documents that serve as a window on a turbulent and
critical period in the history of Judaism. In addition to
the three groups identified by Josephus (Pharisees,
Sadducees, and Essenes), Judaism was further divided into
numerous religious sects and political parties. With the
destruction of the Temple and the commonwealth in 70 C.E.,
all that came to an end. Only the Judaism of the Pharisees-
-Rabbinic Judaism--survived. Reflected in Qumran
literature is a Judaism in transition: moving from the
religion of Israel as described in the Bible to the
Judaism of the rabbis as expounded in the Mishnah (a third-
century compilation of Jewish laws and customs which forms
the basis of modern Jewish practice).
The Dead Sea Scrolls, which date back to the events
described in the New Testament, have added to our
understanding of the Jewish background of Christianity.
Scholars have pointed to similarities between beliefs and
practices outlined in the Qumran literature and those of
early Christians. These parallels include comparable
rituals of baptism, communal meals, and property. Most
interesting is the parallel organizational structures: the
sectarians divided themselves into twelve tribes led by
twelve chiefs, similar to the structure of the early
Church, with twelve apostles who, according to Jesus,
would to sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes
of Israel. Many scholars believe that both the literature
of Qumran and the early Christian teachings stem from a
common stream within Judaism and do not reflect a direct
link between the Qumran community and the early Christians.
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/scrolls/juda.html
SO the Rabbis were supposed to validate Christ's
authenticity?
How absurd!
From left to right
Bartholomew
James Minor
Andrew
Peter (also called Simon Peter)
Judas Iscariot
John
Jesus
Thomas
James Major
Philip
Matthew
Thaddeus
Simon the Canaanite (also Simon the Zealot)
I count TWELVE apostles.
Or perhaps John just took the day off.
To quote David Horowitz: The Catholic Church was the enemy of Communism".
It is no mystery why today's Marxist's attack it.