FIRST CENTURY INSTITUTIONS
During the first century A.D. the people lived in an environment dominated by Judaism. Most were poor and lived off the land. Although Saul of Tarsus came from a “well-to-do” family; nonetheless, he grew up in this environment. Bible readers are aware that God, in the past, changed the names of some men and women; however, there is no indication, in the Bible, that He changed Saul’s name. In fact, the Bible makes no mention of Saul’s name ever being changed. It simply states, “Then Saul, who is also called Paul…” (Acts 13:9) The significance of this statement is that Paul possessed two names. The custom, in those days, was to give a Roman name to those who were born Roman citizens; however, his mother was a …show more content…
Formal education usually began in the synagogue at the age of six years. The Pentateuch [The first five books of the Old Testament] was studied beginning with Leviticus.
THE SANHEDRIN COURT
The second major institution of the Jews was the Sanhedrin court, which was made up of seventy Jewish men and was presided over by the High Priest. Both Pharisees and Sadducees served on the Sanhedrin. This court can only be traced back to about 200 B.C.; yet, it likely had its beginning as the Jerusalem city council during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah; about 430 B.C.. The Sanhedrin, with the approval of the Roman government, had all authority over the Jews, including the death sentence; however, only the Roman government could execute capital punishment. The Sanhedrin met daily except on the Sabbath.
Paul stated that when Christians were put to death, he cast his vote against them (Acts 26: 10); however, voting privileges were restricted to members of the Sanhedrin. And, it is no little interest that the Sanhedrin was made up of married men. Of course, Paul was unmarried at the time of his evangelistic
During the first century A.D. the people lived in an environment dominated by Judaism. Most were poor and lived off the land. Although Saul of Tarsus came from a “well-to-do” family; nonetheless, he grew up in this environment. Bible readers are aware that God, in the past, changed the names of some men and women; however, there is no indication, in the Bible, that He changed Saul’s name. In fact, the Bible makes no mention of Saul’s name ever being changed. It simply states, “Then Saul, who is also called Paul…” (Acts 13:9) The significance of this statement is that Paul possessed two names. The custom, in those days, was to give a Roman name to those who were born Roman citizens; however, his mother was a …show more content…
Formal education usually began in the synagogue at the age of six years. The Pentateuch [The first five books of the Old Testament] was studied beginning with Leviticus.
THE SANHEDRIN COURT
The second major institution of the Jews was the Sanhedrin court, which was made up of seventy Jewish men and was presided over by the High Priest. Both Pharisees and Sadducees served on the Sanhedrin. This court can only be traced back to about 200 B.C.; yet, it likely had its beginning as the Jerusalem city council during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah; about 430 B.C.. The Sanhedrin, with the approval of the Roman government, had all authority over the Jews, including the death sentence; however, only the Roman government could execute capital punishment. The Sanhedrin met daily except on the Sabbath.
Paul stated that when Christians were put to death, he cast his vote against them (Acts 26: 10); however, voting privileges were restricted to members of the Sanhedrin. And, it is no little interest that the Sanhedrin was made up of married men. Of course, Paul was unmarried at the time of his evangelistic