Many Christians say: “I never heard of the Talmud.”
Yes, but you probably have if you have read or heard the New Testament preached.
Actually, it is the doctrines and teachings of the Pharisees of the New Testament, and is called “the traditions of the elders,” Matthew 15:2, 6; Mark 7:3, 7, 8,13; Colossians 2:8; I Peter 1:18.
These teachings are still being used by those who call themselves “Jews” today, and which they consider to be their authoritative scriptures.
“The Talmud is, then, the written form of that which in the time of Jesus, was called the Traditions of the Elders.” — Rabbi Michael L. Rodkinson
and
“The Jewish religion as it is today traces its descent, without a break, through all the centuries, from the Pharisees.” — Universal Jewish Encyclopedia
What did Jesus say about the Talmud, the doctrines of the Pharisees?
Matthew chapter 23 is all about what Jesus taught concerning the Talmud, the doctrine of the Pharisees. In verse 15 He says: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”
Matthew 16:12: “Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”
Those who follow the doctrine of the Pharisees today are called “Jews,”
and are proselytes or descendants of proselytes. We must warn them to repent or suffer the same consequences that Jesus promised:
“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets and wise men, and scribes, and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them ye shall scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar,” Matthew 23:33-35.
“All these things” came upon that generation.
It is written for us as an example for those who reject Christ and follow the teachings of the Pharisees. Only the Truth in Jesus Christ will save them, and when it is preached many will turn from their wickedness, repent and be saved even as it did in New Testament times. Let us not join them in their sinful wickedness, but call them to repentance in Jesus Name.
For more information and the full text of the Talmud go to www.come-and-hear.com.