THE PHARISEES

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) The Pharisees and Sadducees were the two major religious groups in Israel at the time of Christ. The Pharisees were more religious minded, while the Sadducees were more politically minded. Although the groups disliked each other, they became allies in their common hatred for Jesus.

b) Let's look at the positive and negative characteristics of the Pharisees.

1. The Pharisees

a) Positive characteristics

i) Were committed to obeying all of God's commands.

ii) Were admired by the common people for their apparent piety.

iii) Believed in a bodily resurrection and eternal life.

iv) Believed in angels and demons.

b) Negative characteristics

i) Behaved as though their own religious rules were just as important as God's rules for living.

ii) Their piety was often hypocritical, and their efforts often forced others to try to live up to standards they themselves could not live up to.

iii) Believed that salvation came from perfect obedience to the law and was not based on forgiveness of sins.

iv) Became so obsessed with obeying their legal interpretations in every detail that they completely ignored God's message of mercy and grace.
 
v) Were more concerned with appearing to be good than obeying God.

The End ...