Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews The Dawn of Christianity Between the Testaments and the Early Church Age Lesson 4 Apocryphal Literature, Messiahs, and Resurrection Steve Plaster

Lesson Structure Clash of Cultures: Judaism and Hellenism People of the Book The Sacred Writings Apocryphal Literature, Messiahs, and Resurrection The Essenes and the Maccabees The Herodians, the Romans, and the Prophets Trials and Tribulations of Jesus Resurrection and the Birth of the Church Paul’s Missionary Journeys Paul’s Letters and Trials Jewish Revolt Groups and the Temple Destruction How We Got the Bible

The apocrypha are the Old Testament Jewish literature which is referred to as outside of canon. These are excluded from the Hebrew Bible but included in the Christian Greek Septuagint and the Christian Latin Vulgate. The Old Testament apocrypha books are: I Esdras, II Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Esther extended, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, Daniel extended, Prayer of Manasses, I Maccabees, and II Maccabees. All were written in Aramaic except Judith which is in Hebrew.

There is a second grouping of Old Testament Jewish literature known as the Pseudepigrapha. All of it is apocalyptic in theme. Those books with Palestinian origin are: I Enoch, Book of Jubilees, Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, Psalms of Solomon, Testament of Job, Assumption of Moses, Lives of the Prophets, Martyrdom of Isaiah, Testament of Abraham, Apocalypse of Abraham, II Baruch, and Life of Adam and Eve. Those books of Hellenistic origin are: Sibylline Oracles, III Maccabees, IV Maccabees, II Enoch, and III Baruch.

The Apocalyptists Jewish apocalyptic literature flourished from 165BC-90AD. Apocalyptic literature abounds in imagery, symbolism, metaphors, and allusions. The themes of this literature are an end to Gentile world powers, inheriting of the kingdom of God by Israel, life after death, final judgment, visions and dreams, written as pseudonyms, and the glorification of the priesthood.

The Messiah and the Son of Man The term “Messiah” means “anointed one” and was commonly applied to Jewish kings and High Priests. This view was national, political, and this-worldly. Other uses for the name of “Messiah” is eternal, universal, transcendental, and other-worldly. The “Messiah” would then be either human or divine, establishing an earthly political kingdom or a heavenly spiritual kingdom. Some longed for the return of a Messianic High Priest from the House of Levi and some sought a Messianic royal Davidic princely leader of the House of Judah.

The spiritual Messiah was often called the Son of Man first introduced in Daniel 7:13 and 100 times in the Book of Ezekial. Jesus was the fulfillment of the spiritual Messiah who was hidden and a mystery (Mark 9:1; 14:62, Romans 1:4).

The Resurrection and the Life Beyond The concept of individual retribution and deliverance was introduced by Jeremiah and Ezekial. The blessing of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked with the concepts of heaven, hell, and variations in each are in Daniel and the apocalyptic literature. This literature introduced the resurrection of the body with the soul.

The Dawn of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews The Dawn of Christianity Between the Testaments and the Early Church Age Lesson 4 Apocryphal Literature, Messiahs, and Resurrection Steve Plaster