1. The New Testament Era

2. Religious/Political groups
Sadducees: financially well off, wanted to keep their social status
Willing to cooperate with Roman empire
Recognized only the Torah
Rejected the oral tradition
Did not believe in angels, spirits, or resurrection of the dead

3. Groups Pharisees: opposed Sadducees in almost all areas
Teachers, defenders of the law
Valued oral interpretation of the Torah (Law) which resulted in more laws
Believed in angels, spirits, and the resurrection of the dead – for the just

4. Groups Zealots: wanted independence from Rome
Willing to go to extremes to get it
Willing to endure persecution
Led revolt vs. Rome in 66 AD
One of the Apostles- Simon – was a Zealot
Essenes: the ‘monks’ of Jewish culture
Separation from all that is unclean: gentiles, Temple worship, … other Jews
3 years of rigid preparation to join

5. Groups Essenes; cont’d Believed end of time was near
Responsible for dead Sea Scrolls
John the Baptist may have belonged
Samaritans: rejected by all of above groups
Intermarried with other groups
Recognized the Torah

6. Groups Diaspora Jews: lived outside of the Holy Land
Due to Babylonian invasion of 586 BCE,
Influenced nearby gentiles to accept the Jewish faith
Later accepeted Gospel from Paul

7. The New Testament Era Pax Romana: begins with Augustus Caesar
Included Europe and near East (Spain, France, England, Germany, Turkey, Syria, Egypt, North Africa …
Lasted well into 2nd century CE
Roads and communication: built roads throughout the empire
Travel was faster and safer – 50 miles/day
Leads to growth in trade and economy
Large cities developed (Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, Corinth…)

8. New Testament Era Status determined by birth
Citizens could vote, hold office, appeal government decisions
Slavery was accepted
40 % of population at times
Freedom had to be bought
High taxes necessary to maintain the empire
Jesus born during reign of Augustus, killed during reign of Tiberius
Various attempts to wipe out Christianity during 3rd and 4th centuries
Eventually becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire under Constantine