jews made contact with Babylonians and others over centuries, as multitudes of people from Israel were taken captive and dispersed from their homeland. Later, Jews were exposed to Hellenistic [meaning the language and manner of the Greeks] tendencies. Despite the strength of Jewish religious and social background, it was impossible to escape the impact of Greek culture and thought. People across the known world, especially the more educated, spoke Greek, and even Romans who were in control were taken with Greek style.
Israel had preserved for the world the concept of one God, and of a promised Messiah to deliver His people. Through invasions, defeats and captivity, the Jews and their beliefs were spread throughout the known world and had a significant presence and influence. This scattering may have caused Jewish thinkers to consider the applications of the law, and deeper social and philosophical implications of their beliefs and practices. But it also strengthened their pride in the privileges of their own people. We'll take a look at how the early Christian church dealt with new cultures, and how events that appeared tragic allowed the message of Jesus the Christ to spread well beyond the region of Judea.
The Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, were translated into Greek for the library of the Ptolemaic ruler in Egypt. The apostle Paul indicated in Romans 3:1-2 that Jews had received great privileges, the greatest of which was being entrusted with the "oracles of God". As we read our Bibles in English, it's important to note they were originally translated out of Greek. The phrase "oracles of God" comes from two Greek words, the logos [word] of theos [God]. Greek connotations come through, especially in John chapter 1 where Jesus is the Word, and he is also Theos. So we see both Paul and John reflecting the influence of Greek language in their thought and writings.
We've already noted that God planned the timing of the Messiah's coming for a broader transmission of His blessing. Yet, in the letter to the Romans, Paul also points out the limitations of Greek and Hebrew understanding and practices. In fact, he wrote that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). With the coming of Jesus, God's deliverance is made available to all, and Christian evangelists are commissioned to herald the news to the world, not just to Jews.
Most of the New Testament, then, deals with closing the gap between Judaism and a new inclusive faith. Part of the problem was that Jews had been exposed to disturbing Greek and Roman behaviors. They were well aware that the cultures they were immersed in fell short of God's expectation, "'You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy'" (Leviticus 19:2). Peter admonished in 1 Peter 1:16, and Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:7, with precautions against adopting pagan practices - obviously our challenge still today.
If the message of Jesus as Messiah was going to 1) deliver Jews from their ineffective practices and 2) open the door to Gentiles, it was essential that both groups be delivered from immoral and unethical practices. Much of the New Testament includes teachings relevant for any era.
Jesus' message, such as in Matthew 25:36-40, was espoused by early evangelists. It focuses on loving God and our neighbors, just as in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. Jesus and early prophets taught that people of faith have a special responsibility to help the hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, sick and imprisoned.
The Book of Acts reveals an ethnically diverse Christian congregation in Jerusalem. Many Jews came from other places and exhibited Hellenistic thinking and practice. The large social need among the Hellenistic Jews caused the apostles to appoint deacons, including Stephen, which enabled their ministry of teaching and prayer.
Jews in early times operated as strangers in their new lands, forming tight communities and isolating as much as possible. Today many feel we don't fit in with overindulgence, extravagance, and trivial or pointless activities; but we cannot isolate in our churches and still influence the culture in which we live.
After Stephen was stoned to death and Saul was converted, many of Paul's writings addressed combined assemblies of Hellenistic Jews, Babylonian Jews, and people of other ethnicities. Most contained calls to purity - to be like Christ, to step forward and take the blessing to the world (see Philippians 2:5-8).
At the Council of Jerusalem, referenced in the fascinating chapter 15 of Acts, the issue of Jewish legalism was addressed head-on. Most troubling to many Gentiles was circumcision, which they thought of as a mutilation. Paul, Barnabas and Peter spoke to the council, and in conclusion James the brother of Jesus issued a statement saying, "...the words of the prophets agree" (Acts 15:15). He ruled that Gentile Christians would not be required to keep Jewish rituals; rather, they should maintain purity, which comes not with rituals but by cleansing through the Spirit of God.
Most of us are Gentiles, brought into the family of God by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, His Son. We're adopted through the same faith as Abram. In the fulness of time, God prepared both Jew and Gentile for Jesus' coming. He spoke to and through the Hellenists, and the Church maintains an open door.
I Thank Yahweh for bring me to read your awsome points.IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM, and HE is looking for OBEDIANCE IN HIS CHILDREN...(BE YE HOLY AS I AM HOLY)