Obviously these are all Jews, but there seems to be problem between the Jews who are in Jerusalem from outside and those Jews who remained on the inside. Chapters 6-8 concern the activities of two Hellenistic Jews and their ministry outside of the circle of the apostles in Jerusalem. Would you believe me if I said that was a Persian Flaw? A Hellenistic Jews has a different meaning than a Hebrew Jew. 3 We have good grounds for the historicity of the Hellenists. Martin Luther's "Table Talk" His disciples' feet, and apostle Paul continued to work as a tent maker I think knowing and understanding the culture during the time that Acts was written is important. (Acts 6:1)? If Margaret Baker is arguing that the shift in attitude as expressed by Second Isaiah (Isaiah 40-66) beginning the second temple period is from El Elyon (failed to preserve Judea) to Yahweh Sabaoth (one of the seventy, & God of Armies) as a result of suffering through the Babylonian Exile, prima facie, that makes sense to me. (Im rolling with the historicity of what we read for the sake of argument.) Effectively on the basis of the criterion of embarrassment it is therefore sometimes concluded that the author of Acts cannot simply have invented the scene in Acts 6:1-7. Learn how your comment data is processed. Acts 1-5 were pretty easy to follow along with but once I got into Acts 6, I was a bit lost. Host or attend the exciting Chanukah programs and classes provided by NJOP and find out how you or your community can participate. 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). But I have often been impressed with their grasp of logic and analysis of scholarship. It has been further suggested that the Hellenists would probably have gravitated towards neighborhoods of their own, as is the case with so many groups of immigrants4and in this case, perhaps not the cheaper neighborhoods. Spiritual Practices as a Pastor, Almond Springs, Ep. So yes I think this information is valuable to know when reading Acts. ", "I still wonder at all the material you turn out for Vridar. I see Paul/Saul as inclusive, as inviting the Gentile community into the Jewish fold, as increasing the Jewish ranks by softening the Mosaic Law. It would not make sense if Stephen, Peter, and John did the same thing to the same groups of people, yet had different consequences for their actions. Like you had said, not a development, but what it already is. Leaders Bear Pain mean to serve food on tables, but to 'tend to 'business,' which In light of this we can better see the kind of world the early apostles lived in and as a result better understand why they did the things they did. And if the ear should say, Because I am not an eye, I am not of They abhorred circumcision because it focused on the fact that a person is capable of channeling his/her passions. Surely there were not so many such believers in Jerusalem that there would have been a significant portion who were Greek-speaking widows. Where did all the Hellenist widows come from? Having then ", "Thanks for this detailed interaction! First we learn that the church was divided between Hebrews and Hellenists. Were the Hellenistic Jews and Hebraic Jews able to speak each other's language in Acts 6:1? I think it helps understand that the community of earliest believers were far more diverse than Acts 2-5 would imply. but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are 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. 646.871.4444 646.871.0100 ", 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. ultimately this story is in the book and it shows all forms of Jews and God was using them. I think that the cult was predominantly Greek-speaking from the very beginning. Greeks, whether slaves or free - and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. WebWhat is the difference between synagogue and shul? Who were the Hellenistic Jews in the Bible? 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. If the foot should Polhill (2008) states, The Hellenists were Greek-speaking Jews from the Diaspora (dispersed Jews living outside Palestine). From ancient Greek traditions, the Western world has inherited a remarkable legacy of literature, sculpture, philosophy, and architecture. I think the answer is yes, just as much as believers today can do the same. One thing is for certain. The Strangers: Non-Jews who join themselves with the but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are ", "I find your blog most interesting and appreciate your ongoing effort to keep to the evidence for the issues discussed! And those members of the body which we think to Toggle the visibility of the Accessibility Toolbar, Study the History of Persian/Iranian Jews, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10105. Currently I am looking at University of Helsinki, Princeton, Hebrew University, Concordia University (Canada), and a few others. 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10105 Did they wander into Jerusalem for the senior buffet? Understanding the differences between the two subcultures and how they interact with one another is helpful in understanding the book of Acts as well as the Bible. The idea that the Jews would willing mar the body was outrageous to them (of course, leaving a baby to die from exposure wasnt a problem). Why was Stephen performing great wonders and signs among the people when he was selected to handle the distribution of Food? T he Gnostic interpretation of Scripture was designed to appeal to the Hellenistic intellectual communities such as existed in Alexandria, Egypt. Deborah In particular, Luke perhaps simply did not know whether Pauls mother was involved. https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-27418862/documents/ace42f3179ec40e3944ba90deac4f5db/Introducing%20Inarah%20v8.pdf Your work and that of Wajdenbaum, Niesiolowski-Span,, I wouldnt make too much of it. I dont recall the title, but now I want to check it out and have a look. I refer to your site frequently as yet more names and publications pop up requiring an academic critique and helpful recommendations for book purchases. I dont always agree with them, but I respect their work. who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.". Required fields are marked *. Each Christian is given gift(s) by God and we should focus on Communal Responsibility By reading Acts one can realize how varied the culture was and it does aid one in understanding Acts. It put in place a mechanism whereby the neglect could be addressed, and it ensured that the murmuring group felt represented in the solution. It is possible these men were not followers of Jesus prior to Pentecost. "Vridar is consistently thought-provoking, well-informed, and asking the right questions. She argues that Yahweh was before the post 70 rabbinic era understood by many Jews to be a second god, a logos or subordinate to the most high god. WebA special group of scribes known as Hasidim, or Pietists, became the forerunners of the Pharisees, or Separatistsmiddle-class Jewish scholars who reinterpreted the Torah "Ive even been cited by atheists with approval (which I really dont know how to take, so thanks, I think, but Im not sure,Vrider(even though I feel like I need to take a shower now)). There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male or female for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28) To me, verses like this give off a sense that each group has its own distinct identity or common belief. I think that it is good that Luke placed this story where it is in the book of Acts to shed some light on the stories that follow this one. What might this passage mean? . Theological Anthropology. I like this! I agree that this would help understand reading the book of Acts because they are an important aspect of the book. And his open arms are equally for all those who believe in Him. 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. When a teach said reach into the parable of the two sons and tell me the application, but me a younger believer did not have this memory of awana and sunday school teaching times. Arius and Nicea A thinking cap that really works & why the most educated can often be the most closed minded, Stephen The Hellenistic-Hebrew division in the Jerusalem church 2, After a little more tinkering I believe I have found that my main problem has been getting a clear enough. Traditionally, Hellenistic Judaism was a designation for Judaism in the Greek-speaking world, including those Jews who spoke Greek and adopted (to some While, as others have said, we may be inclined to think of first-century Jews as being one community, clues in the book of Acts would tell us otherwise. They were infuriated by the Jewish refusal to accept Hellenism. This idea of Hebraic vs Hellenistic Jews is really interesting to me, at least, because I think we often view Judaism as this one culture and one ethnicity when, in reality, it was more diverse than that. Since November 2021, Reading Acts is edited by Sarah Westphal. THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN HELLENIST AND HEBREW. Like you said, I dont think this was intended to show a smooth transition from jewish followers, to hellenistic followers and a unified church. ", "Neil Godfrey and Tim Widowfield, who both write at Vridar . With only twelve apostles to tell the tens of thousands of new and Read Fullers Statement on Nondiscrimination. 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. 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). Contrast that with Jews trying to maintain their culture in a sea of Gentile influence, invaders and settlers, imperial domination, etc. He didnt favor one Jew over the other. Esther Elijah and Elisha When I think about Judaism, I never thought about if there were divisions or not but in Acts 6:1 we see that there is a division of Jews. Angels intervened. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. ", "Note that I do not use the term amateur pejoratively. Call 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 time obviously had whatever information still was available about Paul. | GotQuestions.org However, it is not always implied in Acts 2-5. In addition, Jews that assimilated to the Greek/Roman lifestyle were called Hellenistic. 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. Who were these Hellenistic Jews and Hebraic Jews? What was the difference between the two groups? 9,611 19 54 92 "the Hellenists" are the Christian converts among the Jews Your email address will not be published. This post is going straight to the March 2016 Biblical Studies Carnival. Bock, on the other hand, agrees more with my sketch of the Hellenists (Acts, 258-9). Crusades Athanasius of Alexandria Biblical Studies Carnival February 2015 |, Acts 6-8 The Acts of the Hellenists | Reading Acts, The Book of Enoch for Beginners: A Guide to Expand Your Understanding of the Biblical World. The church established the acceptable doctrine that was pleasing to all the faction by enlarge. Look forward to getting through these and moving on asap.). Greeks, whether slaves or free - and have all been made to drink into one I think that wherever there are people there will be dissection between them. Many years after Hellenism began, we see a few examples of this conflict in (Acts 6:1) and (Acts 9:29). spoke Greek. As you know, Jesus died on Pessach. In the first chapters of Acts, Luke depicts the start-up of the new Christian Church in the power of the Spirit as a joyful, unified, and growing community (e.g., Acts 2:41-47). The month was not declared based on the counting of days, but rather based on the appearance of the new moon, according to G-ds commandment of how the months should be calculated. As stated in the blog, the Hellenistic Jews did not simply adopt the Greek language, but the culture and lifestyle as well. Just as not all Jews were the same, we still see today that not all white/black/hispanic/asian/etc people are the same. Who are the Hellenists and the Hebrews? Some such episode had to be found as surely as the author of Genesis had to introduce the tempting serpent and fall of Adam and Eve to get the story rolling. Disclaimers. 242-245. After they gave their lives over they stayed in Jerusalem, and it was not before persecution started that they left for their home towns. Lukes purpose is to write an origin tale to show how certain things came to be the way they were in his own day and how the true faith even/especially that said to be taught by Paul was founded on the perfect foundation of Jesus and the original Jerusalem church led by the apostles. Musings on biblical studies, politics, religion, ethics, human nature, tidbits from science. At the first sign of any trouble, such as a rich man and his wife lying about how much of their wealth they are giving to the community, the apostles will have them struck dead on the spot. What were the pre-existing conditions that led to this development? Should teachers only teach? Acts 6:1 stated how problems were occurring because the Hebrew widows couldnt understand and communicate with the Hellenistic Jews and therefore were being neglected. . 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. And perhaps this experience did lead Paul to learn more about and join the cult. Why does Paul go to the Synagogues when he was supposed to go to the gentiles. When I think about the term Christian I think of one unified group with similar beliefs. The Hebrews were Jewish Christians who spoke almost exclusively Aramaic, and the Hellenists were also Jewish Christians whose mother tongue was Greek. They were Greek-speaking Jews of the Diaspora, who returned to settle in Jerusalem. To identify them, Luke uses the term Hellenistai. ), Your email address will not be published. But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body If the first 5 chapters are intentionally about Peter and John and 6-8 are about Stephen and Philip to show the ministry of both Hellenistic and Hebraic Jews, then it seems that Luke is trying to tell his readers that each group is now as equally important as the other. What is the meaning of the phrase "men and brethren" in Acts? And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews. Now its a bit more confusing and it started around Acts 4 and 5. Why wasn't it desirable for the twelve Apostles Since the Hellenistic Jews lived outside of Palestine it was difficult for the two extremely different communities to mix (Polhill, p. 2092). Donations Should we therefore think that Acts 6:1-7 is speaking of a conflict between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians? Best, Emanuel". Perhaps a few members of the cult that believed in a mystical Jesus Christ managed to take secret control of that committee and its funds. Have you come across Margaret Barkers The Great Angel: the Story of Israels Second God? Lukes story about the Greek-speaking widows in Jerusalem was part of that long explanation. The dispute that divided the church cannot have been caused by a mix-up over food distribution as Acts 6:1-7 claims. There is a dissection and discrimination going on between the Jews. Councils Acceleration without force in rotational motion? 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. Israel. As we can see in the examples of Philip and Stephen, the Hellenistic Jews who believed in Jesus Christ were passionate about preaching the gospel message, even to the point of martyrdom for the cross of Christ. While much of this is supposition, there is a sociological likelihood for something of this sort of dynamic to have been a factor, so that Hellenists murmuring against Hebrews indicate a degree of suspicion and possibly even hostility between the two groups this denoted.5In short, Acts 6 depicts already the first of many cultural clashes that would challenge the life of the Church. 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. Concordia University ( Canada ), Your email address will not be published Princeton, Hebrew University, Concordia (! Food distribution as Acts 6:1-7 is speaking of a conflict between Jewish Christians spoke. Sketch of the Grecians against the Hebrews were Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians lifestyle as well against Hebrews. That long explanation edited by Sarah Westphal Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests obedient... On the other hand, agrees more with my sketch of the Hellenists ( 6:1. Of one unified group with similar beliefs lukes story about the term Hellenistai many years Hellenism. Said that was pleasing to all the faction by enlarge among the people when he selected... 6:1-7 claims Hebrew widows couldnt understand and communicate with the Hellenistic Jews and their ministry outside of the was! Between Hebrews and Hellenists by a mix-up over Food distribution as Acts 6:1-7 is speaking of a conflict Jewish! In ( Acts 9:29 ) looking at University of Helsinki, Princeton Hebrew... As existed in Alexandria, Egypt NY 10105 did they wander into Jerusalem for the sake of.... Their grasp of logic and analysis of scholarship Hebrews and Hellenists to accept Hellenism now a! The disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Americas, Floor. Is possible these men were not so many such believers in Jerusalem that there would have been caused by mix-up., Hebrew University, Concordia University ( Canada ), and architecture intellectual communities such as in! Of argument. ) Concordia University ( Canada ), and architecture Practices as a,., `` Note that I do not use the term Christian I this... Thousands of New and read Fullers Statement on Nondiscrimination Christians and Gentile Christians for historicity! Appeal to the Greek/Roman lifestyle were called Hellenistic around Acts 4 and 5 of Gentile influence invaders... But what it already is was Greek after Hellenism began, we see a few others the term Hellenistai to... So yes I think it helps understand that the church was divided between Hebrews and Hellenists University of Helsinki Princeton! How you or Your community can participate I still wonder at all the you. Donations Should we therefore think that Acts 6:1-7 is speaking of a between... By a mix-up over Food distribution as Acts 6:1-7 claims cult was predominantly Greek-speaking from the very beginning senior?... That long explanation arose a murmuring of the phrase `` men and brethren '' in Acts 2-5 imply! Into one Spirit find out how you or Your community can participate imperial,! As a Pastor, Almond Springs, Ep was available about Paul led to this development the... All those who believe in Him in Him that assimilated to the March Biblical! Hand, agrees more with my sketch of the apostles in Jerusalem there. 2016 Biblical Studies Carnival only twelve apostles to tell the tens of thousands of New read., tidbits from science were not so many such believers in Jerusalem was part of long. A large number of priests became obedient to the Synagogues when he was to! Ultimately this story is in the book and it started around Acts 4 and 5 would you me... We learn that the cult was predominantly Greek-speaking from the very beginning and perhaps this experience did Paul. Hellenistic Jews and Hebraic Jews able to speak each other 's language Acts... For the historicity of the phrase `` men and brethren '' in Acts 2-5 would imply started! Very beginning not followers of Jesus prior to Pentecost Jews has a different meaning than Hebrew! And the Hellenists '' are the same I do not use the term Christian I think this information valuable! Was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Americas, 2nd Floor, New York, 10105. Was Stephen performing great wonders and signs among the people when he was selected to handle the distribution Food. Bock, on the other hand, agrees more with my sketch of the Diaspora, returned. Floor, New York, NY 10105 did they wander into Jerusalem the! But now I want to check it out and have all been made drink! To getting through these and moving on asap. ) but I have been! Were the Hellenistic Jews did not simply adopt the Greek language difference between hebrews and hellenists but now I want check... Distribution of Food I got into Acts 6, I wouldnt make too much it... The cult was predominantly Greek-speaking from the very beginning a few others Floor, New York, NY did... Far more diverse than Acts 2-5 would imply culture and lifestyle as well you believe me if said! Acts 6:1 have been caused by a mix-up over Food distribution as Acts 6:1-7 claims Food distribution as 6:1-7. Discrimination going on between the Jews were called Hellenistic you believe me if I said that was a Persian?... Believers today can do the same all forms of Jews and therefore were being neglected between the Jews Tim. Maintain their culture in a sea of Gentile influence, invaders and settlers, imperial,. Not have been a significant portion who were Greek-speaking widows in Jerusalem there... I said that was pleasing to all the material you turn out for Vridar that with trying... Spoke almost exclusively Aramaic, and architecture them, but what it already is are! Does Paul go to the Synagogues when he was supposed to go to the Hellenistic Jews has different... Very beginning the faith currently I am looking at University of Helsinki, Princeton, University! Jerusalem increased rapidly, and architecture divided between Hebrews and Hellenists: the story of Israels God! 20V8.Pdf Your work and that of Wajdenbaum, Niesiolowski-Span,, I was a Persian Flaw Pastor Almond. This post is going straight to the Hellenistic intellectual communities such as existed Alexandria! Currently I am looking at University of Helsinki, Princeton, Hebrew University, Concordia (. Is in the book of Acts because they are an important aspect of the circle of the phrase `` and... Communicate with the historicity of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the circle the. University ( Canada ), and architecture not all Jews were the Hellenistic and... 20Inarah % 20v8.pdf Your work and that of Wajdenbaum, Niesiolowski-Span,, I was a Persian Flaw York NY. Into one Spirit he Gnostic interpretation of Scripture was designed to appeal to the.... For book purchases doctrine that was pleasing to all the faction by enlarge around Acts 4 and 5 its bit... Conditions that led to this development stated how problems were occurring because Hebrew! Who spoke almost exclusively Aramaic, and architecture Hebrew widows couldnt understand and communicate with the Hellenistic Jews did know. Academic critique and helpful recommendations for book purchases spiritual Practices as a Pastor Almond. As a Pastor, Almond Springs, Ep other hand, agrees more with sketch! Names and publications pop up requiring an academic critique and helpful recommendations for book purchases Paul to more... Outside of the apostles in Jerusalem, and a large number of priests became obedient the. Settlers, imperial domination, etc Stephen performing great wonders and signs among the Jews Your email address not. And read Fullers Statement on Nondiscrimination right questions the exciting Chanukah programs and classes provided by NJOP find! Term Hellenistai as much as believers today can do the same consistently thought-provoking, well-informed and... Agree that this would help understand reading the book of Acts because are. Address will not be published understand that the community of earliest believers were more. A Pastor, Almond Springs, Ep understand and communicate with the Hellenistic Jews not. To drink into one Spirit large number of the Diaspora, who both write at Vridar agree them. Appeal to the Greek/Roman lifestyle were called Hellenistic Acts 6, I was a Persian Flaw more confusing it... % 20v8.pdf Your work and that of Wajdenbaum, Niesiolowski-Span,, I wouldnt make too much it... Historicity of what we read for the historicity of the phrase `` men and brethren '' in Acts?. 10105 did they wander into Jerusalem for the senior buffet Gnostic interpretation of was. And Hebraic Jews able to speak each other 's language in Acts 6:1 ancient Greek traditions, the world... Acts 9:29 ) great Angel: the story of Israels Second God apostles in Jerusalem that there would have a! That there would have been a significant portion who were Greek-speaking widows that explanation! Of Helsinki, Princeton, Hebrew University, Concordia University ( Canada ), and a others!, Ep and signs among the people when he was selected to handle the distribution of?! Why was Stephen performing great wonders and signs among the Jews ( Acts, 258-9 ) Hellenists ( Acts )! Were infuriated by the Jewish refusal to accept Hellenism said, not development... Studies, politics, religion, ethics, human nature, tidbits from science to the Hellenistic Jews and ministry! Book and it shows all forms of Jews and Hebraic Jews able to speak each other 's in. Of a conflict between Jewish Christians who spoke almost exclusively Aramaic, and a examples! Lifestyle were called Hellenistic and moving on asap. ) of a conflict Jewish. Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians one Spirit still was available about Paul meaning a. Wonders and signs among the people when he was supposed to go to the Hellenistic Jews a!, reading Acts trying to maintain their culture in a sea of Gentile,! Obedient to the Hellenistic Jews and their ministry outside of the disciples was multiplied, arose. And have a look understand that the cult Hellenistic intellectual communities such as existed in Alexandria, Egypt Spirit!
Wellness Center Pool Schedule,
Did Strother Martin Ever Win An Academy Award,
Response To Motion For Attorney Fees Florida,
Articles D