SECTS

SECTS	CHARACTERISTICS	BELIEFS	ORIGINS
Pharisees	Name derivation comes from "separatists" due to their strict view of uncleanness (not only from heathens but also from wayward Israelites). Jewish, middle class; mostly laity. Known for insisting that the law of God be observed as the scribes interpreted it and for their special commitment to keeping the laws of tithing and ritual purity. They had the greatest influence upon the congregations, so that all acts of public worship, prayers, and sacrifices were performed according to their injunctions. Their sway over the masses was so absolute that they could obtain a hearing even when they said anything against the king or the high priest, consequently they were the most capable of counteracting the design of the kings. More liberal in their interpretation of the Law than the Sadducees.	The Pharisees taught "that every soul is imperishable, but that only those of the righteous pass into another body, while those of the wicked are, on the contrary, punished with eternal torment." Taught the existence of angels and demons. Believed in a coming Messiah. Final punishment of evil; rewards for good. The Pharisees make everything depend on fate and on God, and teach that the doing of good is indeed chiefly the affair of man, but that fate also cooperates in every transaction. They assert that everything is accomplished by faith. They do not, however, deprive the human will of spontaneity, it having pleased God that there should be a mixture, and that to the will of fate should be added the human will with its virtue or baseness. They believed that the Torah was both written and oral law revealed by God to Moses. The study of it was true worship.	Originally both scribes and priests during time of Ezra, the Pharisees began to separate themselves from Sadducees during Maccabean era (165 BC) taking on the characteristics of the scribes. The first reference to their activities come from the reign of John Hyrcanus (134-104 BC). Wanted to be separate from "the people of the land." They appear in the time of John Hyrcanus under the name of "Pharisees," no longer indeed on the side of the Maccabees but in hostile opposition to them. The reason for this was that the Maccabeans' chief object was no longer the carrying out of the law but the maintenance and extension of their political power. Most likely came from group known as the Hassidim (pious ones). Arose during 2^nd century BC when the influence of Hellenism on the Jews was particularly strong and many Jews lived little differently than their Gentile neighbors. But the Hasidim insisted on strict observance of Jewish ritual laws.
Sadducees	Wealthy persons of rank drawn largely from the rich class who in earlier days, had secured a dominant position. Controlled many seats within the Jewish Sanhedrin. Sophisticated and educated materialists. They controlled the temple and the affairs of the country, as representatives of the priestly aristocracy, supporting the Hasmonean rulers. Even under Roman rule, through the Sanhedrin, in which many were members, they exercised considerable political control over the people of Palestine. More apt to adopt Hellenism and were in favor with Roman authorities. Considerably opposed to Christian doctrine. Had little popular support.	Anti-supernaturalistic (apart from their belief in God). Emphasized sacrificial cultus of the Temple and held their own traditions regarding it and legal matters. NO divine sovereignty. NO authoritative oral tradition (only written law of Moses). NO existence of angels and demons (at least not elaborate angelology). NO resurrection of the body. Coming final judgment and rewards. Expectation of the coming Messiah. Held that the levirate law was obligatory only when marriage was not consummated.	The Sadducean party came from the ranks of the priests as opposed to the scribes when sharp division arose between them and the Pharisees. The characteristic feature of the Sadducees arose from their social position. The name may have developed from Zadok, the high priest in the days of David (2 Sam. 8:17; 15:24) and Solomon (1 Kings 1:34-35). Ezekiel shows the Zadokite family worthy of controlling the temple. A Sadducee may be one who was a sympathizer of the Zadokites (200 BC) as the party of the high priests and aristocratic families. Like that of the Pharisees, is in all probability to be sought in that remarkable period of Jewish history which is embraced between the restoration of Israel to its own land, or rather between the cessation of prophecy after that event, and the Christian era. No traces of Sadduceeism are to be found in Israel previous to the captivity.
Zealots	Directed Jewish insurrection of AD 66-70. Jewish nationalists whose zeal for God’s holiness and honor gave them their name. Took up holy war tradition from OT. Mobilized righteous indignation of the devout to "liberate" Jerusalem from the Romans and restore the sanctity of the Temple. Advocated open war with the Romans. Believed it to be unlawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Militant wing of the Pharisees; fanatics for Jewish independence and power. Ceased to exist after the fall of Masada (AD 73).	Believed in the supernatural (God who revealed Himself through the Law, prophets, and spiritual sages). Believed in God’s sovereignty: free-will in accordance with predestination; history is divinely controlled. Hierarchy of good and evil spirits. Immortality of the soul and the physical resurrection of the body. Two impulses in man: good and evil. Final judgement for all including rewards for the good and punishment for evil. Authority of the Law and the Oral tradition. Shared in the Messianic hope. Emphasized ethics over theology.	Most likely from the rebellion against the Romans in AD 6 or even against Herod the Great in 6 BC. From the time of the Maccabees there existed among the Jews a party who professed great zeal for the observance of the "law." According to Josephus (BJ, IV, iii, 9; v, 1; VII, viii, 1) they resorted to violence and assassination in their hatred of the foreigner. It is not improbable that the "Assassins" of Acts 21:38 were identical, or at least closely associated, with this body of "Zealots." Possibly traced back to the Hassidim or the Maccabees.
Scribes	"One who can write." Specialists in Law interpretation within the larger religious parties of Judaism. Originally supposed to teach and communicate the Word of God. a.k.a. known as sages, rabbis, and masters due to the fact that they knew the law, copied it, and gave authoritative interpretations/applications to it. Enjoyed high esteem from the people. A man became a scribe by knowledge and ability acquired through long courses of study under the tutelage of a famous rabbi. The group encompassed Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. Since the scribes were lawyers much of their time was occupied in teaching and in judicial functions.	Given their great diversity of many different sects there was no "statement of faith" among the scribes as a whole. Beliefs were based upon what sect one was from. Pharisaical scribes adhered to the doctrines of the Pharisees (see above) while the Sadducean scribes adhered to the doctrines of the Sadducees (see above). Generally speaking, however, the scribes were mostly Pharisaical in their beliefs.	Most likely due to Hellenism in order to maintain proper study, exposition, and application of the Scriptures. It was chiefly in the interest of the priestly cult that the most important part of the Pentateuch was written. The priests were therefore also in the first instance the scholars and the guardians of the Law; but in the course of time this was changed. The more highly esteemed the Law became in the eyes of the people, the more its study and interpretation became a lifework by itself, and thus there developed a class of scholars who, though not priests, devoted themselves assiduously to the Law. These became known as the scribes, that is, the professional students of the Law.
Herodians	Jews of influence and standing who were favorable toward Greek customs and Roman law in New Testament times. Should not be equated with the Sadducees, but they did side with them in their pro-Roman sympathies and opposed the Pharisees, who were anti-Roman. Supported Herod the and the Herodian dynasty (37 BC – AD 70). Accepted Hellenization and foreign rule. Wealthy with political influence. A party among the Jews of the apostolic age, and keenly opposed to Jesus (Matt. 22:16; Mark 3:6). Paid homage to Rome. Joined forces with Pharisees against Jesus, in whom they saw a common enemy. The Herodians were more than a political party and less than a religious sect.	They were not a religious sect, but, as the name implies, a court or political party, supporters of the dynasty of Herod. Nothing is known of them beyond what the Gospels state. Whatever their political aims, they early perceived that Christ's pure and spiritual teaching on the kingdom of God was irreconcilable with these, and that Christ's influence with the people was antagonistic to their interests. Hence, in Galilee, on the occasion.	The party was probably formed under Herod the Great and appears to have held that it was right to pay homage to a sovereign who might be able to bring the friendship of Rome and other advantages, but who had personally no title to reign by law and by religion. Antipater was the father of Herod, and he had been forced to become Jewish though he was an Idumean. Antipater’s father was Antipas, and he was governor of Idumea; Antipater followed in his father’s footsteps. Through some shrewd management Antipater was able to gain the support of the Roman General Pompey. After Pompey took Jerusalem Antipater was put in charge over Judea, and the high priest was stripped of all governing authority. Antipater put his son Herod in charge at the age of 15. Once Pompey was defeated by Julius Caesar Herod went to Rome and sought Caesar’s favor; he was later named the king of the Jews in 40 BC. From here the Herodian dynasty prospered.
Essenes	Monastic sect living in isolation in the barren desert near the shores of the Dead Sea. Regarded themselves as the "true people of God" and all others, including the Jewish leaders at Jerusalem, as the enemies. "Sons of Light" who lived for the day when in the final battle against the "Sons of Darkness" they would be given the victory and dominion which was their due. Studied the Scriptures diligently, loved their own, and hated all outsiders. Produced elaborate biblical commentaries applying all OT Scriptures to their own interpretations and expectations. Looked for two Messiahs: Aaron (priestly) and of Israel (royal), or possibly one who encompassed both roles. Celibate for the most part and lived in communal settlements where they worked at various occupations during the morning – then prayed. They shared a communal meal and meditated on Scripture in the afternoon and the evening. Each member took a night watch every night to read and study the law.	Theologically akin to the Pharisees but were more rigid and attuned to apocalyptic ideas. Became ascetics and exceeded ritual practices of the Pharisees. Viewed Jerusalem Temple worship and priesthood as impure and illegitimate. They did not approve of daily sacrifices to the Roman Emperor. Rejected animal sacrifices in favor of bringing gifts to the Temple. Did many virtuous deeds in hope of an eternal reward. Worshipped in strict obedience to the Law, observed strict purification rituals, and practiced strict discipline Took strong oaths of piety and obedience in preparation for the coming of the Lord. Believed in apocalyptic Messianic Kingdom for the righteous remnant.	Though origins came to light with discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, there is no real certainty of an exact date. Most likely it was during Maccabean era. Founded by the "Teacher of Righteousness" which was around 165 BC and lasting until around AD 68. Might have originated with the Hassidim along with the Pharisees from whom they later parted ways (1 Maccabees 2:42; 7:13).
Sicarii	Greek term for "daggermen" because these "terrorists" carried concealed daggers. Insurgents and extremists among the Zealots. These first century terrorists (AD 50-70), or "assassins," terrorized Judea. Violently opposed to Rome. Known to stalk a Roman or a Roman sypathizer in a crowd, stab the person, then drop back into the crowd, and escape. Fanatically patriotic to the point of terrorism. Jonathon, the high priest, was the first to be assassinated by them. They took a leading part in the Jewish rebellion and in the disturbance previous to it, and also in the faction quarrels during the war. After the war they continued their nefarious practices in Egypt and Cyrene where they had fled. A fanatical group of Jewish nationalists in the first century A. D. Four thousand of them followed an Egyptian who promised to lead them in a rebellion against the Romans <Acts 21:38>. The Roman commander at Jerusalem wondered if the apostle Paul were a member of this group <Acts 21:38>.	Same theology as that of the Zealots (see above) but more extreme.	This was an extreme Zealot group that arose to oppose Roman rule; their name comes from the Greek word for "daggermen" who would stab those friendly to Roem when intended victims were in large crowds. Most likely from the rebellion against the Romans in AD 6 or even against Herod the Great in 6 BC. From the time of the Maccabees there existed among the Jews a party who professed great zeal for the observance of the "law." According to Josephus (BJ, IV, iii, 9; v, 1; VII, viii, 1) they resorted to violence and assassination in their hatred of the foreigner. It is not improbable that the "Assassins" of Acts 21:38 were identical, or at least closely associated, with this body of "Zealots." Possibly traced back to the Hassidim or the Maccabees.