1. In the Fullness of Time – Part 2 (Galatians 4:4-7) Understanding the Book of Acts through a First Century AD “Lens”

2. Jewish Religious and Political Sects (Second Century BC-First Century AD) The Hasidim (Pharisees) The Hellenizers (Sadducees): “The interaction of Judaism and Hellenistic culture is… one of the fundamental struggles in the march of civilization…” (Norman Bentwich) The Essenes and Zadokites (and the Dead Sea Scroll Community) The Zealots (and Sicarii ) The Sanhedrin

3. The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha APOCRYPHAL Books 1 Esdras 2 Esdras Tobit Judith Additions to Esther Wisdom of Solomon Ecclesiasticus Baruch Epistle of Jeremiah Song of the Three Children Story of Susanna Bel and the Dragon Prayer of Manasseh 1 Maccabees 2 Maccabees The Apocrypha : “Hidden books” The Pseudepigrapha : “Falsely attributed books”

4. The Arrival of Rome Pompey and the Capture of Jerusalem in 63 BC The Pax Romana An Affirmation of Hellenistic Culture Excellent Roads Roman Procurators: Pontius Pilate, Felix, Festus Emperor Worship but respect for ancient Religions

5. Flavius Josephus (ca. AD 37-100) An Apologist and Historian for the Jewish People The History (Antiquities) of the Jews The Wars of the Jews

6. New Testament Palestine

7. Herod and The Herodian Dynasty

8. Jewish Nationalism and the Great Revolt

9. The Birth of Rabbinical Judaism (AD 70 until the present) The Council of Yavneh (Jamnia), convened in AD 90 by Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zakkai, officially confirmed the Old Testament Canon and formally established the Synagogue as the central place of Jewish worship, study, social and cultural life