Sunday Morning Introduction and Background Class #5 The Sabbath in the New Testament / Christ’s Miracles

II. Miracles of Christ  Definition  “an act initiated by God apart from natural occurrences; supernatural”  That which is remarkable or unusual is not necessarily miraculous  Natural explanations are not harmonious with the gospel texts specific miracles35-38 specific miracles References to an innumerable amountReferences to an innumerable amount

Power over disease, nature, demons, physical matter, deathPower over disease, nature, demons, physical matter, death Supernatural ability to grant life and possess all knowledgeSupernatural ability to grant life and possess all knowledge Jesus performed them without strainJesus performed them without strain They were without ceremonyThey were without ceremony They were instantThey were instant The act was often initiated by a statement or physical gesture to indicate that He was responsibleThe act was often initiated by a statement or physical gesture to indicate that He was responsible Done openly in various settingsDone openly in various settings WitnessesWitnesses Limits on when, who, to what extentLimits on when, who, to what extent

PurposePurpose  Matt. 11:2-6  John 3:2; 10:25; 14:11; 15:24; 20:30-31  It was about convincing people of His identity

Demons and Demon PossessionDemons and Demon Possession  No reference in O.T. to possession  Parallel to the coming of Christ (God and Satan both manifested)  A head to head contest  A demonstration of Christ’s absolute authority and unlimited power  Possession: - Controlled by demon - Not necessarily connected to sinfulness

Sunday Morning Introduction and Background Class #6 The Jewish Sects (part 1)

I. Why the Jews were divided into sects and parties  Different reactions to Greek influences  Power struggles within a power vacuum

II. The Pharisees  History  In the period between the testaments  Originated in a group that broke from the Jewish leaders who had taken control from the Greeks  “to separate”  The root of their existence is found in a zeal for the Law and a desire to be holy unto God

 Formed a partnership with the scribes  Some national influence early, then lost it with the coming of the Romans and Herod  They will survive beyond the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD

 Role in Jewish Society  Middle class – small landowners, shopkeepers, artisans  Antagonists to the Romans and the Herods  Opponents of new social and religious currents  Worked at a local level  Esteemed highly by the common people  Aloof from Gentiles, Samaritans, and Jews who were not strict on purity

Oral Law  Beliefs and Practices  Law - Emphasis on Torah (first 5 books) - They also believed that God passed down an oral law through Moses to the scribes - They believed the scribes’ interpretation of the Law was equally authoritative Written Law - Meticulous obsession

 Other beliefs - Fate (predestination) combined with free will of man - Resurrection for the righteous and judgment - Angels and demons

 Jesus and the Pharisees  Common ground: - High regard for the Law - Purity from corruption of the world - Resurrection - Personal devotion

 Jesus and the Pharisees  Differences - Contact with sinners (eating) - Ritual purity (washing) - Sabbath - Marriage (Matt. 19)