A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

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A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I I : Mas ter i ng the New Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

c. Accepted the writings of the OT; believed in the resurrection, angels, and the reality of spirits, Acts 23.8 – For the Sadducees say that there is no resur rection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

2. A sect of the Jews who were expert in the knowledge of and strict observance of the Mosaic law

a. Acts 15.5 – But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

b. Phil. 3.5 – “. . . circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee.”

3. They possessed a great zeal for the tradition of the elders, Mark 7.3; 7.5-8; Gal. 1.14

4. Were outwardly pious and moral in their observance of their own traditions, often times in a self-righteous and greedy manner

a. Luke 18.11-12 – The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” b. Phil. 3.5-6 – “. . . circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; [6] as to zeal, a persecutor of the Church; as to righteousness, under the law blameless.”