• Discussion Forum

  Describe the place of the temple in first-century Jerusalem’s social, economic, and political life.

  Posted by Deleted User on 09/15/2021 at 11:28

  Deleted User replied 3 years, 3 months ago 2 Members · 2 Replies

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  Deleted User

  Deleted User

  03/22/2022 at 15:37

  The temple in first-century Jerusalem was the lifeblood of the people. The people at all hierarchical levels depended on the temple, and the temple on them. Economically, there were a number of trades – pottery, baking, wools, olive oil, carpentry, and stonecutting – and the temple needed all of these trades. The traders also relied on the the many pilgrims who came to the temple. Socially, there were thousands of religious functionaries. The rich were the higher priests, bankers, and tax collectors; middle class was composed of common priests, shopkeepers, and traders; the poor were day laborers and slaves. At all stages of life, however, the people relied on the temple for finances, for trade, and for welfare assistance. Politically, the people were dominated by the Sanhedrin, the highest political body. There were 71 members headed by a high priest who was a Levite. He could enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the people. The other members were wealthy land owners, priests, and Levites. Below them were the chief priests, the Sadducees, who taught, managed temple finances, and made decisions based on the law. Ordinary priests, Sadducees, Pharisees, and scribes came next, followed by people who had roles of singers, guards, and doorkeepers. At all social, economic, and political points, however, the people were dependent upon the temple in all facets of their lives.

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  Deleted User

  Deleted User

  02/17/2022 at 21:47

  The temple was like a social network. Jewish life revolved around it. Within the temple people engaged in financial transactions, the poor received welfare assistance, boys were educated there, as well as the entire family engaged in corporate worship.

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• Discussion Forum

  How did onlookers react to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost? How did Peter respond? What was the outcome?

  Posted by Deleted User on 09/15/2021 at 11:30

  Deleted User replied 3 years, 3 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies

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  Deleted User

  Deleted User

  03/22/2022 at 15:43

  Acts tells us that the coming of the Holy spirit was a sound like the blowing of a violent wind from heaven. The 120 or so followers heard this noise and saw tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. They began to speak in tongues. A crowd gathered, and everyone heard them speaking in his own native language. They were amazed that Galileans could speak in so many tongues. They hear the message, understood it, and were able to carry it back to their own homes. When some in the crowd said that the followers were drunk, Peter defended the followers by announcing that it was only 9am so they couldn’t possibly be drunk. Peter preaches to the crowd from the Old Testament because he knew they would understood that. He then announced that the age of fulfillment had arrived, he reviewed the ministry, death, and triumph of Jesus, he cited OT scriptures to back up the claim that Jesus was the Messiah, and he called the people to repentance. About 8000 souls were baptized and converted, healings took place, and persecutions began. But the followers were on fire and they could not be stopped.

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  Deleted User

  Deleted User

  02/17/2022 at 21:41

  Because they heard foreign tongues spoken they responded in a manner of confusion and some even mocked them. Peter responded by pointing to prophecy that foretold of these occurrences. Because of this, more came to Christ.

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  Deleted User

  Deleted User

  09/16/2021 at 13:23

  They thought the people receiving the Holy Spirit were drunk. Peter explained that they were not drunk but spoke in each other’s languages as a sign of the infilling as mentioned in Joel’s prophecy. The onlookers felt convicted and asked what was required to be saved.

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