Pharisees The Pharisees were a deeply religious political interest group that flourished in Palestine during the latter part of the Second Temple period (515 bce “70 ce).1 Pharisees believed it was God's will to live in the world in which God has placed them.2 They were firm believers in revelation and the authority of the law, considered by most to be morally pure and zealous for their beliefs. However, they were opinionated and intolerant toward anyone who thought differently than they did. Pharisees believed in God's providence, but also in human responsibility. They held strong in their beliefs regarding the authority of oral tradition as well as the resurrection of the spirit. We could best describe the Pharisees as: self-righteous, argumentative, money and power hungry, upper-class national loyalists,3 comparable to the liberals of today. Sadducees The Sadducees were a fairly small political interest group, who attained power only occasionally through a high level official. Sadducees held control of the priesthood during the Apostolic Time. They favored the status quo. Sadducees differed rather drastically in their beliefs compared to the Pharisees. Sadducees believed there was no divine providence. They believed in free will, and opposed the idea of resurrection. Sadducees accepted the authority of only written law.3 The Sadducees could be distinguished by their cold, aristocratic deminure. Comparable to the conservative party of today. Essenes Essenes people lived in private communities. Their main belief was that fate governs all things and nothing befalls men but what is determined. They believed in Armageddon and thought that souls were set free in death. They revered the law of Moses and had great respect for their elders. Essenes advocated strict dietary laws, celibacy, and ritualistic baths as part of their religious practices.3 Initiation into the group required a three year probation period; first year initiates li