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Introduction to Patronage and Reciprocity

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In ancient Mediterranean culture, patrons were people with power who could provide goods and services not available to their clients. In return, clients provided loyalty and honor to their patron. This socio-economic system pervaded many areas of everyday life and was also the way that people understood their relationship with God (or the gods). This cultural perspective is very important for understanding the Gospels as well as the letters of Paul. The concept of “grace” was not exclusively a religious term in the first century like it is often used today, but indicated a patron’s gift to the client. The free gift of grace was understood to carry with it the obligation for the client to return gratitude through loyalty and honor in order to continue the relationship. The Apostolic Writings inform us that Yeshua has become our patron and is also the broker to the more powerful patron, YHWH. His gift of grace to us is eternal life, but as faithful clients, what is to be our response of gratitude? In this 1.5 hour teaching, Rico Cortes will show that the Scriptures truly teach that it is not what you know, but who you know!

This teaching is approximately 1.5 hours in length.