What influences did Judaism have on the development of early Christianity?

Answer 1

(This may not be all that organized -- I'm just collecting points. Hope it's clear)

The answer to this depends on what you mean by "Judaism". You're probably thinking of "rabbinic Judaism" (similar to modern day orthodox Judaism).

But actually that had not fully taken shape yet at the start of Christianity. And insofar as it DID exist, it was alongside other forms. Rabbinic Judaism only became fully established after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. In other words, both Christianity and what WE know as Judaism were taking shape at about the same time.

In that case it is a bit off for people to say that Christianity came OUT OF "Judaism". It would be more useful to say that BOTH were based on understandings of the Old Testament and how they expected those to be fulfilled (or thought they HAD been).

With that qualification, we can certainly see ways in which what Jews had been doing in their synagogues, and their practical and doctrinal issues DID affect early Christianity. For one thing, as we see from Paul's missionary journeys, the synagogues throughout the Roman Empire were the FIRST places he went with his message.. and what Jews had done in these cities, e.g., familiarizing people with biblical teachings and practices, helped "pave the way" for the early Christian preaching to GENTILES as well.

It's also worth noting that Christianity shared early Judaism's devotion to "the book". And they clearly shared some beliefs that other Jewish sects did not. (This is evident in a couple of New Testament episodes where we see that the Sadducees [the temple group] did not believe in the resurrection, whereas the Pharisees [rabbinic Jews] and Christians did.) It's not quite right to say that either borrowed these things from the other... better to say they had a common root.

Also worth considering is the fact the BOTH downplayed the role of the temple sacrificial system ... though the break from it was only complete (in BOTH cases, though perhaps esp. the Jewish) after the Temple was destroyed. This too encouraged more emphasis on the WORD of God.

Other connections are more complex, and not always positive (in reality, or in the opinion of at least one of the two groups). For instance, the Christian church began to bring in Gentiles as full members but WITHOUT circumcising them (as Jews always did), but rather through the rite of baptism. In the process they were beginning to define themselves over against followers of other Jewish sects (which is how the earliest Christianity was regarded), esp. since they connected baptism specifically with identifying people as followers of Jesus as the Christ.

Now there WAS a major debate in the early church about whether Gentiles DID need to be circumcised and continued to be some pressure from Jewish Christians to require this along with the dietary (kosher) laws. But the church eventually decided that none of these things were required to be a follower of Christ (though those of Jewish background might continue to practice such themselves).

The major Jewish feasts were also observed by many early Christians --esp. those of Jewish background-- at least as long as the Temple stood. So, for example, we see Christians in the New Testament observing "Pentecost" (= "the Feast of Weeks").

For that matter, something of the traditional Old Testament "Passover" was continued not only in the weekly communion meal but also in keeping the annual spring feast, though now with the added emphasis of celebrating the death and resurrection of Christ as fulfilling what the feast was about. (Note that the word for "Passover" is STILL used in many cultures for what English speakers now call "Easter".)

But this connection was weakened when the church decided to clearly distinguish their celebration by observing it ALWAYS on Sunday (our "Easter Sunday"), and to avoid it overlapping Passover on the Jewish calendar.

Many details are a bit obscure, like how and when the observance of the Jewish Sabbath gave way to the Sunday celebration. (There is some FIRST century evidence of this day being regarded as special as "the Lord's Day", because it was the day of Christ's resurrection, as well as of the church's "first Pentecost".)

Answer 2

Your question should really be "What influence did early Christianity have on Judaism?" because Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism - Christ and his disciples were Jews! It was just that the leaders did not like his teachings and he was ostracised from the Jewish Church. To partly answer your question, Judaism had a very large influence because apart from the Romans banning the teaching of Christianity,the Jewish faith banned it also, forcing it literally underground. This was the reason for Christians having to recognise one another by the sign of the fish. It obviously delayed the spread of the religion, whilst possibly stregthening the ties of those who were fighting to keep it going.

Answer 3

Well Judaism helped lay the ground work for the coming of Christ. It is taught that books of the Old Testement phrophicised about the coming of Christ, His persecution, and ultimaly His sacrifice for man kind. The New Testement is an addition to the Jewish Old Testement. Judaism is also the original ground works for the Muslim religion. The difference started with Abraham. He had a son out of wedlock named Ishmail and that is how the Muslim culture tracks their liniege. He also had a son while married named Issac. Issac is how the Jewish culture tracks the liniege. I hope this is helpful

Answer 4

Lots originally we were part of Judaism and separated after Paul converted non Jews. Passover is the meal and celebration that Jesus celebrated with his disciples.

Answer 5

One concept is the passover feast-
Similiar Christian celebration is the Lords Table

Answer 6

Christians believe in judaism.......isnt the old testament a jewish book??? Also Jesus was jewish who got the revelation regarding christianity...........thus he was the messiah for the jews........so they are both intertwined.