Functions in the Early Church and the Synagogue

As the body of believers was entirely Jewish for about the first ten years (until the conversion of Cornelius), there was no immediate split from the synagogue. And when Christian congregations were later formed, their organization was quite similar to that of the synagogue. Indeed, both were patterned after the same plan. The correlating of the primary functions of each shows this.

What I have here comes in large part from three courses taught by Dr. Ron Moseley. The functions of the early church are taken from Paul’s writing. Much is known of the synagogue, primarily, I imagine, from the Talmud.
　
Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers and Pastors

I Cor 12:28-30
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
KJV

Eph 4:11-12
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
KJV

Apostle = Shaliach. The Shaliach was the public announcer, the one sent forth to announce. As Pharisees ran the synagogues, by and large, and Pharisees were Judaism’s proselytizing sect, these men would be sent out by the synagogue for a specific purpose and were to report back. Paul and Barnabus’s relationship with the Antioch church would fit right in.

Evangelist = Maggid. The Maggid was an individual who operated within the framework of the synagogue, but outside the local congregation. The word itself means "to tell", and he would travel from place to place speaking in the various synagogues. He was not tied to any congregation by office or position. Perhaps in Romans 15 Paul was commenting on the difference between Apostle and Evangelist.
　
Rom 15:20
20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
KJV
　
Prophet = Rabbi (or Roz). This was not the foretelling prophet of the Old Testament, but one who merely read and spoke the Word of God. His responsibility was to know the scriptures (and since they were generally Pharisees, the so-called Oral Law as well) and interpret them correctly. The Rabbi may have operated within several synagogues.

Teachers = Batlanim. These were men who had to have the financial means to devote a great deal of time to study. Any congregation with 120 members or more was expected to have at least ten of these.

Pastor. This word means "shepherd." Pastor has become a blend of various functions. More on this later.
　
Elders, Bishops, and Deacons

Titus 1:5-9
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
KJV

1 Tim 3:1-3
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
KJV

1 Tim 3:8-13
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
KJV

Elder = Zakin. The word means "old," but refers not just to age but to maturity. The elder’s role was to "feed the flock," by example, though, not by exercising authority. Originally Pastor and Elder were synonymous.

Bishop = Chazan. Apparently, considering the wording in Titus 1, Bishop and Elder were also synonymous at first. (Though, maybe not.) But the Greek word for Bishop actually means "overseer," and that’s the way it’s been commonly used for quite a while. But the synagogue had an overseer, the Chazan. He was called the overseer because he stood beside the one reading and oversaw things. As well, one of his duties was to select the seven men to read during the service.

Deacon = Parnas (or Gabbay Tzedikah). These men were responsible for distributing alms within the congregation as well as performing other duties that we associate with deacons.

They were expected to be scholars, able to explain questions about the Torah.
　
Presidents, Rulers, and Other Leaders

President = Nasi (or, perhaps, Hanasi). This was an office in the first century synagogue that is not specifically mentioned in the New Testament. This man was the head of the synagogue and was in full charge of the services. He was generally not a Rabbi, but, most likely, a skilled administrator. Today, in the church, this position would be called Pastor. However, as late as 150 AD, the head of a Christian congregation was still referred to as President by Justin Martyr. James, the brother of Jesus, was the Nasi or President of the Jerusalem congregation. After he was martyred, Simon, son of Cleophas and a cousin of Jesus, succeeded him.

Judges.

In synagogues the Nasi and two other trusted leaders were ordained to judge civil matters. (Stripes were one possible judgment these men were able to order. And when they did, the actual scourging was carried out by one called the Nassan,) Did the congregation in Corinth have something like set up that was being ignored?

1 Cor 6:1-6
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
KJV

Rulers. These same three men were most likely the ones referred to as the "rulers" of the synagogue in the New Testament. Jairus was one. In Acts 18 Crispus and Sosthenes were each identified as "the chief ruler" of their respective synagogues. No doubt each .was the Nasi.

Luke 8:41-42
And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.
KJV
　
Mark 5:22
22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
KJV

Acts 18:8
8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
KJV

Acts 18:17
17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.
KJV

Acts 13:15
15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
KJV

Interpreters = Maturzanim. These would stand near the speaker during the readings to translate for those present who did not speak Hebrew. They were available to translate literature, history, and anything considered to be to the wellbeing of the congregation.

1 Cor 14:27-28
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
KJV

Song Leader = Cantor. Actually the Cantor had more responsibilities, but was always in charge of the music. And churches have almost always had assigned song leaders.