Overview

I. The historicalhistorical context

II. The religiousreligious context

III. The literaryliterary context

Galatians 4:4a

But when the fullness of the time

had come, God sent forth His Son

… (NKJV)

But when the right timethe right time came, God

sent his Son … (NLT)

The Historical Context

A. The time was right because of

Roman rulerule

1. The Romans brought rest

2. The Romans built roads

The Historical Context

B. The time was right because of

Greek languagelanguage

ONE WORLD ONE WORLD

ONE LANGUAGEONE LANGUAGEAlexander the GreatAlexander the Great

The Historical Context

C. The time was right because of

Jewish witnesswitness

1. They were scatteredscattered

2. They made settlementssettlements

3. They built synagoguessynagogues

4. They translated ScriptureScripture

The Historical Context

D. The time was right because of

Divine providenceprovidence

Daniel 2:20-22

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.

The Historical Context

D. The time was right because of

Divine providenceprovidence

1. God controls history

2. God uses evil people

3. God uses evil plans

Historical Review

The time was right because of …

• Roman rulerule

• Greek languagelanguage

• Jewish witnesswitness

• Divine providenceprovidence

The Religious Context

A. Palestine in the time of Christ was

a hotbed of conflict between sects

Acts 23:6

But when Paul perceived that one part

were Sadducees and the other

Pharisees, he cried out in the council,

“Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the

son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope

and resurrection of the dead I am being

judged!”

Acts 23:7, 8

And when he had said this, a dissension

arose between the Pharisees and the

Sadducees; and the assembly was

divided.

For SadduceesSadducees say that there is no

resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but

the Pharisees confess both.

Acts 23:9

Then there arose a loud outcry. And the

scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and

protested, saying, “We find no evil in this

man; but if a spirit or an angel has

spoken to him, let us not fight against

God.”

Acts 23:10

Now when there arose a great

dissension, the commander, fearing lest

Paul might be pulled to pieces by them,

commanded the soldiers to go down and

take him by force from among them, and

bring him into the barracks.

The Religious Context

1. Sadducees Wealthy priestsWealthy priests

Power politicsPower politics

Law onlyLaw only

LiberalsLiberals

The Religious Context

1. Sadducees

2. Essenes

MysticsMystics

AsceticsAscetics

Pray and Pray and

meditatemeditate

MonksMonks

The Religious Context

1. Sadducees

2. Essenes

3. Pharisees

Lay scholarsLay scholars

Bible studiesBible studies

Law & prophetsLaw & prophets

CharismaticsCharismatics

The Religious Context

1. Sadducees

2. Essenes

3. Pharisees

4. Zealots

Guerilla rebelsGuerilla rebels

Covert Covert

operationsoperations

MuslimsMuslims

The Historical Context

A. Palestine in the time of Christ was a

hotbed of conflict between sects

B. The sects were various attempts to

remain true to the Word of God in a

changing world

The Religious Context

1. Sadducees

Accept

The Religious Context

1. Sadducees

2. Essenes

Avoid

The Religious Context

1. Sadducees

2. Essenes

3. PhariseesAdapt

The Religious Context

1. Sadducees

2. Essenes

3. Pharisees

4. ZealotsAttack

The Historical Context

A. Palestine in the time of Christ was a hotbed

of conflict between sects

B. The sects were various attempts to remain

true to the Word of God in a changing world

C. Christians throughout history have used the

same four approaches to adapt to changes in

the world.

The Literary Context

1. Gospels Matt-JohnMatt-John

Biographies of Biographies of

life of Christlife of Christ

The Literary Context

1. Gospels

2. History

ActsActs

Mission of God Mission of God

thru the churchthru the church

The Literary Context

1. Gospels

2. History

3. Letters

Paul: Rom-PlmPaul: Rom-Plm

General: Heb-General: Heb-

JudeJude

Instructions in life Instructions in life

and doctrineand doctrine

The Literary Context

1. Gospels

2. History

3. Letters

4. Prophecy

RevelationRevelation

Faith for the Faith for the

futurefuture

Review

I. The historicalhistorical context

II. The religiousreligious context

III. The literaryliterary context

Questions for Discussion

1. Do you think God is controlling modern rulers and nations for His purposes as He controlled ancient kings like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar? How does this affect the way you see your government and your civil leaders?

Questions for Discussion

2. How does this study affect your

understanding of Jesus Christ as

“Lord of lords and King of kings”

(Rev 17:14 and 19:16)?

Questions for Discussion

3. How does this study of God’s

providence in ancient history make

you feel about the present sinful

world you live in?

Questions for Discussion

4. Which of the four approaches to

remaining true to the Word and the

Lord in our rapidly changing world

do you usually employ? Which one

do you believe is most biblical?