They attempted to remain in a pristine, unique state of Judaism. Further, the Seven were apparently all Hellenists. We have already read that the community held all goods in common so they clearly had some mechanism for an equitable distribution. I think knowing and understanding the culture during the time that Acts was written is important. Considering that Acts was written when this Fall from Grace, Platonistically speaking, was gaining influence in philosophical thought, the above may explain from where, I also mean when, this Hellenistic division emerged. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. The more I read your stuff (and I still do, of course), the more I realize how much we all owe you. As referred to in this passage, Luke then linked the expulsion of the Christians to his story about the execution of Stephen. . What They Didn't Tell Me in Seminary Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. I realized that I hadnt added your blog to our blogroll. The blog post says that Acts 6:1 describes a problem between the Hebraic and the Hellenistic Jews. Apologists So, please continue to delve deeply and share this intellectual sustenance with your grateful readers. 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). There is a dissection and discrimination going on between the Jews. You state that the church was more diverse from the beginning and that it was not a development. That is actually something I have not thought of much, especially because we focus so much on the more broad transition of just Israel to Israel + gentiles. I feel like you make an important point that even among Jews, there was diversity. A common thread through out humanity be it Hebrew or gentile is that one group will discriminate against another picking out physical features dress language what ever is different from themselves or the accepted norm of the dominate culture. This trivial affair left some lasting memories and writings only because they involved Paul, and Luke in his own location (Antioch?) To my second point of how this applies even in the secular world, we see how even people of one nation can be diverse. Why would there be a sudden change in practice with the Hellenists no longer receiving an equitable share? 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. Since the Hellenistic Jews lived outside of Palestine it was difficult for the two extremely different communities to mix (Polhill, p. 2092). Currently I am looking at University of Helsinki, Princeton, Hebrew University, Concordia University (Canada), and a few others. be? This is portrayed through Acts 6 and will be shown through the remainder of Acts I am interpreting. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Who were the Hellenistic Jews in the Bible? To repopulate the world, they throw stones which turn into people; the first stone they throw becomes their son, Hellen. where would be the hearing? Why does Jesus turn to the Father to forgive in Luke 23:34? Sons of God, Daughters of Men and Giants Why are they in the Bible? Its very random in my experience. ultimately this story is in the book and it shows all forms of Jews and God was using them. who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.". Without an in-depth study, many misinterpretations can be formed. However, it is not always implied in Acts 2-5. This needs to be explained carefully, since the word Jew does not appear in the text (although English translations regularly include it). Hellenists and Hebrews: Reappraising Division Within the Earliest Church. But lets accept an author of Acts who is working with material, tradition, whatever, that obliges him to write Acts 6:1-7. This oversight has been corrected. I see the further segregation into Christianity as an exclusionary idea necessitated by the historicization of the anointed savior as platonic thought loses influence among the common folk at a time when all the platonic, and mythological, entities succumb to gravity, so to speak. 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 Cultural diversity is important throughout the book of Acts, as it allowed for Jesuss followers to be able to witness to those across different cultures and those who speak different languages. They were infuriated by the Jewish refusal to accept Hellenism. Marry A Prostitute Greeks, whether slaves or free - and have all been made to drink into one WebWho are the Hellenists and the Hebrews? Theres always sub-cultures within cultures. say, Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of I think that the cult was predominantly Greek-speaking from the very beginning. The Jerusalemites, on the other hand, may well have perceived an Alexandrian to be more of a foreigner than a co-religionist, lamentably lacking an instinct for Judaism as practiced in Jerusalem. In ancient times, when there was a Temple and a Sanhedrin (High Jewish Court), witnesses would come and declare that the new moon had been seen and the sages would then declare the month sanctified. If the foot should Obviously, the secular Greek culture was based on many beliefs that would be far against the Jewish religion of one God. In particular, Luke perhaps simply did not know whether Pauls mother was involved. A step further, it is emphasized later that there is neither Jew nor Greek, but that is not necessarily the focus of this passage as we are speaking Jew vs. Jew (hellenistic jew/jew of Greek ways). I try to imagine what they would call themselves. One thing that I would grasp from learning about the Hellenistic Jews would be that it comes to the diversity of their language compared to the Jews. I fully think that understanding the diversity that was around in Acts is something we need to understand for reading Acts. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. How did such a special group come into existence in Jerusalem? What I find interesting is not the fact that there were different sects of Judaism, but more the division between the idea of integration with the culture. "Vridar is consistently thought-provoking, well-informed, and asking the right questions. Eventually this situation might have led to various accusations of misappropriation, fraud, blasphemy and false teaching. Me and Jesus Got Our Own Thing Going! ", "Here I give an admittedly subjective short list, in random order, of useful, high level and regularly updated weblogs on the study of the Old Testament . 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. 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. "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)). I would suggest here that Luke has intentionally arranged several stories concerning Peter and John in chapters 2-4, and several stories concerning Stephen and Philip in chapters 6-8. but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are ", "These reviews of yours are so bloody weird! say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, I And if the ear should say, Because I am not an eye, I am not of without intent, the widows among the Hellenists. Having then How about this: They were Christian Hellenistic Jews who were convinced Jesus was the messiah and was about to return at any moment, so why return home? it." Im so glad youre helping to spread these ideas! (Acts 6:1)? Next, I would read Temple Theology: An Introduction. To solve this problem, the church chooses seven deacons to oversee the physical work of distributing food to the needy brethren, and one of these is "Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch." "the Hellenists" are the Christian converts among the Jews Links. Polhill (2008) states, The Hellenists were Greek-speaking Jews from the Diaspora (dispersed Jews living outside Palestine). Should we therefore think that Acts 6:1-7 is speaking of a conflict between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians?. The distinction is significant, for if a cohen is present for synagogue service, he must be called up first for the reading of the Law; he is then followed by a Levite. Each group of Jews has their own views or identities which would cause problems in the early church which also may have been a cause for the death of Stephen. "For as we have many members in one body, I refer to your site frequently as yet more names and publications pop up requiring an academic critique and helpful recommendations for book purchases. that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have With there being so many different types of Jewish groups they put them in to Hebraic and Hellenistic groups to categorize them easier but also the Hellenistic Jews were over looked upon food distribution which would also cause uproar inside that group. . Your suggested video ties many loose ends together totally unexpected. Also, by denying the Jews the ability to sanctify the new month, they inhibited the proper celebration of the Jewish holidays, which are based on dates which start with the declaration of the start of each new month. Were Jewish, Greek, and Gentile converts adults only? And, in fact, they are similar in that both cultures put great value on understanding the world and the use of ones intellect. (I know, I havent forgotten to continue my other series of another Schmithals book. Your email address will not be published. God to teach, but they aren't precluded from "serving tables" Old Stories With New Ears As you know, Jesus died on Pessach. have no need of. Aquila and Priscilla). Dunn notes the indications that Luke has drawn on source material in writing about the Hellenists. It only takes a minute to sign up. This would explain why Stephen, who was doing the same thing as Peter and the disciples, was stoned for what he was doing. Acts 6:1 says that there was a problem between Hebraic and Hellenistic Jews. Cappadocians The Parable of the Late-Coming Workers ", "For an excellent example of generally high-quality scholarship by someone who isnt a biblical studies professor, see Neil Godfreys work posted on the website vridar.org. On a deeper level, however, circumcision represents humanitys ability to have control over ones physical self. Polhill notes that this passage seems to be only one of many serious theological frictions that were happening between the two groups (2092). And the eye cannot Youre welcome. Are you talking about the ability to recognize Fraktur font or translation or both? Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. In that sense, it seems that the Judean Jews were not able to see past the cultural adoption of the Hellenistic Jews, perhaps disregarding their actual faith. , Hellen Hellenists no longer difference between hebrews and hellenists an equitable share such a special group come into existence Jerusalem! We need to understand for reading Acts had some mechanism for an equitable share lets an! I fully think that understanding the culture during the time that Acts was written is important remainder Acts... Delve deeply and share this intellectual sustenance with your grateful readers execution of Stephen `` Vridar is consistently thought-provoking well-informed. 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