The Early Church and the Synagogue

Draft of a sermon given 01/29/11 at a small independent seventh-day congregation in Central Texas.


As the body of believers was entirely Jewish for about the first ten years, 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, the correlating of the primary functions of each would indicate both were patterned after the same plan.

Today I want to compare the functions within the early church congregations to those of the Jewish synagogues with the purpose of drawing certain conclusions I’ll go into later.

Synagogues were a phenomenon that came into being between testaments, or maybe during the Babylonian captivity, after the destruction of the first temple at any rate. It appears fully developed in the gospels. Jesus is never recorded speaking against the synagogue system in general. However, he did comment on the hypocrisy of some of those who ran them, that is, Pharisees and scribes. Pharisees generally were over synagogues as the Sadduccees were the temple.

In fact, Jesus' custom was to attend regularly.

Mark 1:21
21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
KJV

Luke 4:16
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
KJV

John 18:19-21 (not long after betrayal by Judas, Jesus is being held in the high priest’s palace.)
19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews (Judeans) always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
KJV

And Paul was pretty much the same. Paul's sermon in Acts 13 is one of my favorite passages. That took place in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia. This verse in Acts 18 is during a long stay in Corinth.

Acts 18:4
4 And he (Paul) reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and
the Greeks.
KJV

Here, I want to compare similar fumctions in the two. These were functions, not ranks.
The functions of the early church are taken from Paul’s writing. Much is known of the synagogues of those days, primarily from early rabbinical writings and from Josephus. I got them in a couple of courses I took from Dr. Ron Moseley.


Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers and Pastors

I Cor 12:27-30
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
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 4:5-8,11-12
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. …

11 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 Barnabas’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

Apollos fits the role of Evangelist very well. (Acts 18, 19.)
1 Cor 3:6
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
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. The past relationship of this congregation with Big Sandy and their supplying speakers from time to time might be an example.

Teachers = Batlanim. These were men who had to have the financial means to devote a great deal of time to study. Any synagogue with 120 members or more was expected to have at least ten of these. Their teaching did not primarily involve Sabbath services. The synagogue had a triple purpose. Primarily, it was known as Bet Midrash, or “House of Study.” As well, it was the “House of Worship” and the “House of Assembly.”

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.) 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 men who were 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 first 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 this set up that was being ignored?

1 Cor 6:1-6
1 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. (A prominent seat in each synagogue, which would be occupied by a "ruler," was referred to as "Moses' seat.”)

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, (So Jairus asks Jesus to heal his dying daughter.)
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 (in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia.)
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. (So Paul stood up and said 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. In churches outside Palestine there were further needs for an interpreter.

1 Cor 14:26-28
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
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

If there were a man who wished to speak in a language unknown to some, it would be up to the overseer to make sure an interpreter was available. If not the man wouldn’t be able to speak. After services, he could speak to someone able to understand, himself or God.

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.

To reiterate, as far as we can tell, the structure of the early church modeled the synagogue. Were their organizations the very same? Probably not at all. We read nothing of “Rulers” or “Moses’ Seat” in the churches. But they were quite a lot alike.


Independence

So, here’s a primary point for today. The individual synagogues were autonomous. Each was independent. And, so, do doubt the churches were too.

This interests me very much because I spent over twenty years in a top-down, hierarchical structure church which they claimed to be "God's government." Really? That evidently wasn't the case in the first century church.

What’s been the result? Today there are multiple hundred offshoots of the old Worldwide Church of God. There’s been split after split. Then the splits have split. Christian organizations have fought like cats of Kilkenny. This is what hierarchies do.

Some time back a friend alerted me to serious troubles in the United Church of God domination. Last month they had a nasty split.

This is why I really wanted to speak on this topic today. Because many of us spent years accepting that these conglomerate forms of church government were what God desired—even required. We were misled. It wasn’t.


The Church in Antioch (Syria)

I want to take the rest of the time I have to follow Paul’s ministry in relationship to the church at Antioch in Syria.

Paul, as we know, was converted on the road to Damascus, was baptized there, and preached there for a few years. However, when the non-accepting Jews set out to murder him, friends helped him escape to Jerusalem. Let’s pick it up there.

Acts 9:26-30
26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
KJV

Acts 11:19-30
19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
KJV

So, the church at Antioch is thriving and Barnabas brings Paul down there to be part of the ministry. Then the church sends both to take famine relief to Judea.

Acts 12:24-25, 13:1-4
24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
KJV

The first ministerial journey is underway. The congregation in Antioch has ordained Barnabas and Paul as the Holy Spirit has guided them, doubtless provided them with certain means, and sent them forth.

The two are referred to as apostles twice in chapter 14.

Acts 14:14
14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, (The context here is that, following a miracle, the people think Paul and Barnabas are pagan gods come to earth. The apostles are crying out not to do that.)
KJV

The two are sent as apostles into new territory. And at journey’s end they returned to Antioch and gave their report to the church that sent them.

Acts 14:26-28
26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
KJV

This process is repeated for Paul’s second journey. After the trip to Jerusalem described in Acts 15, a trip in which Mark, who had left them in the lurch during the first journey, returned with them, as did Silas and Judas, being prophets also themselves (Acts 15:32),
who delivered the letter.

Acts 15:35-41
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
KJV

This journey also ends with Paul returning to Antioch.

Acts 18:22-23
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
KJV


Conclusions

So we have the earliest churches with a similar form to the synagogues, a form that the apostles and other disciples were used to. And, as the synagogues were independent, the churches apparently were too. I believe Antioch makes a good example.

Who, then, has the most Biblical form of church government? Would it be the old WCG, or Living, or Flurry, or Pack, or maybe whatever groups emerge from United? Or Catholics? Or Methodists? Or, would it be congregations like this one? Right. The answer would be congregations like this one.

Could it be that this small group has been called for a purpose beyond what anyone here might imagine?