Monday, November 09, 2009

New Testament Intersections 4: Community Rule

In three previous posts I have attempted to catalog intersections between Intertestamental literature and the New Testament, as well as some basics.

They are:
Most Apocrypha and Alexandrian Literature
Enochic Literature and 4QMMT
Covenant of Damascus

Here are some basics relating to the Community Rule (1QS) of the Dead Sea Scrolls:

Only known from Qumran:

Entry process
1. Examination (done yearly; 1QS 5)
2. One year trial (no communal meal)
3. Examination; property turned over
4. Additional year trial (no communal drink)
5. Examination; property absorbed

Structure
  • Guardian (1QS 6)
  • Council of Community (12 men and three priests; 1QS 7); at least one priest for 10 elders (1QS 6)
  • Interpreter of the Law (1QS 6, 8)
Possible NT Intersections
1. Sons of light and sons of darkness (cf. 1 Thess. 5:5; e.g., 1QS 1)

2. Belial cont (1QS 1).

3. Emphasis on perfect living (1QS 1); holiness in an ethical sense (e.g., 1QS 5)

4. Everlasting fire (1QS 2, 4; cf. Matt. 5, 13, 25)

5. Spirit of holiness (1QS 3, 4; cf. Rom. 1:3); Holy Spirit (1QS 8)

6. Sanctification, cleansing of sin by way of baptism (1QS 3)

7. God’s predestination of all things (1QS 3; cf. Rom. 9)

8. Two spirits, vice list proceeding from spirit of falsehood (1QS 4; cf. Gal. 5:9-21); evil inclination cont. (1QS 5)

9. Glory of Adam again (1QS 4)

10. Communal meal and drink (1QS 6; cf. Lord’s supper)

11. Communal holding of property (1QS 6; cf. Acts 2); lying in regard to property very serious (cf. Acts 5)

12. Council a “precious corner stone” (1QS 8; cf. 1 Peter 2:6)

13. Community in wilderness to “prepare the way of the Lord” (1QS 8, 9; cf. John the Baptist)

14. The Way again (1QS 9)

15. Now dual messiahs, one of Judah (king) and one of Aaron (priest); also a Prophet mentioned (1QS 9)

16. Mysteries again (1QS 9)

17. Category of salvation (1QS 10)

18. Category of justification (1QS 3, 11)

19. Righteousness of God as God’s mercy to justify (1QS 11; cf. Rom. 1:17)

20. Flesh as metaphor for humanness/sinfulness (1QS 11)

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