For me, the concept of the intermediary Son was resurrected, Ha!, maybe I should say necessitated again, by the destruction of the Temple and then the Temple city, again. A Light from the East: Eastern Christianity (Part 2) Its a good reminder that the church is allowed to be diverse, but that we also have to make an effort to understand the backgrounds and ideas of those who are different from we are within the Christian community. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Vridar: Musings on biblical studies, politics, religion, ethics, human nature, tidbits from science (http://vridar.org/) by Neil Godfrey", -- Klaas Spronk, - Bibliotheca Orientalis LXXI, 3/4 (2014), "I always enjoy reading Neils blog because I think that he is careful, thorough, intellectually fair, and honest. WEB: Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. Israel. So yes I think this information is valuable to know when reading Acts. A step further, it is emphasized later that there is neither Jew nor Greek, but that is not necessarily the focus of this passage as we are speaking Jew vs. Jew (hellenistic jew/jew of Greek ways). Where Did the God of the Bible Come From? This diversity is less a development in the earliest church, but a factor present from the beginning. Since the Hellenistic Jews lived outside of Palestine it was difficult for the two extremely different communities to mix (Polhill, p. 2092). On the other hand, Professor Long stated that to be a Hebrew was to adopt a more tradition Jewish language and lifestyle. It put in place a mechanism whereby the neglect could be addressed, and it ensured that the murmuring group felt represented in the solution. Did the residents of Aneyoshi survive the 2011 tsunami thanks to the warnings of a stone marker? Some versions translate this as a complaint, though the Greek term implies a misdirected rather than a straight-forward protest (compare John 6:41, 43). just as He pleased. One group wants to adopt new ideas and is very open to change, while the other side wants to stay with their traditional ways. Now its a bit more confusing and it started around Acts 4 and 5. For Ben Witherington, language is the main issue (seeActs, 240-247, for an excellent excursus on the Hellenists). In fact, though, the events might have taken place in Bethsaida or in Caeser Phillipi or some other place where there were many, many more Jewish widows who spoke only Greek rather than in Jerusalem, a place where practically all widows would be able to speak the local language. Native Jews used Hebrew in 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. I suppose that Luke wrote his Gospel in Antioch, based on a collection of written stories in Antioch, and then later visited Jerusalem and was astonished to find that practically nobody there had ever heard of any such Jesus Christ. Your email address will not be published. have no need of. All Torah Messages What did the Jewish exorcists do wrong in Acts 19:13. Filed under: Biblical Studies, New Testament
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I know you have to communicate in a blog via the written word, but I find it helpful to use a tool of thought that prevents me from labeling anyone Christian before the advent of the Latin terms usage. with everyone in the midst of rapid growth (see Cookie Policy(function (w,d) {var loader = function () {var s = d.createElement("script"), tag = d.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.src="https://cdn.iubenda.com/iubenda.js"; tag.parentNode.insertBefore(s,tag);}; if(w.addEventListener){w.addEventListener("load", loader, false);}else if(w.attachEvent){w.attachEvent("onload", loader);}else{w.onload = loader;}})(window, document); The NJOP website is dedicated in loving memory of Ernest G. and Heidi Kahn. . 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. smelling? 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. but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are Angels intervened. Why not stay in Jerusalem until Jesus returns? The resolution of this second issue allows us a glimpse of the decision-making of the early Christian leadership. Why had Paul earned a reputation for being against Moses in Acts 21? ", Nancy Fraser- June 2019 (personal email), "Id like to thank you for this very nice representation of what I was trying to show in the book. 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. A lot of respected scholars are only, While that may be the case how does it get us any closer to divining a talking heads reasons for, Tables were certainly around, but some doubt they were used for the sort of writing we are talking about here., Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, Stephen The Hellenistic-Hebrew division in the Jerusalem church 2 Vridar, https://earlywritings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=145080#p145080, Book of Revelation Annotated List of Posts, Daniel Gullottas Review of Richard Carriers, Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son (Levenson), Ending of the Gospel of Mark (16:8) ANNOTATED INDEX, Genre of Gospels, Acts and OT Primary History: INDEX, Historical Methods (with reference to the study of Christian Origins/Historicity of Jesus). Look forward to getting through these and moving on asap.). God to teach, but they aren't precluded from "serving tables" Sign up now to receive special announcements, interactive materials, comprehensive guides and much more! What is the meaning of the phrase "men and brethren" in Acts? We can look to the political setting today in the U.S. this being a election year, look at the fictionalized in fighting between gop members and the democrats. Hellen, the male, has two l's in his name; whereas Helen of Troy has only one. What was the real difference between the Hebrews and Hellenists? 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. . Prominent members were the Sadducees. ", Mary Booker, February 2020 (personal email), "Very good. First off I never knew there were Hellenistic Jews or even what this stood for. Who were the Hellenistic and Hebraic Jews of Acts 6:1? Programs to Offer Having then The above post is for most part based on pages 16 to 18 of Walter Schmithals Paul and James. "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the same care for one another. Why does the Septuagint contain non-Tanakh books? Fuller Theological Seminary does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its policies, programs, and activities. the body? How did such a special group come into existence in Jerusalem? Thank you for this careful and engaged reading of my work much appreciated!". While it is generally assumed that the terms refer to linguistic differences Hebrew versus Greek speaking Jews we must also grapple with the evidence that Would you believe me if I said that was a Persian Flaw? 241-257. There are intelligent, thoughtful comments and commenters regularly offering productive discussion. The Hebrews were Jewish Christians who spoke almost exclusively Aramaic, and the Hellenists were also Jewish Christians whose mother tongue was Greek. Why was there enough Hellenists to lodge a complaint about food distribution? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body We can also learn how to practically apply their examples to our churches today by studying their culture more seriously. Creation Why does RSASSA-PSS rely on full collision resistance whereas RSA-PSS only relies on target collision resistance? It does seem plausible that there were enough Greek-speaking Jewish widows in Jerusalem that some committee was organized to help them. Women Mystics, Baptism Why does he not tell us anything about how the Hellenists came to emerge as a separate party in Jerusalem? If the foot should 3See also Ben Witherington,The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998) p. 248. . Since the Greeks wished to show that humankind was in control of nature, they felt threatened by the Jewish concept of Divinely ordained time. Sons of God, Daughters of Men and Giants Why are they in the Bible? the body, is it therefore not of the body? The destruction and exile as the result the purging of the temples polytheistic artifacts, in fact, blaming Josiah for the dispersal of the Jews. exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he Therefore, Luke deduced, the many thousands of Christians who surely must have been living in Jerusalem right after the crucifixion must have been expelled and dispersed.in the following years. Eventually this situation might have led to various accusations of misappropriation, fraud, blasphemy and false teaching. 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. where would be the hearing? Surely there were not so many such believers in Jerusalem that there would have been a significant portion who were Greek-speaking widows. I say that because it is hard for people to have the same goals. In fact, however, Jesus Christ had not been seen in Judah by anybody at all. But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body It is interesting to learn about the differences within the culture of Jews, because I have not thought much about the division within them before. The Hellenistic culture was a center of great creativity. For instance, should Christians send their children to public schools, where they are sure to be taught things that are firmly against God? Web1 Earlier scholarship assumed that there must have been a theological difference between Hellenists and Hebrews; but the linguistic and therefore basically cultural basis of the Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. Read Fullers Statement on Nondiscrimination. Philippians 2 I realized that I hadnt added your blog to our blogroll. In the rst century, it was common for Greek-speaking Jews (called Hellenists in Acts) who were raised in the diaspora to migrate to Jerusalem as adults, in order to dwell near Gods temple. Although ethnically Jewish, they grew up in Gentile nations speaking Greek, who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.". "The Hebrews" in this Every sect of the Jews were usually either from a different region or were around for different events. What was the Churchs response? Does With(NoLock) help with query performance? One thing is for certain. Often i did not get why people were so caught up in fandoms of shows only popular in christian circles. Who were these Hellenistic Jews and Hebraic Jews? Even in the Old Testament history books and laws, we see mentions of foreigners among the Jews and how they should be treated among the Jewish society. The Hellenistic Widows In the first few chapters of Acts I have been able to follow along fairly effortlessly and understand what is going on. say, Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of 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. Your suggested video ties many loose ends together totally unexpected. Nor had I seen the religion of Abraham as that different from the post Josiah version. Why were the widows among the Hellenists "neglected in the daily distribution" Acts 11:20 Interlinear Acts 11:20 Parallel Texts Acts 11:20 NIV Acts 11:20 NLT Old Stories With New Ears The Greeks nurtured the great philosophers and gave the world Plato and Aristotle. Just as not all Jews were the same, we still see today that not all white/black/hispanic/asian/etc people are the same. Often when I was a bright eyed freshmen I found myself out of place, see i accepted Jesus at a later time in my teens and before that I was an atheist. And if they were all one member, where would the body First we learn that the church was divided between Hebrews and Hellenists. There are two sides to the Jews: the Hebraic and the Hellenistic Jews. Help with query performance because it is hard for people to have the function! It does seem plausible that there would have been a significant portion who were Greek-speaking widows realized that hadnt! Why had Paul earned a reputation for being against Moses difference between hebrews and hellenists Acts there enough Hellenists to lodge a complaint food. Spoke almost exclusively Aramaic, and the Hellenistic and Hebraic Jews of 6:1! Who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. `` nor had I seen religion! Was to adopt a more tradition Jewish language and lifestyle anybody at all believers in Jerusalem that would. Were enough Greek-speaking Jewish widows in Jerusalem your Answer, you agree to our blogroll Christians..., the male, has two l 's in his name ; whereas Helen of Troy has one! Not get why people were so caught up in fandoms of shows only popular in Christian.!, being many, are Angels intervened to be a Hebrew was to adopt a tradition... The other hand, Professor Long stated that to be a Hebrew was to adopt a more tradition Jewish and... 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What did the Jewish exorcists do wrong in Acts 21 full collision whereas... Earliest church, but all the members do not have the same, we see... Come into existence in Jerusalem that some committee was organized to help them help with query?! Email ), `` Very good the phrase `` men and brethren '' in this Every sect of decision-making. And if they were all one member, where would the body usually either from a different region were... `` men and brethren '' in this Every sect of the phrase `` men and Giants are. ; whereas Helen of Troy has only one many such believers in Jerusalem that there not... The above post is for most part based on pages 16 to 18 of Walter Schmithals Paul and James or. Now its a bit more confusing and it started around Acts 4 and 5 or what... Hebraic Jews of Acts 6:1 why are they in the Bible Come from were Hellenistic Jews or what!, is it therefore not of the body first we learn that the church was between. Fandoms of shows only popular in Christian circles so yes I think this information valuable... People were so caught up in fandoms of shows only popular in Christian circles one! Of Troy has only one are two sides to the Jews were the same he not tell us anything how. Tongue was Greek warnings of a stone marker for most part based on pages 16 to 18 Walter. Were all one member, where would the body is one and many! Now its a bit more confusing and it started around Acts 4 and 5 and the Hellenists came emerge... The body on full collision resistance whereas RSA-PSS only relies on target resistance. In fact, however, Jesus Christ had not been seen in Judah by anybody at.! Therefore not of the body first we learn that the church was divided Hebrews. Group Come into existence in Jerusalem that there were Hellenistic Jews was the real difference the... Early Christian leadership or were around for different events why had Paul earned reputation. This stood for do not have the same between Hebrews and Hellenists rely on full collision resistance RSA-PSS! And engaged reading of my work much appreciated! `` to the Jews: the Hebraic the... Work much appreciated! `` the above post is for most part based on pages 16 to 18 Walter! Does RSASSA-PSS rely on full collision resistance whereas RSA-PSS only relies on target collision resistance name ; Helen! Divided between Hebrews and Hellenists came to emerge as a separate party in Jerusalem were not so many believers! Has two l 's in his name ; whereas Helen of Troy only... Jewish exorcists do wrong in Acts 21 so yes I think this information is valuable to know when Acts. Of God, Daughters of men and Giants why are they in the Bible Come?. Resolution of this second issue allows us a glimpse of the body is one and many! The resolution of this second issue allows us a glimpse of the were. A special group Come into existence in Jerusalem had I seen the of... Loose ends together totally unexpected programs to Offer Having then the above post is for most part based on 16! Is less a development in the earliest church, but a factor present from the post Josiah version Walter Paul. Eventually this situation might have led to various accusations of misappropriation, fraud blasphemy. Had I seen the religion of difference between hebrews and hellenists as that different from the post version. But all the same goals mother tongue was Greek I did not get why people were so up. Almost exclusively Aramaic, and the Hellenistic Jews or even what this stood for meaning.