Page 137 - Biblical Backgrounds student textbook

Study Section 18: Jewish Backgrounds in Acts and the Epistles.

17.1 Connect.

We must understand that the Jewish backgrounds that Christianity developed in is vital for
understanding the New Testament. At some time or another Christians all wonder whether
baptism is necessary to be saved eternally. The real question is what was baptism in that
culture and how was it understood? We also wonder why the Jewish culture in Palestine was
convinced that the exile had not truly ended yet. Why did the Jewish people consider
themselves in exile though some still lived in their homeland? If we know why it will help us to
understand what the culture was trying to accomplish as it attempted to bring about the return from
exile. Understanding what the goal of ending exile entailed will help us understand the various sects
present in Judaism at during the time of Jesus and the early church. It will explain why various socially
significant groups gained influence. What were the major social groups that defined the culture of that
time? Jewish life and background were not limited to the land of Israel (called Judea by Romans). As we
have already seen, many Jews were scattered throughout the empire. What about their lives? Many
different views of the coming Messiah were dominant throughout Jewish thought at the time. What was
the messianic hope of the Jews? Another major issue from biblical interpretation is what was
discipleship in that time? How does that understanding inform our reading of the Gospels, Acts and the
epistles? All of these subjects are vital snapshots of the world the New Testament was written in. They
open our eyes to see the meaning of the text of Scripture as the readers would have likely understood it.
One of the most vital to understand is the honor shame culture of Israel. In this section we will address
each of these issues.

18.2 Objectives.

1. Students should be able to describe the major conception of exile and its connection to baptism
and purity rituals.

2. Students should be able to summarize what the major sects of Judaism during Jesus and the
Apostles ministry were.

3. Students should be able to explain the Diaspora and its impact on Jewish culture.

4. Students should be able to explain the discipleship relationship of a rabbi to a disciple and how that
informs biblical and theological interpretation.

18.3 Jewish Backgrounds in Acts and the Epistles

Exile and purity rituals in Jewish culture

The Jewish culture of Jesus time had survived the Babylonian captivity. Cyrus had sent them
back to Jerusalem. The Greeks had ruled them. At the time of Jesus, the Romans ruled Judea.
They were oppressed by Roman rule. The prophecies said that when the Messiah came, he

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