Pharisees, Sadducees, and Publicans
In the days of our Lord, these three groups were very prominent in everyday life. Jesus, and the Disciples dealt with them daily. Though they now have different names, they are present today in our churches and we, as Christians, must deal with them every day.
Pharisees: The Pharisees were very conservative. They followed the strict adherence to their Scripture (as they interpreted it) and believed themselves to be Holy therefore. Quick to see the sin of others and quick to rationalize their own. Many were quite devout, though deceived. Like Saul of Tarsus and Nicodemus. Many Pharisees converted to the Way after Pentecost (more on that later).
Sadducees: Devout in their religion, though liberal in its practice. They denied the Prophets, accepting only the Books of Moses as Scriptural. They also denied all aspects of the Spirit (angels, demons, etc.) and they did not believe in a resurrection of the dead. Theirs was a logical, studied, faith. Reason ruled their theology, and debate shaped their teachings. Few Sadducees became Christians, (though Thomas may have been a Sadducee) to them the doctrine of the Resurrection was indeed foolishness. But their influence was felt on the early church and also today.
Publicans: When we think of Publicans, we think 'Tax Collector'. A more appropriate analogy would be a bureaucrat. These were Jews who worked for the Roman Government (many aquired Roman Citizenship) as part of the administration of the Province of Judah. Yes some were tax collectors, like Matthew, and all enjoyed privilege beyond that available to the common Jew under occupation. They were mostly non-religious self promoters, more concerned with the cares of this life (and improving their status here) than in the hereafter. Many were probably 'observant' to Temple Worship but only because it was expediant to be so. After all, they were walking a thin line between the occupiers and the occupied. They wanted to look good to both.
Romans, Greeks, et. al.: We can not forget the "lost" of the day. They had no real concept of the GOD of Abraham or His coming Messiah. Some were pagan, some atheist, some even dabbled in the Scripture. But they were basically outside of the congregation of the Temple, the Church of the day. Yet these are the ones that would have their hearts set afire with the Gospel of Christ and would begin the Christian Era.
Notice anyone you know in the list above?... Our churches are full of them, as is our society. How about some modern descriptions.
Pharisee: You know, that Holier than thou 'let me tell you how to live' type in the pew over there. That Baptist brother that wants to show you how that long hair is a sin, and pray for you (since God won't hear your prayers in you're sinful, loud music, tongue speaking state). Or that beloved, Spirit filled sister over there who has a word from God, just for you, on every topic from your budget to the clothes you wear (and you better listen or you'll be out of 'the will', even if you think GOD is telling you something else) Starting to get the idea? They are in every church, every denomination, and they have Scripture to back them up (even if they have to misquote it). Jesus said "Beware the leaven of the Pharisees" and that ain't no misquote.
Sadducees: These are a little harder to spot. They blend in to the crowd. You have to look closely at their walk and listen real hard when they talk. Of these Jesus said "they have a name of being alive, but are dead" They come to church every week, sit on boards, sing in the choir, stand in the pulpit, tithe, work at the soup kitchen, and on and on. Yet, something is missing. They are not saved !!! They have no real relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, they have a religion. Some show themselves in their doctrine, like Marcus Borg and others who deny the Lord while calling themselves "Bible Scholars". They profess to be Christian and deny salvation. Religion devoid of Spirit.
Publicans: Most western Christians fall into this catagory. They attend worship when it is convenient, or on special days (and funerals). They are not real dogmatic, they just are not that interested. They like to hear the choir sing at Christmas, see their kids in the Christmas play, and get a visit from the pastor when they are sick. But they are too busy with their lives, and careers, to get very involved in church. They have other priorities, they'll do the church thing later (when the kids are grown, the morgage is payed off, the big promotion comes).
So what of the Romans? Look around. A whole generation is growing up without ever setting foot in a church of any kind. New Age (old religion) is a pop fad. More than 160,000,000 NON-CHRISTIANs live in the US, making us the fourth largest mission field in the world ! We are knee deep in the lost and are so busy with 'church stuff' we can't see it. ((Remember who began the Christian Era?)) Pharisees, Sadducees, and Publicans are hard to reach, they already know the Gospel. The lost are searching. They are hungry for the Bread of Life.
I'm not writing off the church, or organized religion. There is still some life there. Remember Saul of Tarsus, the Pharisee of the Pharisees? Matthew the Publican? And of course 'Doubting Thomas'. Remember the old saying "Where there is life there is hope" and Jesus is the Way the Truth and the LIFE.