WHO IS A "PHARISEE"?
In Christianity, we might hear of someone calling someone else, "a Pharisee". What really IS "a Pharisee"? What do people mean when they say someone is "a Pharisee"?
Usually they mean someone who says that G-ds' Law has importance.[1] But is this right? Let's see.
First of all, the Pharisees were of course present in Yeshuas' (Jesus') day. They have not "disappeared" as some may have been led to believe. They are a main sect of Judaism today. It has not "passed away".
WHO ARE THE "PHARISEES" TODAY?
After the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D., the sect that survived were the Pharisees. It is with these Pharisees' doctrines that todays' Judaism (rabbinic Judaism) survived and was built. Judaism today and observant Jews in Israel follow what the New Testament identifies as doctrines of the "Pharisees". What are these doctrines?
WHO ELSE HOLDS THE DOCTRINES OF THE PHARISEES TODAY?
Yeshua said, "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees". What is this "leaven" meant here? "Leaven" are their doctrines.
But what were the doctrines of the Pharisees? We know that it came to be rejection of Yeshua as Messiah was one, but what were the others?
WE KNOW EXACTLT BECAUSE THE JEWISH HISTORIAN JOSEPHUS RECORDED WHAT THEY WERE
The Jewish historian Josephus recorded what all the doctrines of the major sects of Judaism were at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. There were four main sects identified by Josephus: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes and Zealots.
Joephus described them, what they believed and their doctrines. What else did the Pharisees believe? It may surprise you.
THE DOCTRINES OF THE PHARISEES REVEALED
The Pharisees believed these things[2]:
1. The Pharisees believed in Faith
3. The Pharisees said that mans' Salvation is based upon his own "free will decision". Man could simply "will" to "Save himself".
4. Because of Faith "plus works" the Pharisees made Salvation "Conditional". This was the major reason why they were such intent Observers of the customs and traditions.
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?", YOU SAY?
We are totally serious! Aren't these very same doctrines held by the Pharisees now also held by many Christians today? Yes, they are!
You mean the very people who cry "Pharisee!, Pharisee!" when they hear G-ds' Law mentioned (see I John 3:4) are usually the ones that are the Pharisees? And the ones who reject Election and Predestination as the Primary factors in Salvation are also Pharisees?
Yes.
Anyone that holds the doctrines of the Pharisees can be considered Pharisees. These doctrines simply have pagan roots.[4] Pagan philosophy has entered the Assemblies!
IS THAT WHY PEOPLE CLAIM TO HAVE "NO DOCTRINE"?
Indeed.
These ones are most likely hiding something. We have found those who err most in this area claim not to have any doctrine at all. They also like to discourage serious studies! Don't worry though, whenever any speaks a word about the Bible, they are in fact stating a doctrinal position, no matter what they tell you: Be not deceived young believer!
MORE FOLLOWING SOON!
PEOPLE OF G-D, MESSIANIC
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© Copyright 2001 People of G-d, Messianic Ministries, Inc. No reproduction or redistribution without the Prior Written Consent and Approval of People of G-d.
FOOTNOTES
[1]In this regard we do not mean Judaizers, or those which seek to have Gentiles circumcised AFTER Salvation to be "perfect". We reject this teaching. It violates Pauls' Gospel to the Gentiles in Galatians Chapter 5.
[2]All of these doctrines which the Pharisees preached are found within Roman Catholicism and those who cater to it today. This can include several "independent Christian denominations" which have sprung up in the last 250 years in America and England. They may even attempt to pass themselves off as "Protestants" without holding any Protestant doctrines except insisting they "aren't Catholic"! They are usually totally unaware that the doctrines they actually do preach, are Catholic however! And as we have seen, not only Roman Catholic, but Pharisaical, as history itself plainly shows. Many times they may attempt to discourage young believers in their groups not to study Church history or ancient history at all, but just "follow the leader": them.
All of them have in common the rejection of the Doctrines of the Reformation that clearly delineate what True Protestantism is, and that made Western Civilization, America and England great.
[3]The Pharisees were opposed by the Essenes especially with regard to the Doctrine of Election. (John 1:13; John 6:44; Ephesians 1:4-13) The Essenes could be called "B.C. Calvinists" centuries before there ever was a John Calvin.
Go
HERE for excerpts from the Dead Sea Scrolls regarding what the Essenes believed. Remember that the Essenes were documented by Josephus as a valid sect of Judaism in the 1st Century.
Here is more on Election.
[4]Faith plus works is rooted in paganism. Pagans always demand special "human works" to satisfy their "deities". This can be seen in the Greek philosophy of SOCRATES most clearly.
