The Progressive Persecution of the First Century Church by the Sanhedrin Part 2

Persecution of the Apostles and Lay Leaders
Before we look at the direct persecution of the Apostles and leaders, let us look first at the reason for the persecution in the form of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The Pharisees objected more strongly to Christ and His teachings than any other religious or secular group in Israel.7 In Acts chapters 3 and 4 we find Peter and John going to the temple to pray, where they are confronted by a lame beggar. Peter tells the man to arise and walk by the power of Jesus and he immediately jumps up and is dancing and jumping around praising and worshiping God. Peter then asks everyone that witnessed this miracle why they marvel over this and proceeds to give his first sermon. Peter and John are seized by the Sadducees, the priests and the temple commander. At this point council concede that a true miracle has occurred, because this man was known and there was testimony that he was lame from birth.[1] This miracle shook the Sadducean theology to the core. At this point the council could have rendered many different verdicts in this case, but they chose to command the Apostles from doing the only thing they could not stop doing. They were to stop speaking the name of or spreading the teachings of Jesus. This was an area of clear disobedience to civil authority because it violated what God had instructed them to do. Before the apostles were released they were threatened to be quiet.[2] One explanation that I agree with as to why the apostles were not to use the name of Jesus is from Dr. Roy L. Laurin. He states, “When He was born (Jesus) He was given two names: first, Jesus, “because He shall save His people from their sins.” This is the name of the savior. Second, “Immanuel, God with us.” This is the name of deity. These two factors give power and authority to the use of the name of Jesus.”[3] In essence, by banning the name of Jesus the Apostles would lose the power and authority of the Holy Spirit. In Acts chapter 5 we find the Apostles back in the temple preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus. It is in chapter 5 we also find the warning from Gamaliel. Gamaliel was one of the most revered Pharisees (teacher of the law) and the top Jewish scholar of his time.[4] This passage brings us to two great lessons. The first, Gamaliel demonstrates for us that all Christians should be sober and under control. Secondly, committed believers must stand up against any heresy, cultic influences and attacks against fellow believers over minor matters.9
Stephen was the next person to be persecuted by the Sanhedrin. Stephen is also known as the first martyr, recorded in the New Testament scriptures. Although the Sanhedrin did not commit this atrocity directly, they were indirectly involved. Stephen was one of the seven chosen to pass out bread and distribute it among the Hellenistic Jews. The problem for Stephen came when he started to feed people the word of God.[5] He was brought before the council to make an account of what he was teaching and his wisdom surpassed all understanding. The final straw for the people present was when Stephen saw his vision of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. The council and the Jews immediately rushed him, dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death.[6] I would like to point out some illegal actions that took place during the death of Stephen. The people of the council broke their own law. Even though this is considered to be heresy and is punishable by the death penalty, the law was clear in that they could not execute someone until the next day. They also violated Roman law. Roman law prohibited the council or any other governing body from allowing them to carry out capital punishment; this would disrupt the Pax Romana (Peace of Rome). Although the stoning would appear to have been mob driven, I think this may have been a ploy by the Sanhedrin to inflict the death penalty without repercussions from Rome. The stoning itself did appear to be a formal execution. According to Holman’s commentary most scholars believe that Saul did not just stand guard over the coats, he played some official role in the execution.[7] Stephen’s death occurred nearly eight years after the crucifixion of Jesus, dating his death around A.D. 35. The hate the people had for Jesus has now transferred to Stephen and will now transfer to anyone who professed Jesus as the Christ. The entire church or body of Christ is now under persecution from the Sanhedrin.[8]
Persecution of the Church
In Acts 8:3 we find Saul actively starting the persecution of the church by dragging off to prison both men and women who were Christians. Saul was born in Tarsus. This was a Roman blessed city, meaning the entire city had gained Roman citizenship. This happened several decades before Saul was born, but it afforded him and his family Roman citizenship with all the rights and privileges that come with that title. Saul, and perhaps some of his family, eventually makes Jerusalem their residence. Although Saul and his family were tent makers, Saul was following a career path to become a Pharisee. Saul even studied under the most prestigious scholar ever recognized, Gamaliel. The Pharisees were so obsessed with the Law of Moses that they created additional laws to help protect the written laws of Moses.[9]
In Acts Chapter 9, Saul is so zealous to rid the world of the heresy of the Christian theology he finally makes a request to the high priest and the council to pursue anyone involved with the movement at this point they are still called, “The Way.” They grant Saul a letter sending him to Damascus to bring back to Jerusalem any that belong to “The Way.”[10] Many of the Christians that were present in Jerusalem when Stephen was stoned had fled to seek refuge from the persecution. Saul’s sole mission at this point was to track down and bring back those who fled. This was perhaps to aide in the destruction and stopping of the spread of the Gospel message those believers carried. Saul’s efforts were pure and righteous in his sight. He saw the Christian movement as a treat to Judaism and Paul being a good Jew and a good Pharisee wanted to preserve the traditions of Judaism. [11] Perhaps the Holman commentary can better illustrate this. Tough and crafty, this young rabbi from Tarsus zealously wanted to exterminate Christians. He had no intention of letting the persecution of the church end with the death of Stephen and the expulsion of believers from Jerusalem. He obtained permission from the high priest and headed northeast to Damascus and Syria, intending to bring back as prisoners any Christians he might find. He had scheduled no random burning and looting but rather a sophisticated, officially authorized persecution.[12]
The final blow to the Sanhedrin was the conversion of their chief zealous persecutor Saul. Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus can also be found in Chapter 9. Unfortunately this did not stop the persecution of the Church. We find that in Acts chapters 22 and 23 Paul, formally Saul stands before the Sanhedrin testifying about Christ being the messiah.

The End of the Sanhedrin
The final and great war against Rome in A.D. 66-73 not only destroyed the second temple, it reduced the Jewish people to the low status of provincials. This is the stripping away of their Roman Citizenship, but they are stilled obligated to pay their taxes and obey Roman law. This was the end of the political Sanhedrin causing all the leadership to fall to the religious Sanhedrin, making them the supreme authority. Unfortunately, at this point they had no political power at all in their own country. The Religious Sanhedrin now assumed not only the status but the name Sanhedrin exclusively. The religious Sanhedrin, also known as the court, became more and more of a religious academy. By the 2nd Century the religious Sanhedrin followed the political Sanhedrin into oblivion.[13]

Final Outlook
The Sanhedrin was necessary in the ultimate plan that God needed to fulfill His purpose. We may look back today and view the Sanhedrin as an evil entity, but my research had brought me to the conclusion that God used what was meant to be evil and do harm, to spread the Gospel message. Through the actions of the Sanhedrin, prophesies were fulfilled and Jesus proved with His life and works that He was the Son of God, The promised messiah. I am reminded of the scripture in Matthew 16:18, (Jesus)… Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build My church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

[1] NASB Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999
[2] Gangel, Kenneth O. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998. (p.61, 79)
[3] Dr. Roy L. Laurin, Acts: Life in Action (Ohio, Findlay: Dunham Publishing Company, 1962) (p.95)
[4] Miller, Stephen M. Who's Who and Where's Where in the Bible. uhrichsville: Barbour Punblishing, Inc., 2004. (p.121)
[5] Miller, Stephen M. Who's Who and Where's Where in the Bible. uhrichsville: Barbour Punblishing, Inc., 2004.(p.358)
[6] NASB Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999
[7] Gangel, Kenneth O. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998. (p.111)
[8] Chadwick, John Foxe and updated by Harold J. Foxe's Book of Martyrs.( Gainesville: Bridge-Logos, 2001). (p.5)
[9] Miller, Stephen M. Who's Who and Where's Where in the Bible. uhrichsville: Barbour Punblishing, Inc., 2004. (p.297)
[10] NASB Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999
[11] New Living Translation Application Study Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2004. (p.1834, 1837)
[12] Gangel, Kenneth O. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998. (p.138)
[13] Charles F. Pfeiffer, Howard F. Vos, and John Rea, Wycliffe Bible dictionary. Peabody: Hendrickson publishers, Inc., 2005. (p.1522)

The Progressive Persecution of the First Century Church by the Sanhedrin Part 1

Historical Facts: A Study of the Book of Acts

The Sanhedrin is translated into English as council. It is believed the Sanhedrin was officially formed during the centuries between the testaments or the 400 years of silence.[1] It consisted of 71 members and was presided over by the high priest or king. This would date back to old testament times referencing Numbers 11:16, The LORD therefore said to Moses, "Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. [2]
The Sanhedrin consisted of two separate parties: the Sadducees and the Pharisees. The Sadducees and the Pharisees can also be viewed as a political Sanhedrin and a religious Sanhedrin. The political Sanhedrin was chosen by the high priest or the king and there is no indication in ancient documents on how they were chosen. The people chosen were most likely friends of the high priest or king and came from the Levitical priesthood. This council was not a permanent entity, but was convened only in cases that demanded their attention. The council had the power to produce a verdict on any case but had no power to impose capital punishment. Capital punishment could only be implemented by Roman authorities. The second party was the Religious Sanhedrin. The religious Sanhedrin members were the highest court, similar to the U.S. Supreme Court. They would only hold trials on cases that were violating Jewish religious and criminal law. [3] These two councils of the Sanhedrin were concerned with two different areas. The political portion was concerned with secular issues, while the religious council dealt with enforcing the law of the Pentateuch. We can see these two groups broken down to the Sadducees who would be considered the secular party and the Pharisees considered the religious party.

Sadducees

The Sadducees did not hold power because of their political influence, but their power was from controlling most of the wealth. They collaborated with Roman authorities which provided them many material advantages. Being concerned with the secular part of their nation, their theology was less important to them than their place and position which brought about much conflict between them and the Pharisees.[4] The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection and they also did not believe in a personal messiah, but they believed in an ideal of a messiah. This can be illustrated when they were testing Jesus in Luke 20:27-40. They were trying to challenge Jesus on the theology of the resurrection with a trick question. Jesus redirects their theology and their misinterpretation of the scripture proving that God is a God of the living and not the dead by using the account with Moses and the burning bush. Matthew Henry has a great interpretation of this scripture. “The Sadducees deny that there is any resurrection, any future state, so anastasis (pertaining to the resurrection of the dead) may signify; not only no return of the body to life, but no continuance of the soul in life, no world of spirits, no state of recompense and retribution for what was done in the body.” According to Matthew Henry, the Sadducees caused a weakening of people’s faith in the doctrine of the resurrection if not in their entire faith based system. [5] This sounds very familiar with the arguments that are made today by Atheists and Agnostics. It is easier to deny an afterlife for the simple fact they may have to face God on the Day of Judgment, so they will not have to make an account for what they have done or how they lived their lives.
One final observation, according to F.F. Bruce a Sadducee could not become a Christian without first abandoning many of their theological beliefs. A Pharisee could become a Christian and remain a Pharisee. However, a Sadducee could become a Pharisee then become a Christian.[6]

Pharisees

The word Pharisee is a Hebrew word meaning to divide or separate, which could be translated as the separated ones. The word Pharisee and its translation could be pertaining to being separate from the sinfulness and uncleanliness of this world or they purposely separated themselves to study and interpret the law. The Pharisees were the authors of the two fold law, both oral and written. [7] The Pharisees were also very popular with the people of Israel.
The Pharisees had adopted a strong nationalistic or patriotic posture and their only concern was the defense of the law. We can tell by scriptures that they despised the Romans and their rules. Their basic theology included the belief in the bodily resurrection of the dead. They believed in the authenticity of angels and demons. They were also missionary minded seeking the conversion of the gentiles. They believed that God was concerned with and intervened in the lives of people who worshiped Him. They also believed that each person had the right to choose, therefore each person was responsible for their own actions and the way they lived their lives. The Pharisees were monotheistic, which means that they believed in only one God.7


[1] Chad Brand, Charles Draper, Archie England. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003.(p.1445)
[2] NASB Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999
[3] Charles F. Pfeiffer, Howard F. Vos, and John Rea, Wycliffe Bible dictionary. Peabody: Hendrickson publishers, Inc., 2005. (p.1520)
[4] Chad Brand, Charles Draper, Archie England. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003.(p.66,67)
[5] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible, Vol. 5 (Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. 1991) (p.642)
[6] Bruce, F.F. The Book of Acts. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1988. (p.428)
[7] Chad Brand, Charles Draper, Archie England. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003.(p.917)

Sharing your Faith

What were the circumstances surrounding your conversation with the unbelieving person when you presented the gospel to him/her.

Recently, I was called to repair a nuclear camera. I finished the repair quickly and had some time so I asked my client to have lunch with me. We have not seen each other for several years so I started to ask him personal questions about his girlfriend and he told me they broke up. I decided to listen to him and asked him what happened. After several minutes of listening he stated that all women where out for one thing, his money. I told him that he probably would continue to meet women like that if he looked for a woman at a bar, like he has been doing. He said there was nowhere else to look and I said how about church?

What was the reaction (questions/comments/statements) of the Unbeliever?

His reaction was not what I expected. He started to voice objections about the church. He said the Bible wasn’t accurate and I walked him through what I knew about the accuracy of the Bible. I then asked him if he thought he was a good person. He said yes and I asked him if I could ask him a few questions to see if that was true and said I could. I walked him through 3 of the 10 commandments and he admitted that he was a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart. During these questions he voiced several other objections regarding hypocrites in the church. I agreed with him that there were a lot of people who did not live the life of a true Christian. I then redirected him back to the important questions. I asked if he was judged by those standards (Ten Commandments) would he be found guilty or innocent. I then presented what Jesus did for him so he would not have to go to hell.

What did you do/say to the person in light of the person’s reaction to your presentation of the Gospel?

After presenting the entire gospel to him. He thanked me for taking the time to talk with him. He then told me that he would start reading the Bible. I suggested that he start in the book of Romans then start reading the first four books of the Bible. He told me that there was a new church that was opening up near his house and he said that he would go to this church to see if he liked it. Since my witnessing encounter with my client, I have spent time in prayer for the Holy Spirit to minister to him and bring him into the full knowledge of Christ. I plan on doing a follow-up with him the next time I am there working.