Expert: Brenda Martin - 2/11/2003

Question
What were the origins of Christian anti-Jewish sentiment?

Answer
WHAT WERE THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTIAN ANTI-JEWISH SENTIMENT?

By the first century C.E., Israel was under Roman rule, and Judaism, the Jewish religious system, was by and large in the oppressive grip of such leaders as the scribes and Pharisees. (Matthew 23:2-4) These fanatic leaders took the Mosaic Law's precepts regarding separateness from the nations and twisted them to require disdain for non-Jews. In the process, they produced a religion that engendered hatred for Gentiles and, in turn, elicited hatred from Gentiles. Through the influence of their leaders, the Jews developed an aloofness and a rigid exclusiveness.—Compare John 4:9.

The Jews were God's chosen people but they failed time and time again to do as they were commanded. When Jesus came to the earth the Jews, as a nation were given their final chance to change their ways but they refused. Jesus established the first century Christian congregation and it was opened to all, both Jew and non-Jew.

Paul wrote his letter to the Hebrews about 61 C.E. The Jewish community in Jerusalem and Judea viewed the fledgling Christian congregation with contempt. Judging from the content of Paul's letter, we get some idea of the taunts that the arrogant Jewish religious leaders and their followers directed at the Christians. They may, in effect, have said: ‘We have the great temple in Jerusalem, standing for centuries! We have a noble high priest officiating there, along with his under priests. Sacrifices are offered daily. We have the Law, transmitted by angels to Moses and established with great signs upon Mount Sinai. This upstart sect, these Christians, who have apostatized from Judaism, they have none of these things!

The Jewish religious leaders, by lying propaganda, had done everything they could to stir up hatred against Christ's followers. Their determination to fight Christianity with every possible weapon is demonstrated by their actions, as recorded in Acts 22:22; 23:12-15, 23, 24; 24:1-4; 25:1-3. They and their supporters constantly harassed the Christians, evidently using arguments in an effort to break their loyalty to Christ.

At that time Judaism had much to offer in the way of tangible, material things and outward appearance. The Jews might say that these things proved Judaism superior and Christianity foolish. Why, they had told Jesus that the nation had as their father Abraham, to whom the promises were given. (Joh 8:33, 39) Moses, to whom God spoke “mouth to mouth,” was God's great servant and prophet. (Nu 12:7, 8) The Jews had the Law and the words of the prophets from the beginning. ‘Did not this very antiquity establish Judaism as the true religion?' they might ask. At the inaugurating of the Law covenant, God had spoken by means of angels; in fact, the Law was transmitted through angels by the hand of the mediator Moses. (Ac 7:53; Ga 3:19) On this occasion God had given a fear-inspiring demonstration of power in shaking Mount Sinai; the loud sound of a horn, smoke, thunder, and lightning accompanied the glorious display.—Ex 19:16-19; 20:18; Heb 12:18-21.

The plain and simple truth is the Jews lost the privelege of being God's chosen nation, it was taken away from them and given to those who were willing to obey God,hence the divide.

I hope this answers your questions and all the best thanks brenda