Essenic Philosophy and its parallels ... Kersey Graves


	Essenic Philosophy
A tabulation of some of the essential parallels between the philosophy of the Essenes and Constantine's New testament.
Web Publication by Mountain Man Graphics, Australia

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Introduction

Essenic Philosophy and its Parallels ...

"The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors"

The author presents the Essene philosophical writings as being "condensed from Philo, Josephus, and other authors.". The tabulation follows:

Essene
Constantinian
Philo says, "It is our first duty to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness;" so the Essenes believed and taught. "Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all else shall be added (Matt. vi 33; Luke xii. 31.)
Philo says, "They abjured all amusements, all elegances, and all pleasures of the senses. "Forsake the world and the things thereof."
The Essenes say, "Lay up nothing on earth, but fix your mind solely on heaven." "Lay not up treasures on earth," &c.
"The Essenes, having laid aside all the anxieties of life," says Philo, "and leaving society, they make their residence in solitary wilds and in gardens." "They wander in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth." (Heb. xi. 38.)
Josephus says, "They neither buy nor sell among themselves, but give of what they have to him that wanteth." "And parted them (their goods) to all men as every man had need." (Acts ii. 45.)
Eusebius says, "Even as it is related in the Acts of the Apostles, all (the Essenes) were wont to sell their possessions and their substance, and divide among all according as any one had need so that there was not one among them in want." "Neither was their any among them that lacked, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the price of the things that were sold, &c. (Acts iv. 34.)
Eusebius says, "For whoever, of Christ's disciples, were owners of estates or houses, sold them, and brought the price thereof, and laid them at the apostles' feet, and distribution was made as every one had need. So Philo relates things exactly similar of the Essenes." (The text above quoted.)
"Philo tells us (says Eusebius) that the Essenes forsook father, mother, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, for their religion." "Whosoever forsaketh not father and mother, houses and lands, &c. cannot be my disciples."
"Their being sometimes called monks was owing to their abstraction from the world," says Eusebius. "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." (John xvii. 16.)
"And the name Ascetics was applied to them on account of their rigid discipline, their prayers, fasting, self-mortification, &c., as they made themselves eunuchs." "There be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake."
"They maintained a perfect community of goods, and an equality of external rank." (Mich. vol. iv. p. 83.) "Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." (Matt. xx. 27.)
"The Essenes had all things in common, and appointed one of their number to manage the common bag." (Dr. Ginsburg.) "And had all things in common." (Acts ii. 44; see also Acts iv. 32.)
"All ornamental dress they (Essenes) detested." (Mich. vol. iv. p. 83.) Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, and putting on of apparel." (i Peter iii. 3.)
"They would call no man master." (Mich.) "Be not called Rabbi, for one is your Master." (Matt. xxiii. 8.)
"They said the Creator made all mankind equal." (Mich.) "God hath made of one blood all them that dwell upon the earth."
"They renounced oaths, saying, He who cannot be believed with out swearing is condemned already." (Mich.) "Swear not at all."
"They would not eat anything which had blood in it, or meat which had been offered to idols. Their food was hyssop, and bread, and salt; and water their only drink." (Mich.) "That ye abstain from meat offered to idols, and from blood." (Acts xv. 29.)
"Take nothing with them, neither meat or drink, nor anything necessary for the wants of the body." "Take nothing for your journey; neither staves nor script; neither bread, neither money, neither have two coats apiece."
"They expounded the literal sense of the Holy Scriptures by allegory." "Which things are an allegory." (Gal. iv. 24.)
"They abjured the pleasures of the body, not desiring mortal offspring, and they renounced marriage, believing it to be detrimental to a holy life." (Mich.) It will be recollected that neither Jesus nor Paul ever married, and that they discouraged the marriage relation. Christ says, "They that shall be counted worthy of that world and the resurrection neither marry nor are given in marriage." And Paul says, "The unmarried careth for the things of the Lord." (i Cor. vii. 32.)
"They strove to disengage their minds entirely from the world." "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
"Devoting themselves to the Lord, they provide not for future subsistence." "Take no thought for the morrow, what ye shall eat and drink," &c.
"Regarding the body as a prison, they were ashamed to give it sustenance." (c. ii. 71.) "Who shall change our vile bodies?" (Phil. iii. 21.)
"They spent nearly all their time in silent meditation and inward prayer." (c. ii. 71.) "Men ought always to pray." (Luke xviii. 1.) "Pray without ceasing." (i Thess. v. 17.)
"Believing the poor were the Lord's favorites, they vowed perpetual chastity and poverty." (C. ii. 7.) "Blessed be ye poor." (Luke vi. 20.) "Hath not God chosen the poor?" (James ii. 5.)
"They devoted themselves entirely to contemplation in divine things." (c. ii. 71.) "Mediate upon these (divine) things; give thyself wholly to them." (i Tim. iv. 15.)
"They fasted often, sometimes tasting food but once in three or even six days." Christ's disciples were "in fastings often." (2 Cor. xi. 27; see also v. 34.)
"They offered no sacrifices, believing that a serious and devout soul was most acceptable." (c. ii. 71.) "There is no more offering for sin." (Heb. x. 18.)
"They believed in and practiced baptizing the dead."(C. ii. 71.) "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead." (i Cor. XV. 29.)
"They gave a mystical sense to the Scriptures, disregarding the letter." "The letter killeth, but the spirit maketh alive." (i Cor. iii. 6.)
"They taught by metaphors, symbols, and parables." "Without a parable spake he not unto them." (Matt. xiii. 34.)
"They had many mysteries in their religion which they were sworn to keep secret." "To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom; to them it is not given." (Matt. xiii. 11.) "Great is the mystery of godliness."
"They had in their churches, bishops, elders, deacons, and priests." "Ordain elders in every church." (Acts xiv. 23.) For "deacons," see i Tim. iii. 1.
"When assembled together they would often sing psalms." "Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms." (Col. iii. 16.)
"They healed and cured the minds and bodies of those who joined them." "Healing all manner of sickness," &c. (Matt. iv. 23.)
"They practiced certain ceremonial purifications by water." "The accomplishment of the days of purification." (Acts xxi. 26.)
"They assembled at the Sabbath festivals clothed in white garments." "Shall be clothed in white garments." (Rev. iii. 4.)
"They disbelieved in the resurrection of the external body." "It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." (i Cor. xv. 44.)
Pliny says, "They were the only sort of men who lived without money and without women." "The love of money is the root of all evil." (i Tim. vi. 10.) Christ's disciples travelled without money and without scrip, and "eschew the lusts of the flesh."
"They practiced the extremist charity to the poor." (C. ii. 71.) "Bestow all thy goods to feed the poor." (i Cor. xiii. 3.)
"They were skillful in interpreting dreams, and in foretelling future events." "Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream dreams." (Acts ii. 17.)
"They believed in a paradise, and in a place of never- ending lamentations." "Life everlasting." (Gal. viii. 8.) "Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. xiii. 42.)
"They affirmed," says Josephus, "that God foreordained all the events of human life." "Foreordained before the foundation of the world." (i Peter.)
"They believed in Mediators between God and the souls of men." "One Mediator between God and men." (i Tim. ii. 5.)
"They practiced the pantomimic representation of the death, burial, and resurrection of God " -- Christ the Spirit. With respect to the death, burial, resurrection of Christ, see i Cor. xv. 4.
"They inculcated the forgiveness of injuries." "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke xxiii. 34.)
"They totally disapproved of all war." "If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight." (John xviii. 36.)
"They inculcated obedience to magistrates, and to the civil authorities." "Obey them which have the rule over you." (Heb. xiii. 17; xxvi. 65.)
"They retired within themselves to receive interior revelations of divine truth." (C. ii. 71.) "Every one of you hath a revelation." (i Cor. xiv. 26.)
"They were scrupulous in speaking the truth." "Speaking all things in truth." (2 Cor. vii. 14.)
"They perform many wonderful miracles." Many texts teach us that Christ and his apostles did the same.
Essenism put all its members upon the same level, forbidding the exercise of authority of one over another." (Dr. Ginsburg.) Christ did the same. For proof, see Matt. xx. 25; Mark ix. 35.
"Essenism laid the greatest stress on being meek and lowly in spirit." (Dr. Ginsburg.) See Matt. v. 5; ix. 28.
"The Essenes commended the poor in spirit, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and the merciful, and the pure in heart." (Dr Ginsburg.) For proof that Christ did the same, see Matt.
"The Essenes commended the peacemakers." (Dr. Ginsburg.) "Blessed are the peacemakers."
"The Essenes declared their disciples must cast out evil spirits, and perform miraculous cures, as signs and proof of their faith." (Dr. Ginsburg.) Christ's disciples were to cast out devils, heal the sick, and raise the dead, &c., as signs and proof of their faith. (Mark xvi. 17.)
"They sacrificed the lusts of the flesh to gain spiritual happiness." "You abstain from fleshly lusts." (i Peter ii. 11.)
"The breaking of bread was a veritable ordinance among the Essenes." "He (Jesus) took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it." (Luke xxii. 19.)
"The Essenes enjoined the loving of enemies." (Philo.) So did Christ say, "Love your enemies," &c.
The Essenes enjoined, "Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you." The Confucian golden rule, as taught by Christ.

Essene	Constantinian
Philo says, "It is our first duty to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness;" so the Essenes believed and taught.	"Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all else shall be added (Matt. vi 33; Luke xii. 31.)
Philo says, "They abjured all amusements, all elegances, and all pleasures of the senses.	"Forsake the world and the things thereof."
The Essenes say, "Lay up nothing on earth, but fix your mind solely on heaven."	"Lay not up treasures on earth," &c.
"The Essenes, having laid aside all the anxieties of life," says Philo, "and leaving society, they make their residence in solitary wilds and in gardens."	"They wander in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth." (Heb. xi. 38.)
Josephus says, "They neither buy nor sell among themselves, but give of what they have to him that wanteth."	"And parted them (their goods) to all men as every man had need." (Acts ii. 45.)
Eusebius says, "Even as it is related in the Acts of the Apostles, all (the Essenes) were wont to sell their possessions and their substance, and divide among all according as any one had need so that there was not one among them in want."	"Neither was their any among them that lacked, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the price of the things that were sold, &c. (Acts iv. 34.)
Eusebius says, "For whoever, of Christ's disciples, were owners of estates or houses, sold them, and brought the price thereof, and laid them at the apostles' feet, and distribution was made as every one had need. So Philo relates things exactly similar of the Essenes."	(The text above quoted.)
"Philo tells us (says Eusebius) that the Essenes forsook father, mother, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, for their religion."	"Whosoever forsaketh not father and mother, houses and lands, &c. cannot be my disciples."
"Their being sometimes called monks was owing to their abstraction from the world," says Eusebius.	"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." (John xvii. 16.)
"And the name Ascetics was applied to them on account of their rigid discipline, their prayers, fasting, self-mortification, &c., as they made themselves eunuchs."	"There be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake."
"They maintained a perfect community of goods, and an equality of external rank." (Mich. vol. iv. p. 83.)	"Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." (Matt. xx. 27.)
"The Essenes had all things in common, and appointed one of their number to manage the common bag." (Dr. Ginsburg.)	"And had all things in common." (Acts ii. 44; see also Acts iv. 32.)
"All ornamental dress they (Essenes) detested." (Mich. vol. iv. p. 83.)	Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, and putting on of apparel." (i Peter iii. 3.)
"They would call no man master." (Mich.)	"Be not called Rabbi, for one is your Master." (Matt. xxiii. 8.)
"They said the Creator made all mankind equal." (Mich.)	"God hath made of one blood all them that dwell upon the earth."
"They renounced oaths, saying, He who cannot be believed with out swearing is condemned already." (Mich.)	"Swear not at all."
"They would not eat anything which had blood in it, or meat which had been offered to idols. Their food was hyssop, and bread, and salt; and water their only drink." (Mich.)	"That ye abstain from meat offered to idols, and from blood." (Acts xv. 29.)
"Take nothing with them, neither meat or drink, nor anything necessary for the wants of the body."	"Take nothing for your journey; neither staves nor script; neither bread, neither money, neither have two coats apiece."
"They expounded the literal sense of the Holy Scriptures by allegory."	"Which things are an allegory." (Gal. iv. 24.)
"They abjured the pleasures of the body, not desiring mortal offspring, and they renounced marriage, believing it to be detrimental to a holy life." (Mich.)	It will be recollected that neither Jesus nor Paul ever married, and that they discouraged the marriage relation. Christ says, "They that shall be counted worthy of that world and the resurrection neither marry nor are given in marriage." And Paul says, "The unmarried careth for the things of the Lord." (i Cor. vii. 32.)
"They strove to disengage their minds entirely from the world."	"If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
"Devoting themselves to the Lord, they provide not for future subsistence."	"Take no thought for the morrow, what ye shall eat and drink," &c.
"Regarding the body as a prison, they were ashamed to give it sustenance." (c. ii. 71.)	"Who shall change our vile bodies?" (Phil. iii. 21.)
"They spent nearly all their time in silent meditation and inward prayer." (c. ii. 71.)	"Men ought always to pray." (Luke xviii. 1.) "Pray without ceasing." (i Thess. v. 17.)
"Believing the poor were the Lord's favorites, they vowed perpetual chastity and poverty." (C. ii. 7.)	"Blessed be ye poor." (Luke vi. 20.) "Hath not God chosen the poor?" (James ii. 5.)
"They devoted themselves entirely to contemplation in divine things." (c. ii. 71.)	"Mediate upon these (divine) things; give thyself wholly to them." (i Tim. iv. 15.)
"They fasted often, sometimes tasting food but once in three or even six days."	Christ's disciples were "in fastings often." (2 Cor. xi. 27; see also v. 34.)
"They offered no sacrifices, believing that a serious and devout soul was most acceptable." (c. ii. 71.)	"There is no more offering for sin." (Heb. x. 18.)
"They believed in and practiced baptizing the dead."(C. ii. 71.)	"Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead." (i Cor. XV. 29.)
"They gave a mystical sense to the Scriptures, disregarding the letter."	"The letter killeth, but the spirit maketh alive." (i Cor. iii. 6.)
"They taught by metaphors, symbols, and parables."	"Without a parable spake he not unto them." (Matt. xiii. 34.)
"They had many mysteries in their religion which they were sworn to keep secret."	"To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom; to them it is not given." (Matt. xiii. 11.) "Great is the mystery of godliness."
"They had in their churches, bishops, elders, deacons, and priests."	"Ordain elders in every church." (Acts xiv. 23.) For "deacons," see i Tim. iii. 1.
"When assembled together they would often sing psalms."	"Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms." (Col. iii. 16.)
"They healed and cured the minds and bodies of those who joined them."	"Healing all manner of sickness," &c. (Matt. iv. 23.)
"They practiced certain ceremonial purifications by water."	"The accomplishment of the days of purification." (Acts xxi. 26.)
"They assembled at the Sabbath festivals clothed in white garments."	"Shall be clothed in white garments." (Rev. iii. 4.)
"They disbelieved in the resurrection of the external body."	"It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." (i Cor. xv. 44.)
Pliny says, "They were the only sort of men who lived without money and without women."	"The love of money is the root of all evil." (i Tim. vi. 10.) Christ's disciples travelled without money and without scrip, and "eschew the lusts of the flesh."
"They practiced the extremist charity to the poor." (C. ii. 71.)	"Bestow all thy goods to feed the poor." (i Cor. xiii. 3.)
"They were skillful in interpreting dreams, and in foretelling future events."	"Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream dreams." (Acts ii. 17.)
"They believed in a paradise, and in a place of never- ending lamentations."	"Life everlasting." (Gal. viii. 8.) "Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. xiii. 42.)
"They affirmed," says Josephus, "that God foreordained all the events of human life."	"Foreordained before the foundation of the world." (i Peter.)
"They believed in Mediators between God and the souls of men."	"One Mediator between God and men." (i Tim. ii. 5.)
"They practiced the pantomimic representation of the death, burial, and resurrection of God " -- Christ the Spirit.	With respect to the death, burial, resurrection of Christ, see i Cor. xv. 4.
"They inculcated the forgiveness of injuries."	"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke xxiii. 34.)
"They totally disapproved of all war."	"If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight." (John xviii. 36.)
"They inculcated obedience to magistrates, and to the civil authorities."	"Obey them which have the rule over you." (Heb. xiii. 17; xxvi. 65.)
"They retired within themselves to receive interior revelations of divine truth." (C. ii. 71.)	"Every one of you hath a revelation." (i Cor. xiv. 26.)
"They were scrupulous in speaking the truth."	"Speaking all things in truth." (2 Cor. vii. 14.)
"They perform many wonderful miracles."	Many texts teach us that Christ and his apostles did the same.
Essenism put all its members upon the same level, forbidding the exercise of authority of one over another." (Dr. Ginsburg.)	Christ did the same. For proof, see Matt. xx. 25; Mark ix. 35.
"Essenism laid the greatest stress on being meek and lowly in spirit." (Dr. Ginsburg.)	See Matt. v. 5; ix. 28.
"The Essenes commended the poor in spirit, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and the merciful, and the pure in heart." (Dr Ginsburg.)	For proof that Christ did the same, see Matt.
"The Essenes commended the peacemakers." (Dr. Ginsburg.)	"Blessed are the peacemakers."
"The Essenes declared their disciples must cast out evil spirits, and perform miraculous cures, as signs and proof of their faith." (Dr. Ginsburg.)	Christ's disciples were to cast out devils, heal the sick, and raise the dead, &c., as signs and proof of their faith. (Mark xvi. 17.)
"They sacrificed the lusts of the flesh to gain spiritual happiness."	"You abstain from fleshly lusts." (i Peter ii. 11.)
"The breaking of bread was a veritable ordinance among the Essenes."	"He (Jesus) took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it." (Luke xxii. 19.)
"The Essenes enjoined the loving of enemies." (Philo.)	So did Christ say, "Love your enemies," &c.
The Essenes enjoined, "Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you."	The Confucian golden rule, as taught by Christ.

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Essenic Philosophy

A tabulation of some of the essential parallels between the philosophy of the Essenes and Constantine's New testament.

Web Publication by Mountain Man Graphics, Australia

Introduction

Essenic Philosophy and its Parallels ...

Essene

Constantinian

A tabulation of some of the essential parallels
between the philosophy of the Essenes
and Constantine's New testament.