The Error of the Sadducees
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both (Acts 23:8 KJV).
The Sadducees were one of the main Jewish schools of thought during the Hellenistic and Roman eras. One of their fundamental doctrines was that there was no resurrection. Jesus corrected this doctrine when they directly confronted Him with this question in Mark 12:24 saying to them “ Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? “.
A similar foundational doctrine of theirs is mentioned in Acts 23:8 above. They believed that there is no angel or spirit. In essence, they believed there was nothing that is not physical and that everything in existence physical. This error continues to permeate our culture today. There is a spirit world, and that world has spirit beings with spiritual activity going on in spiritual places.
The first foundational error that perpetrates such a thought is that the spirit world is outside of the realm of perception of the natural senses, including bodily senses and mental faculties. However, there is something in us called the spirit that is able to contact that realm. God is spirit, and so are demonic spirits. Your edge in life as a Christian is your access to this world of the spirit. There is only so much that our physical abilities can accomplish. The future belongs to those who will reach beyond and tap into God’s resources in the spirit realm.
Life is more spiritual than many of us realize. The more you understand the spiritual side of seemingly normal daily events in life, the more real this truth will become to you. Learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit who is leading you in spiritual matters. If you do, you will certainly be a wonder to this generation.
MEDITATE
What did Jesus say was the cause of the error of the Sadducees in Mark 12:24 above?
APPLY THE WORD
Do not be a Sadducee in practice. Many Christians believe that there is a spirit world, but they live in practice as if all that there is in life is physical. Be in tune with the Spirit. Be sensitive to the Spirit. Be spiritual not only in thought but in practice.
PRAY
Ask the Lord to help you see and walk in the realities of the Spirit.
Free Mini E-book: From Spiritual Dryness to Flourishing
