Chapter 9 –

Events, issues, and towns in the New Testament

 

 

 

 

THE PHARISEES AND THE SADDUCEES

 

- (Matt 22:15) Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

 

- (Matt 22:23) The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

 

- (Acts 23:6-10) But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

7  And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

8  For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

9  And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

10  And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

 

The Pharisees and the Sadducees were people who often tried to trap Jesus by his own words. They tried to find some "flaw" in what He said or did. The great Apostle Paul belonged to one of these groups: he was a Pharisee before he turned to God.

   These two groups have been mentioned also in other sources. The Jewish historian Josephus has mentioned them when discussing resurrection and eternal life: "The Sadducees taught that the soul dies with the body." (Antiq.XVll, 1:4) – as seen in the Bible verses above. Josephus also compared the differences between these two groups and their attitude towards the law:

 

The Pharisees passed many commands which they had inherited from their fathers, but which were not written in the law of Moses; and for that reason, the Sadducees refused to obey them, saying that they were only obligated to obey the written Torah (…) and for that reason there were many debates and disagreements between them.

 

The Talmud also describes how these two groups had different attitudes towards eternal life:

 

The Sadducees use gold and silver plates and say; “the Pharisees refuse this life (enjoyment), even though they won't get anything in the coming life (compensation)”.

 

ON THE MOUNTAIN

 

When Jesus was on Earth, he was transfigured on a mountain where Peter, James, and John were with Him. This made such a great impression on Peter that he later mentioned it in his letter:

 

- (Matt 17:1,2,5) And after six days Jesus takes Peter, James, and John his brother, and brings them up into an high mountain apart,

2  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

5  While he yet spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear you him.

 

- (2 Peter 1:17,18) For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

 

THE TEMPLE

 

A good example of how the disciples did not always understand the teachings of Jesus until after his resurrection is the incident when Jesus spoke about the raising of the temple in three days – referring to his own resurrection. Other people have also misunderstood this. This issue has been described in the following verses:

 

- (John 2:18-22) Then answered the Jews and said to him, What sign show you to us, seeing that you do these things?

19  Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

20  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and will you raise it up in three days?

21  But he spoke of the temple of his body.

22  When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this to them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

 

- (Matt 26:59-61) Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

60  But found none: yes, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

61  And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

 

- (Matt 27:40) And saying, You that destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself. If you be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

 

TAXING

 

According to Luke, there were several censuses during the Roman occupation. The first took place during the reign of Caesar Augustus. We can also find a reference in the Acts to one census and Judas the Galilean, who was some kind of a rebel. The historian Josephus refers to him (Antiq. XVll, 1.). He mentions in his writings the disturbance and rebellion caused by this person.

 

- (Luke 2:1-3) And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 

- (Acts 5:37) After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

 

THE BANISHMENT FROM ROME

 

- (Acts 18:2) And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came to them.

 

In addition to the Acts, a Roman called Suetonius has referred to the banishment of the Jews from Rome. He also spoke about Jesus:

 

Claudius banished the Jews from Rome because they had become a permanent source of confusion because of Christ.

 

ROME

 

Rome was the capital of the kingdom of Rome, and it is mentioned in the New Testament a couple of times. Paul being in Rome is described in Acts and one letter:

 

- (John 11:47, 48) Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles.

48  If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

 

- (Acts 23:11) And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as you have testified of me in Jerusalem, so must you bear witness also at Rome.

 

- (Acts 28:16, 30, 31) And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
30 And Paul dwelled two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in to him,

31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

 

- (2 Tim 1:16, 17) The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

17  But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

 

DAMASCUS

 

One of the places where Paul spent time after becoming a Christian was Damascus. The Acts and the letters of Paul mention it:

 

- (Acts 9:22-25) But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelled at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23  And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24  But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25  Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

 

- (2 Cor 11:32, 33)  In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

33  And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

 

- (Gal 1:17) Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

 

ANTIOCH, ICONIUM, AND LYCAONIA

 

Paul had all kinds of trials during his mission journeys, some of them in the towns of Antioch, Iconium and Lycaonia. These three towns are mentioned in Acts and the letter to Timothy. The following verses together with the Acts support each other and prove that Paul really experienced these events:

 

- (Acts 13:14, 49-52) But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
49  And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

50  But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

51  But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.

52  And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

 

- (Acts 14:1-6, 19-22) And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

2  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brothers.

3  Long time therefore stayed they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4  But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

5  And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them spitefully, and to stone them,

6  They were ware of it, and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the region that lies round about:

19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20  However,, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21  And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

 

- (2 Tim 3:10,11) But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience,

11  Persecutions, afflictions, which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

 

MACEDONIA

 

The province of Macedonia was one of the places where Paul worked during his apostleship. He often writes about this province in his letters. These following verses indicate how Paul really was in this area:

 

- (Acts 19:21) After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

 

- (Rom 15:26) For it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

 

- (1 Cor 16:5) Now I will come to you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

 

- (2 Cor 8:1) Moreover, brothers, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

 

- (Phil 4:15) Now you Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but you only.

 

- (1 Thess 1:7,8) So that you were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

8  For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

 

EPHESUS

 

Ephesus was another place where the Apostle Paul preached. A great door for effective work has opened to him there, even though he also had many opponents:

 

- (Acts 19:1) And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

 

- (1 Cor 16:8, 9) But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

9  For a great door and effectual is opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

 

 

 

 

REFERENCES:

 

1. Millar Burrows, What Mean These Stones? Bible Archaeology of Vos.

2. Same, p. 291-292

3. Keith N. Schoville, Biblical Archaeology in Focus (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1978, p. 156)

4. Dr. John Kitto in Encyclopedia of Biblical Literature, II, keyword "Sabbath", p. 655

5. E.V. Koskinen, Alusta loppuun, p. 12

6. RICHARDSON, DON, Iankaikkisuus heidän sydämissään (ETERNITY IN THEIR HEARTS), p. 52,53.

7. Same, p. 96.

8. Fr. Bettex, Raamatun ensimmäinen lehti, p. 5

9. Quote from Oliko vedenpaisumus ja Nooan arkki mahdollinen?, Toivo Seljavaara, p. 6,7.

10. FREE, JOSEPH, P., Archaeology and Bible History, 12. p. 1973 – Quote from Voiko Raamattuun luottaa, Uuras Saarnivaara, p. 187.

11. SALONEN, ARMAS, Sumeri ja sen henkinen perintö (Keuruu 1962), p. 138,139.

12. Quote from Voiko Raamattuun luottaa, Uuras Saarnivaara, p. 229.

13. Quote from  Miksi uskon? (THE ANSWER TO MOSCOW’S BIBLE), Richard Wurmbrand, p. 54.

14. Arkeologia ja Raamattu, p. 102, published by Kirjatoimi and Kirjeopisto Codex.

15. Raymond Philip Dougherty, Nabonidus and Belshazzar, 1929, p. 200.

16. Quote from Nasaretilaisen historia, edited by Risto Uro and Outi Lehtipuu.

 

SOURCES:

 

- Apostoliset Isät, (suomalainen teologinen kirjallisuusseura)

- Arkeologia ja Raamattu (published by Kirjatoimi and Kirjeopisto Codex.)

- ESKOLA TIMO and JUNKKAALA EERO, Tyhjän haudan arvoitus

- Elämä maan päällä - kehityksen vai luomisen tulos, Jeh. Witnesses. (LIFE – HOW DID IT GET HERE? BY EVOLUTION OR BY CREATION?)

- KELLER, WERNER, Raamattu on oikeassa (UND DIE BIBEL HAT DOCH RECHT)

- LITTLE, PAUL, Tiedä miksi uskot (KNOW WHY YOU BELIEVE)

- RICHARDSON, DON, Iankaikkisuus heidän sydämissään (ETERNITY IN THEIR HEARTS)

- SAARNIVAARA, UURAS, Voiko Raamattuun luottaa?

- SANTALA RISTO, Kenenkä te sanotte minun olevan?

- Same, Kristinuskon juuret ll

- Same, Paavali ihmisenä ja opettajana

- SELJAVAARA, TOIVO, Oliko vedenpaisumus ja Nooan arkki mahdollinen?

- STEWART, JOHN: Mikä on Raamattu?

- UNGER, MERRILL, F., Raamatun lukijan käsikirja (THE NEW UNGER’S BIBLE HANDBOOK)

- URO, RISTO and OUTI LEHTIPUU, Nasaretilaisen historia

- WURMBRAND, RICHARD, Miksi uskon? (THE ANSWER TO MOSCOW’S BIBLE)