Final answer:
The Pharisees played a role in shaping the religious context into which Christianity emerged. Early Christianity incorporated Pharisaic beliefs, such as the resurrection and the coming of a messiah, and transformed them, setting Christianity apart as a universal and proselytizing faith thanks to contributions from figures like St. Paul.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Pharisees were a Jewish sect during the time of Jesus who believed in life after death, awaited a messiah, and actively sought to convert people to Judaism. This set the stage for early Christians to later build upon these beliefs, particularly the notion of resurrection and the anticipation of a messiah. Early Christianity was significantly influenced by Pharisaic ideas, as it co-opted and transformed the Jewish expectation of a messiah into the spiritual savior role that Jesus is understood to have fulfilled. The universalism and proselytizing nature of Christianity, as influenced by St. Paul, were in contrast to some of the more exclusive views within Jewish tradition of that time.
Christianity diverged significantly in its belief that Jesus was the messiah, presenting a spiritual liberation rather than a political one, which was a point of departure from traditional Jewish expectations. Going beyond the confines of Jewish ethnicity, Christianity opened its doors to Gentiles as well, leading to questions within the early church regarding whether non-Jews could convert. St. Paul's contribution here was paramount as he advocated for the universal accessibility of Christian salvation, thereby shaping the inclusive nature of Christian identity.