THOSE PHARISEES - The Pharisees were so blinded by their arrogance that they couldn't believe anyone who hadn't been through their 'seminary' could teach them anything. The Pharisees were patriots as well as religious zealots, who in the beginning served a very needed function in the Jewish nation which was struggling for survival. Over the centuries the Pharisees had departed from the Mosaic law and had written their own interpretations of the law - interpretations which they held to be God-inspired and equal to that of Moses. In Jesus' day this group was characterized by hypocrisy and self-righteousness.

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About Those Pharisees
Andrew Wommack



'They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.' - JOHN 9:34



Much of the Pharisees' problem was spiritual pride, as is very evident by this statement. 

They were so blinded by their arrogance that they couldn't believe anyone who hadn't been through their 'seminary' could teach them anything.

The name 'Pharisees' comes from a Hebrew word meaning 'separate.' 

This term was applied to this sect because of its extreme devotion to the Mosaic law and commitment to leading a separated life. 

This was a reaction of the devout Jews who came back to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity, and saw the pagan customs and influences of the Babylonians everywhere. 

Not only their religion but their identity as a nation was being threatened. 

The Pharisees were patriots as well as religious zealots, who in the beginning served a very needed function in the Jewish nation which was struggling for survival. 

However, over the centuries the Pharisees had departed from the Mosaic law and had written their own interpretations of the law - interpretations which they held to be God-inspired and equal to that of Moses. 

In Jesus' day this group was characterized by hypocrisy and self-righteousness. 

They, as a whole, persecuted Jesus and His followers and received the Lord's most stinging rebukes.

The Pharisees, like many people today, were ignorant of achieving right standing (righteousness) with God through the simple act of receiving His forgiveness by faith and were trying to earn salvation by their own acts. 

No one can fulfill God's commands (Romans 3:23) except Jesus (Hebrews 4:15). 

Therefore, to be righteous, we must put our faith in what He has done for us.

Andrew Wommack was born again at just eight years old. Although he avoided the rebellious phase often associated with adolescence, he believed that through his own righteousness, he could develop a relationship with the Lord. But then, on March 23, 1968, everything changed. Andrew realized that he had fallen into the bondage of legalism and self-righteousness, much like the Pharisees whom Jesus rebuked. Expecting the wrath of God to fall on him, Andrew was surprised to feel God’s presence flood him with love instead. “God’s love consumed me,” he says. “When I was at my worst, God’s love was the strongest.” This encounter forever changed the way he saw God and put Andrew on a path to change the way others saw Him. However, shortly after, he was drafted into the Army and shipped to Vietnam. Despite how difficult and dangerous things were on the front lines, God used that time to ground Andrew in His Word, and he returned to America stronger in his walk than ever.
Andrew submitted to the call of God to be a teacher of the Word. He and Jamie were married in 1972, and together they began teaching Bible studies. Over the next six years, they would pastor three small churches and complete their family with two sons, Joshua and Jonathan Peter.
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