Pharisees & Sadducees

 

 

“Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:6) “Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:12)

Even though Christ never denied, disobeyed, or contradicted Scripture the professed Bible-believers of that day despised and rejected Him because He contradicted and disputed their extrabiblical teachings. In the first century the Pharisees were fundamental, ultra-conservative legalists and the Sadducees were religious liberals that denied fundamental teachings of Scripture and were guided by secular considerations, and both groups distorted Scripture to support their pet theories. The leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees still impacts religious circles and is a serious threat to sound Biblical Christianity. Have you been affected? You might be surprised. Try applying these questions to specific beliefs, teachings, and issues:

·        What does the Bible say about this, and have you personally studied to learn what the Bible teaches? What would be your response if an unbeliever asked why you believe this? (Proverbs 2:6; Matthew 15:3, 8-9; 22:29; II Timothy 2:14-15; 3:16)

·        How important is this in relation to other matters and what Bible truths and principles or standards apply? (Matthew 23:24; Romans 14:1-13; I Timothy 1:5-7; note that Romans 14 is not a denial of the importance of  church discipline, as some suppose, but is dealing with conscientious differences of opinion.)

·        Was this true in the distant past and will this still be true in the distant future? (Psalm 33:11; 119:89; Proverbs 19:21; Ecclesiastes 1:9-10)

·        Can this be verified with Scripture or is it necessary to use the arguments of the world? (Psalm 33:10; Romans 12:2; I Corinthians 1:20; 2:5; Colossians 1:9; 2:8)