A common question that I hear from my Christian Friends is, “What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle?”  Although it has become common to use the terms interchangeably, they really do refer to specific groups of people.  Adding confusion to the issue is the fact that all apostles are disciples, but not … Continue reading “Go therefore, make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19 // Disciples & Apostles →

Every Christian is familiar with the terms “Pharisees” and “Sadducees.”  These were the most powerful religious sects in Palestine at the time of Christ.  But few of us really understand the distinctions that defined them, and how important those distinctions were. Also, many Christians don’t realize that there was a third school of Jewish religious … Continue reading “The Pharisees and Sadducees came to (Jesus)…” Matthew 16:1 // Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes →

The Essenes. We’re exploring Jewish Religious Sects.  Last week we looked at the Pharisees and the Sadducees, the two sects most often mentioned in the Bible.  However, there was a third, also very influential, Jewish religious sect at the time called the Essenes. Fixed dates for the Essenes’ operative years are not known, but it … Continue reading “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near at hand…” Matthew 3:2 // The Essenes →