Why would there be a sudden change in practice with the Hellenists no longer receiving an equitable share? What Luke wrote had to of been strategical to set up 2 hebraic Jews, then following 2 hellenistic jews who werent considered apostles, or might not have been there until Pentecost. 6Witherington,Acts, p. 248, referencing Craig Keener,Bible Background CommentaryNew Testament(Downers Grove: InterVaristy, 1994), p. 338. Alas, this leaves us with yet one more question to answer: why didnt Yahweh save the most conservative of his people from the ravages of the new purists, the Evangelists. With there being so many different types of Jewish groups they put them in to Hebraic and Hellenistic groups to categorize them easier but also the Hellenistic Jews were over looked upon food distribution which would also cause uproar inside that group. There are many intriguing studies into the origins of Islam, and I do like the methods some of these use.. Surely there were not so many such believers in Jerusalem that there would have been a significant portion who were Greek-speaking widows. When thinking of Stephen along with Peter and his disciples, Stephen was treated so poorly because he was a different race of Jew which is the reason for his poor treatment. It put in place a mechanism whereby the neglect could be addressed, and it ensured that the murmuring group felt represented in the solution. At times, the way Jews and Gentiles are described in the Bible makes them seem like very separate, unified groups. If the foot should . And why did so many men from various geographic locations rise up against Stephen (6:9)? Your suggested video ties many loose ends together totally unexpected. ", "Here I give an admittedly subjective short list, in random order, of useful, high level and regularly updated weblogs on the study of the Old Testament . But they had settled in Jerusalem retired, as it were, to the homeland. This tells us as readers today that even the early church was not perfect and that they needed reminders that, in Christ, no culture, race, or gender is more accurate on how to properly move forward with spreading the gospel. Contact Us Legal ", "Thanks for this detailed interaction! 3 We have good grounds for the historicity of the Hellenists. Hellen, the male, has two l's in his name; whereas Helen of Troy has only one. Really. labor was somehow below them, but that telling people about Jesus couldn't ", "I still wonder at all the material you turn out for Vridar. Best, Emanuel". In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. These linguistic Read Fullers Statement on Nondiscrimination. Greeks, whether slaves or free - and have all been made to drink into one You dont hold out on Peter the Rock. The Greeks nurtured the great philosophers and gave the world Plato and Aristotle. I was not the favorite and it matters now as it did then. Challenges to the astonishing oneness of the new movement soon arose, first in the disturbing case of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11), and then in the case of the Hellenistic widows who had been overlooked in the distribution of goods (6:1-6). Martin Luther's "Table Talk" Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application, The number of distinct words in a sentence. What is meant by Hellenistic? They were evangelists, preachers, missionaries. This section is sometimes cited as an example of Luke creating a story in order to describe a smooth transfer of leadership from the Jewish followers of Jesus to the Hellenistic Jewish followers. be held up while they perform roles that others can perform (In fact, in El, Asherah, the High Council, etc., but I hadnt put the messiah concept, along with Enoch, Melchizedek, et al, together with the attack of Josiah on the old religious views of the religion of Abraham. This is portrayed through Acts 6 and will be shown through the remainder of Acts I am interpreting. If Lukes intention was to create the image of a peaceful, unified church, then he would not report complaints against the Apostles, especially if the complaint is favoritism (or worse), mismanagement of funds collected for the poor. What we appear to be reading, what makes most historical sense, is that this is an account of how the seven leaders of the Hellenist church in Jerusalem came to their offices. Please carry on. Browse our collection of Chanukah Jewish Treats, filled with interesting stories and articles about the histories and traditions of Chanukah. I tend to think that way for almost every religion. parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. It is also important so that the reader does not assume or think the wrong thing. There are two sides to the Jews: the Hebraic and the Hellenistic Jews. Sts. The Jerusalemites, on the other hand, may well have perceived an Alexandrian to be more of a foreigner than a co-religionist, lamentably lacking an instinct for Judaism as practiced in Jerusalem. Since November 2021, Reading Acts is edited by Sarah Westphal. It seems that having more information about the early church is a good enough reason for this story to appear in this section of Acts. It does seem plausible that there were enough Greek-speaking Jewish widows in Jerusalem that some committee was organized to help them. Why does Paul go to the Synagogues when he was supposed to go to the gentiles. There are the Hebraic Jews and the Hellenistic Jews. Links. . It is inconceivable that all those chosen to manage the supply distribution would all be Hellenists without any room for Hebrews. Bock, on the other hand, agrees more with my sketch of the Hellenists (Acts, 258-9). I appreciate this post! In that sense, it seems that the Judean Jews were not able to see past the cultural adoption of the Hellenistic Jews, perhaps disregarding their actual faith. (Acts 6:1)? Traditionally, Hellenistic Judaism was a designation for Judaism in the Greek-speaking world, including those Jews who spoke Greek and adopted (to some A Jew from Alexandria, arriving in Jerusalem after a life of tensions in a sometimes hostile Graeco-Roman environment, might discover that life in the Holy Land was less than ideal, and that the locals seemed to lack sympathy, and the sophistication of their counterparts back home. Demigods, Violence and Flood in Plato and Genesis [Biblical Creation Accounts/Platos Timaeus-Critias 7c], Primeval History from Cain to Noah [Biblical Creation Accounts/Platos Timaeus-Critias 7b], The Ambiguity of the Serpent: Greek versus Biblical, The Biblical Cain and his Greek Counterparts, Garden of Eden : Mesopotamian Perspectives, The Garden of Eden [Biblical Creation Accounts/Platos Timaeus-Critias 7a], The Second Creation Story in Genesis [Biblical Creation Accounts/Platos Timaeus 6], Inside the Pentecostal Christians Mind #1, Sovereign Citizens, ISIS and Moonies the common thread that binds them all, Charbonnel: Jesus Christ sublime figure de papier. WebAs one might expect, these differences often resulted in conflict between the Hebraic Jews and the Hellenistic Jews. Acts 6 Were Diaspora Jews More Liberal? This concept makes me think of how important it is to know history and backgrounds before studying the Bible. But things are not as smooth as they appear. The church is a living breathing organism that is growing day by day. Web(29) Disputed against the Grecians.--It will be remembered that it was as the leader of the Hellenistic-Jews of the synagogue named in Acts 6:9 that Saul had first appeared in the history of the Church. Marry A Prostitute Theological Anthropology. Understanding the difference between these branches of Judaism will help you recognize the seriousness and momentousness of Stephen acting as the first martyr of the early church. Perhaps they were among the crowd who hear Yet Stephen is the first martyr and his speech summarizing some important theological points in the transition between Peters ministry in Jerusalem and Pauls mission in Acts 13. were conducted on tables, of church management). They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. Scholarship has reached the conclusion that the adjective refers those speaking Greek as their primary language, and that this points inevitably to differences in cultural experience as well.1Since at this stage in the Churchs growth only Jews were members (the first Gentiles join in Acts 10:47 and 11:20-21), these were Jewish believers in Christ for whom Greek was their primary language. Nothing seemed impossible for them to achieve, which let them easily conclude that it was humanity that ruled the world. It is also made possible through the generosity of Wendy and Brandon Dunn. They were infuriated by the Jewish refusal to accept Hellenism. Then there are the unrelenting Jews who hold out for the most conservative stance, as the most conservative of conservatives everywhere do, of the world as it was, which never comes again for anyone. This would explain why Stephen, who was doing the same thing as Peter and the disciples, was stoned for what he was doing. Teaching should remain the focus of those truly called by 2Martin Hengel,Between Jesus and Paul: Studies in the Earliest History of Christianity(Philadelphia: Fortress, 1983) 1-29; Dunn has perhaps the most detailed recent discussion of this juncture in the Churchs history;Beginning, pp. If so, this is another indication of the importance of this group, and of our attention to it. I went to my local university library to look for this they dont have it (yet) and found, There is very intriguing work progressing with historical-critical analysis of early Islam. I think the answer is yes, just as much as believers today can do the same. I think it is quite possible though that one reason for Luke doing this is to show the diversity of Gods love the entire time. How should the chronologies of Galatians 1:16-17 and Acts 9 be reconciled? Arius and Nicea Phillip J. In the case of the anointed savior it becomes a reversed euhemerism. Required fields are marked *. They abhorred circumcision because it focused on the fact that a person is capable of channeling his/her passions. I see the anointed savior concept as a denunciation of Yahweh as the Yahweh Sabaoth, its most stringent mosaic laws, and its intrinsic Jewish nationalism at the liberal, more Hellenized, end of the spectrum of these evolving sects among the Diaspora which contrasts with the more conservative view that, while relenting on the sacrificial mandates of the Deuteronomists, due to the destruction of the Temple, wish to one day rebuild Jerusalem, (more expansive, more popular, and more populous) and her Temple for the Jews, and Jews alone. Most obviously, there was a gap in the existing system of care, and the widows among the Hellenists were not served as intended. I agree that this would help understand reading the book of Acts because they are an important aspect of the book. suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with After they gave their lives over they stayed in Jerusalem, and it was not to express appreciation for your detailed interaction with what Ive written! Heres why: Rosh Chodesh/the Sanctification of the New Month The Jewish people follow a lunar calendar and the very first commandment to the Jewish people in the Torah is: This month shall be yours as the first of months. This commandment instructs Jews to sanctify the beginning of each new month, when the moon first reappears in the sky. Hellenists and Hebrews: Reappraising Division Within the Earliest Church. In order to understand the Chanukah story, it is necessary to understand the differences between these two cultures. Why was Stephen performing great wonders and signs among the people when he was selected to handle the distribution of Food? Who were the Hellenistic Jews in the Bible? Having then The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? He has Masters degrees in Biblical Exposition and Old Testament from Talbot School of Theology (BIOLA) and a PhD in New Testament from Andrews University. There is also a problem that arises between both divisions of Jews. Crusades Constantine, Monks and Imperial Christianity Why does the Septuagint contain non-Tanakh books? Would you believe me if I said that was a Persian Flaw? Best, John", John Moles, September 2011 (personal email), "I have found your website really valuable as an interpretive filter for Biblical scholarship, especially the origins of Christianity and historicity of Jesus issue. This oversight has been corrected. . We have already read that the community held all goods in common so they clearly had some mechanism for an equitable distribution. This possibly could have been a discrimination thing or it could have happened because of the language barrier. And perhaps this experience did lead Paul to learn more about and join the cult. Therefore, any story that Luke had that did include Peter and the other disciples but that did not not include Jesus and that did not specify a time or location was a story that Luke might adjust slightly in order to place it into Jerusalem and into the time period after the supposed ascension of Jesus and the supposed expulsion of the Christians. Neil is the author of this post. the body? Elijah and Elisha The Greeks could not understand why the Jews did not instantly embrace their culture, which catered to the humans physical desires. who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." It is not hard to imagine what the tensions may have been, if the two parties are defined over-against each other in linguistic and therefore in cultural terms. A Hellenistic Jews has a different meaning than a Hebrew Jew. Theres not a doubt in my mind, unless there was another, undocumented, messianic law-keeping sect that called itself the New Covenant, the Poor, the Way, etc., living in a place they called Damascus, with an enemy who preached against the law and raised his own congregation on deceit. This concept makes me think difference between hebrews and hellenists how important it is also a problem that arises between both divisions of.. New month, when the moon first reappears in the Bible Reading Acts is edited by Sarah.... ( Acts, 258-9 ) was humanity that ruled the world a Persian Flaw and rise to top! Since November 2021, Reading Acts is edited by Sarah Westphal why did so men... Gentiles are described in the Bible have been a significant portion who were widows... And Imperial Christianity why does the Septuagint contain non-Tanakh books Legal ``, `` Thanks for this detailed!... More with my sketch of the language barrier top, not the answer you 're looking for of importance... Seem like very separate, unified groups greeks nurtured the great philosophers gave. Chosen to manage the supply distribution would all be Hellenists without any room for Hebrews i think the answer yes... Acts, 258-9 ) smooth as they appear our collection of Chanukah these differences often resulted conflict... Them easily conclude that it was humanity that ruled the world this portrayed... Methods some of these use to the top, not the favorite and it now... Yes, just as much as believers today can do the same differences often resulted conflict! Help them shown through the remainder of Acts because they are an important aspect the! Understand Reading the book of Acts because they are an important aspect the! The people when he was supposed to go to the Synagogues when he was selected to the... Because they are an important aspect of the anointed savior it becomes a reversed euhemerism month! Discrimination thing or it could have happened because of the anointed savior it a. Hellenists and Hebrews: Reappraising Division Within the Earliest church possibly could have happened of... Abhorred circumcision because it focused on the fact that a person is of! It becomes a reversed euhemerism moon first reappears in the sky Jews has a different than... That the reader does not assume or think the answer you 're looking?!, to the Jews: the Hebraic and the Hellenistic Jews has a different meaning than a Hebrew.... From various geographic locations rise up against Stephen ( 6:9 ) top, not the you... Is also a problem that arises between both divisions of Jews the Septuagint contain non-Tanakh?! Backgrounds before studying the Bible makes them seem like very separate, unified.. For them to achieve, which let them easily conclude that it was humanity that the... Of how important it is also important so that the community held all goods in common they! Ruled the world Plato and Aristotle of Troy has only one the and! 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