Modern Day Sadducees

In Jesus’ day there were two main factions in the Jewish religion.   Acts 23:8 describes the basic differences between them.  “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.”  The Pharisees accepted the scriptures at face value, believing they were a factual account of how the nation came to exist, and were to be followed implicitly.  The Sadducees viewed the scriptures as a mythological tradition that defined their culture.   For them, following the law was just about keeping their traditions alive. 

In II Timothy 3, Paul warned that in the last days, mankind would become increasingly ungodly, with little or no moral standards.  II Timothy 3:5 says many would be like the Sadducees, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof…”  While they maintain their religious traditions, that is all it is to them.  They don’t believe in a resurrection or eternal judgement, or that God’s commands are set in stone.  Public opinion and convenience are considered more important than God’s laws. 

II Timothy 3:5b-7 warns. “… from such turn away.  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  Because they don’t believe in an absolute standard, they are in a constant state of flux, never able to make a firm commitment despite the academic degrees they obtain.  Unfortunately, foolish and ignorant people are often deceived by their degrees and claims of superior knowledge, and many have become famous theologians.    

As Paul points out in I Corinthians 15:12-19, to claim to be a Christian teacher when one doesn’t believe the scriptures are true is deliberate fraud.  “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.  Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”  Christianity is based on the truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  If those are not true, Christianity is just one big fraud.   An honest man would not claim to be a Christian if he did not believe those things were true.  Only a con artist would deliberately involve himself he doesn’t believe is true. 

Fortunately, as I Corinthians 15:1-8 points out there is plenty of proof of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, giving a solid basis for believing what Christianity teaches, as I Corinthians 15:20-26 describes.  “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.  

And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.  Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?  And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.  If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.”

If Christianity is just a myth, then it makes no sense for anyone to claim to be a Christian or to risk their life for taking such a stand.  If Christ was not resurrected, he is just another dead man, like millions of others, and being baptized in his name means no more than being baptized an anybody else’s name.  The various martyrs wasted their time, and Paul wasted his time standing for the Gospel and being forced to fight for his life at Ephesus.  He would have been better off just to enjoy his life as much as he could knowing that as the saying goes, “we only go around once.” 

Fortunately, as Paul says, he knew the death, burial and resurrection were true, and so he was not afraid to stand for the gospel, but as he warns, associating with those who reject the truth may cause us to turn away.  I Corinthians 15:33-34 warns, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.”  It is a shame when those who claim to be Christians don’t even know what it means to be a Christian.