Q&A: What Does Reverend Deal Say This Week?
‘The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead’
Question: How long was the gap between the Old Testament and the New Testament and were there any social or religious changes between the Testaments?
Answer: The time between the Old Testament and the New Testament was approximately 400 years. Writers call this gap of 400 years ‘the silent years: when God stop talking’. Between Malachi and Matthew (although many believe that the Gospel of Mark was the first book recorded in the New Testament) due to the transformation of leadership, Judaism was shaped into many religious sects. There were the (1) Sadducees – wealthy and the upper-class. They wanted status instead of following the word of God. The Sanhedrin Council were comprised by many. (2) Pharisees – followed the word of God. Believed in the resurrection. Many believe that Jesus was a Pharisee. Nicodemus was a Pharisee. (3) Essenes- the group that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls. They believed in the resurrection as well. Some say that John the Baptist falls under this sect. (4) Zealots – believed in fighting for their Jewish religion. They were fanatics, extremist and militant. The word Zeal comes to mind. A group of assassins entitled’ Sicarii- cloak and daggers – were members of this sect.
Other sects were the Publicans, Scribes, Nazarenes, and Nazarites (Sampson’s sect). Prayer, meditation and biblical research from Nehemiah to Christ will unfold certain truths you did not know.
Reverend David Deal is the senior pastor at Every Christian Church is Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Rev Deal can be reached in care of the Westside Gazette, 545 NW 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. or email at David.Deal55@gmail.com
