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To: blue-duncan; annalex
Actually, to be more precise, it was for the Hellenistic Jews. The nationalistic Jews maintained the Hebrew scriptures and they controlled the Temple worship

It turns out that Greek was a relatively common language spoken in Palestine, as well as the Diaspora. While the "nationalistic Jews" may have controlled the Temple, it doesn't follow that they were not Hellenistic or had Hellenistic tendencies. The historical books of this period show that Hellenism was rampant throughout even the heirarchy of the priesthood in Palestine.

Regards

10,696 posted on 02/16/2007 9:17:17 AM PST by jo kus (Humility is present when one debases oneself without being obliged to do so- St.Chrysostom; Phil 2:8)
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To: jo kus; annalex; kosta50; HarleyD; Blogger; Forest Keeper; wmfights; Kolokotronis; Dr. Eckleburg; ..

"While the "nationalistic Jews" may have controlled the Temple, it doesn't follow that they were not Hellenistic or had Hellenistic tendencies."

That's not necessarily true when you look at the early church Acts 6:1-4, "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

One of those named a Deacon was Stephen who in verse 9 was disputing with the leaders of the Hellenistic synagogue, "Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen."

The leaders of the church that met in the Temple area were decidedly Hebrew Jews. Now if the church mirrored the religious population of Jerusalem, and the Hellenistic Jews had their own synagogue, there was a distinction between the Hebrew Jews and the Hellenistic Jews.


10,701 posted on 02/16/2007 10:55:54 AM PST by blue-duncan
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