Body: |
Synagogue Organization and Government
Synagogue officials (Elders), Attendants (Deacons)
Independent Autonomous
First Century Synagogues and churches
"On this Rock, I will build My church"
Ancient Synagogue Worship and the Church
Synagogue worship was the prototype for Christian Church.
GOVERNMENT IN SYNAGOGUES
A. Leadership and government Transition from Temple to Synagogue to church:
1. Qualifications change from pedigree to morality and living
spiritual faith.
a. The Hebrew Jerusalem temple had animal sacrifices and
special "ordained" high priests in a system of clericalism based upon
pedigree. Like the dynasty of Judean Kings and scribes, the High priest had
to trace his parentage back to Levi though specific genealogical records.
There are many examples in the Bible of the general population rejecting
the successor in prophetic and kingly dynasties. Both Eli and Samuel's
children were worthless and the people rejected Samuel's sons on moral
basis. 1 Samuel 2:22; 1 Samuel 8:1-5
b. Synagogues began in 280 BC as a simple group of spiritually
minded common Jewish men (Non-Levite) in Egypt devoted to reading the Torah
and prayer. Over time a body of elders was appointed from these men. By
about 100 BC the Pharisees has gained control of synagogues as a counter to
the Sadducees control of the Jerusalem Temple. However, synagogue leaders
and those who lead the synagogue services were conducted by common Jews and
Pharisees. The first synagogues may not have even had any formal government
since it was comprised of spiritually minded men from the general
population in Alexandria who simply gathered to read the Torah and pray.
Governmental developments and organizational evolution gradually occurred
as synagogues became convenient control centers by the sect of the
Pharisees.
c. The early church began under the government and spiritual
direction of the Apostles in Jerusalem in both the temple and Synagogues on
the first day of the week. After the Christian Diaspora of Acts 8:4 and
Paul's subsequent success in establishing church in the Greek world on
his missionary journeys, he appointed a plurality of married Christian men
with believing children, who met stringent spiritual and moral
qualifications: 1 Tim 3; Tit 1.
2. It is important to understand the backdrop of the
qualifications of elders in the Christian church in relationship to Temple
worship.
a. Temple worship was strictly blood and DNA determined and
totally ignored any moral, social or experiential qualifications.
b. While synagogues, through God's providence, were prototypes
of the church in organization, God wanted to ensure an ultra high quality
of leadership based upon faith, family history, marriage status, town
reputation and morals.
c. The Holy Spirit gave two detailed lists in the New testament
of the qualifications of church overseers:
i. "It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the
office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then,
must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent,
respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious,
but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who
manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all
dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how
will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he
will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the
devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so
that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Deacons
likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much
wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a
clear conscience. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve
as deacons if they are beyond reproach." (1 Timothy 3:1-10)
ii. "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in
order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having
children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the
overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not
quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid
gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout,
self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with
the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and
to refute those who contradict. For there are many rebellious men, empty
talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be
silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they
should not teach for the sake of sordid gain." (Titus 1:5-11)
d. In the church the following were forbidden to serve in the
office of overseer:
i. Single men were excluded from office of overseer.
ii. Married men with no children were excluded from office of
overseer.
iii. Married men with no adult non-Christian children were
excluded from office of overseer.
iv. Morally flawed men were excluded from office of overseer.
v. Men unable to teach the positive Bible message were excluded
from office of overseer.
vi. Men unable to logically refute false teachers were excluded
from office of overseer.
vii. All New converts recently baptized for remission of sins
were excluded from office of overseer even if they met all the other
qualifications.
viii. All women were categorically excluded from office of
overseer under any circumstance.
e. Detailed outline on the qualifications of a church overseer.
3. Presbyterian style, Democratic body of synagogue rulers:
(always plural)
a. The inscription from Xenephyris Egypt references two men
who were both "presiders" in 139 BC. This is solid evidence that there
was always a plurality of synagogue officials patterned after a presbytery.
b. Jairus was one of several synagogue officials: "One of the
synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His
feet" (Mark 5:22)
c. "While He was still speaking, they came from the house
of the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died; why trouble
the Teacher anymore?" But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said
to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only
believe."" (Mark 5:35-36)
d. "They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He
saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing." (Mark 5:38)
e. "And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official
of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus' feet (Luke 8:41-49)
f. "But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus
had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, "There
are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get
healed, and not on the Sabbath day."" (Luke 13:14)
4. Pharisees were like church ministers not the
elders/overseers/shepherds
a. Preachers and experts in Bible law:
b. Pharisees functioned very similar to pulpit preachers in
churches.
c. While the Pharisee was an expert, he was under the authority
of the synagogue rulers
5. Attendant was the equivalent to church deacons:
a. Took care of building, stored and retrieved the Torah bible
scrolls from the Ark of the Scrolls.
b. "And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat
down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him." (Luke 4:20)
6. Women took no leading roles in synagogues (see main section on
role of women)
a. Women took no leading role in ancient synagogues because
their voice was viewed as seductive and distractive to men:
i. "The community prayer leader was to be a man, since the
voice of a woman could lead to sexually indecent behavior (Orach Hayyim
75:3; see also B. Ber. 24a and B. Qid. 70a-70b). (The Encyclopaedia of
Judaism, Neusner, Volume 2, Page 910, 2000 AD)
ii. "A woman's voice is a matter of sexuality, as it is said,
'For your voice is sweet and your face pretty' (Song. 2:14)."
(Babylonian Talmud, b. Ber. 3:5, I.16.F)
b. Women did not preach in synagogues.
c. Women did do public Torah readings in synagogues.
d. Women did not lead prayers in synagogues.
e. Women did not hold offices of authority in synagogues.
f. Women were not directly involved in the administration
of a synagogue
B. Titles and functions of synagogue officials:
1. Greek "archisynagogos": One of the Leaders of
the Synagogue:
a. "Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in
the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they
heard were believing and being baptized." (Acts 18:8)
b. "And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of
the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But
Gallio was not concerned about any of these things." (Acts 18:17)
c. Greek "archisynagogos" is used once in the
Alexandrian synagogue inscription dating to 3AD (see below)
d. Greek "archisynagogos" is used three different
times in the Theodotos inscription dating to c. 18 BC.
e. "(Archisynagogos), one of the most important
titles, and almost exclusively Jewish, meaning 'head of the synagogue',
appears in several donors' inscriptions (Lifshitz 1967:nos. 79, 66, 74;
Roth-Gerson 1987:171-72, nos. 19, 24, 27; Hachlili 1998:400). Scholars
suggest that this title was synonymous with the Hebrew title nom unin (rosh
ha-knesset). Rajak and Noy (1993:88-89) argue that he was a civic patron
with a title and high standing in the community. The title is used in
inscriptions found in the Land of Israel: in Jerusalem on the Theodotus
inscription stone plaque (see above); 'the Berylos inscription' on a mosaic
pavement at Caesarea (Avi-Yonah 1960:47); an inscription on a stone lintel
found near Sepphoris that refers to two archisynagogoi, one of Sidon and
one of Tyre (Huttmeister 1977:403-407; Roth-Gerson 1987:no. 24; Weiss
2005:3), and on two inscriptions on marble slabs which might have belonged
to the synagogue at Beth She'arim (Roth-Gerson 1987:134, 137, 143, nos.,II,
VI). The archisynagogos was very influential in the Jewish community. The
title was sometimes inherited, being passed on from father to son, probably
in important priestly families, and perhaps for life (see the Jerusalem
Theodotos inscription, above and Chapter XI). The task of the
archisynagogos was to arrange the worship in the synagogue, to supervise
the study and reading of the Torah, to preach, and to perform other general
tasks. He could also have other functions, such as priest, a title cited in
the Jerusalem Theodotus inscription, while in the Caesarea inscription,
Berilos is referred to as frontistes, 'an inspector' (Roth-Gerson 1987:174,
no. 27). The archisynagogos could also be in charge of a specific community
based on geographical origin (see the Sepphoris lintel inscription), a
shared profession, or a specific neighborhood of a town. Some
archisynagogoi donated entire synagogue buildings or parts of them, as well
as architectural decorations etc. Inscriptions mentioning archisynagogoi on
epitaphs are found at several sites in the Roman Empire, for example, at
Aegina, Apamea, Ostia, and Hammam-Lif. Thirty-two inscriptions mentioning
40 archisynagogoi are dated to the first to sixth centuries CE. "
(Ancient Synagogues - Archaeology and Art: New Discoveries and Current
Research, Rachel Hachlili, p19, 2013 AD)
2. Greek "archon": One of the Synagogue officials:
a. "While He was saying these things to them, a
synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, "My daughter
has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.""
(Matthew 9:18)
b. Magdala synagogue: "One of the synagogue officials
named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet" (Mark 5:22)
"While He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue
official [Jairus], saying, "Your daughter has died; do not trouble the
Teacher anymore."" (Luke 8:49)
c. "But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus
had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, "There
are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get
healed, and not on the Sabbath day."" (Luke 13:14)
d. "After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the
synagogue officials sent to them, saying, "Brethren, if you have any word
of exhortation for the people, say it."" (Acts 13:15)
3. Greek "archiprostates": one of the Synagogue
officials:
a. Greek "archiprostates" is used in the
Alexandrian inscription dating to 3 AD:
C. The Chair of Moses
1. Moses' Chair was reserved for the judge, synagogue leader,
preacher, special guest etc:
2. "However, to the best of our knowledge and in contrast with
the pagan priest and the Christian bishop, we know of no one particular
person who might have regularly occupied such a seat in a synagogue
setting, where leadership was relatively decentralized. Thus, it is likely
that in many congregations more than one person occupied the cathedra,
depending upon the particular activity then taking place: prayers, a
sermon, a teaching session, court proceedings, visits by special guests,
etc." (The Synagogue in Late Antiquity, Lee Levine, p350, 1987 AD)
3. "Archaeological evidence from several sites points to the
arrangement of special seats for synagogue leaders. In the Diaspora, the
apse at the western end of the building at Sardis was clearly reserved for
prominent members of the congregation, and such may also have been the case
at Naro."4 An inscription on the side of the nave in the synagogue at Elche
mentions elders and presbyters and seems to indicate the existence of such
a bench for these leaders."' The last stages of the 1.1ammat Tiberias
building (seventh to eighth centuries) also exhibit a bench in its apse
that undoubtedly was reserved for congregational leaders." (The Synagogue
in Late Antiquity, Lee Levine, p339, 1987 AD)
4. "Many explanations have been put forth in an attempt to
explain the precise purpose of this cathedra, with each explanation finding
its support in a particular source or a specific archaeological find. Roth
and, more recently, Rahmani interpret the cathedra as the place where the
Torah scroll was placed after it was read. Most scholars, however, view the
cathedra as the seat for a leader in the congregation, although opinions
differ as to the precise role of that leader: judge, archisynagogue, or
spiritual-religious figure such as a Pharisee, sage, preacher, or some
honored guest. In this context, it is worth noting the Samaritan account
which speaks of a synagogue built by Baba Rabba at the foot of Mt. Gerizim;
seven stones reputedly from the ancient Tabernacle were placed there, and
on them sat seven members of the council." (The Synagogue in Late
Antiquity, Lee Levine, p350, 1987 AD)
D. Church government was identical to synagogue government:
1. When Jews were converted to Christianity, they wholesale
adopted the pattern of church government from the synagogue.
a. Churches and synagogues were governed by a PLURALITY of men,
not a single man like in the Roman Catholic church.
b. The Greek word Presbuterion is plural for elder and signifies
an equal BODY of men.
2. Both synagogue and church share these qualities:
a. Synagogue leaders were a body of plurality of qualified,
older, experienced men and directly correspond to church
overseers/elders/shepherds.
b. Synagogue attendants were servants of Synagogue leaders with
no oversite except that delegated from the Overseers and directly
correspond to church deacons.
c. Pharisees were the legal experts who preached and taught the
Law of Moses and correspond directly with church pulpit ministers.
3. Here is a detailed outline that proves there is a single
office described as overseer, elder, shepherd.
E. Four Terms That Describe the single office of church overseers: (elder,
overseer, shepherd, steward)
1. Each term gives us a little more information about the
function of the office: Christians are described as: priests, saints,
children citizens, soldiers, etc. In the same way we have different
descriptive terms for the eldership.
2. These terms are not honorary titles but descriptions of work
to be done: a. It would be wrong to call someone "Elder Smith", or "Pastor
Brown"
3. In the table below, you will notice four individual terms
(elder, overseer, shepherd, steward) and one collective term (eldership:
which is simply the plural of term elder).
Four terms describing the one office of an elder
Term
Greek word
Definition:
Emphasis
Elder or presbyter
Presbureros
An older man a senior
Experience
Overseer or bishop
Episcopos
A guardian or superintendent
Oversight
Shepherd or pastor
Poimen
Metaphoric term (tending flocks)
Protection
Steward
Oikonomo
Metaphoric term (treasurer)
Trustworthy
Eldership
Presbuterion
Group of older men/elders
Plurality & equality
4. Proof that all four terms "elder, overseer, shepherd,
steward" refer to same office because of their interchangeable usage:
All terms refer to same single office
Elder or Presbyter (Presbureros)
Overseer or bishop (Episcopos)
Shepherd or pastor (Poimen)
Steward (Oikonomo)
Acts 20:17,28
Tit 1:5,7
1 Pe 5:1,2
F. Apostacy in church organization
1. It is truly shocking that in spite of two different passages
outline the qualifications of church leaders (Tit 1, 1 Tim 3) most churches
today totally ignore every detail.
a. Women pastors are common.
b. One man is sole overseer in a local church or in the Roman
Catholic case, one man is over the entire church world wide.
c. Church Pastors are often single, young, ore recently married
with no kids or young kids or where all their kids abandoned Christianity
and joined the Moonies.
d. Instead of a single office described in three metaphors
(elder, shepherds, overseer) many denominations create three distinct
offices.
e. In one of the most striking contradictions of terms Mormon
ELDERS are often too young to need to shave every morning and sometimes,
their "voices crack" because they have not fully "changed" yet.
(This is a bit exaggerated, but you get the point that these kids are not
ELDERLY.)
2. History of apostacy of Church government and organization:
a. Introduction
b. Graphical Mouse Rollover of gradual change of organization
over time
c. 4 Competing views of organization
d. Outline: 33-150 AD
e. Outline: 250-451 AD
f. Outline: 451-588 AD
g. Outline: 588-606 AD
h. Outline: 606 AD-Today
i. Catholic organization today
j. Orthodox organization today
k. True Bible organization today
3. Find a local congregation of the New Testament church in your
own home town that is organized EXACTLY like first century synagogues and
churches.
By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections
Quick links
Ancient Synagogues
Go to: Main Start Page
By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections
Quick links:
Master introduction: Summary overview is the place to start to tie it all together.
Providence: God's eternal plan: The providential transition from Temple to Synagogue to Church
Origin: Synagogues originated at Alexandria Egypt in 280 BC spawned by the Septuagint
Jesus the Messiah of the Tanakh:
1. First Century Jewish Messianic Expectation: As witnessed in the Dead Sea scrolls.
2. Looking for the wrong thing: Mistaken Jewish ideas of the Messiah in 30 AD.
3. Jesus fulfilled Prophecy: Master list of fulfilled messianic prophecies
4. Jesus fulfilled Prophecy: "He shall be called a Nazarene (branch)" Matthew 2:23
5. Jesus fulfilled Prophecy: "Jesus would rise the third day" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Synagogue Architectural Prototypes in the Church:
1. Standard architectural synagogue typology: Introduction, Master Chart
2. Mikveh for Ritual Purity: The Christian Maker
3. Ritual purity stone Vessels: Stoneware cups and wash basins
4. Freestanding Columns: Antitype of Christians
5. Artwork: Heart-Shaped Columns
6. The bema: Prototype of the Church Pulpit
7. Synagogue Benches: Metaphor of Equality in Christ
8. Women Seating in Synagogues: Not segregated from men
9. The Moses' Seat: Metaphor of Pride
10. Niches & Ark of The Scrolls: Prototype of Church Apse
11. Table of the Scrolls: Prototype of Communion Table
12. Byzantine Church Architecture: Octagonal and Basilica
13. Orientation: Early Synagogues did not Point to Jerusalem
14. The Church replaced the Temple: Replacement theology is pure Christianity
Synagogue Worship Prototypes in the Church:
15. Worship prototypes: Introduction and Master Summary Chart
16. Collective Names of Synagogues: House of Prayer, Temple, Church
17. Organization of Synagogues: Elders, officials, attendants, Independent, autonomous
18. Attendance: Weekly Sabbath Assemblies in Synagogues absent from Tanakh
19. Public Bible readings: Preaching and Teaching In Synagogues
20. Greek Septuagint: The Standard Tanakh of every ancient synagogue
21. Greek Septuagint scroll of the Twelve Minor Prophets written in 50 BC
22. Prayer in Synagogues: "House of prayer" Proseuche
23. Food: Sacred Passover Meals, No Common Meals In Synagogues
24. Sermon Topics in Synagogues: How Christians used the Tanakh to convert Jews
25. Singing in Synagogues: Non-Instrumental Acapella Responsive Singing
26. Benevolence Money: Freewill Weekly First fruits Collections for poor in Synagogues
27. Education: Schools and Literacy of Jews In Synagogues
28. Role of Women in Synagogues: Never leaders, preachers but never segregated
29. Sanctuary Status: Refugees seeking Asylum in Synagogues
30. Appendages: Hostels, Housing and Food Banks in Synagogues
31. Civil Court: Judgements, beatings and scourging in Synagogues
32. Civic Meetings: Political Town Hall assemblies in Synagogues
33. Christians replaced Jews: Replacement theology is pure Christianity
Synagogue Occupation Date (SOD)= Excavation date + Inscriptional date + Literary date
Allusions: Synagogue worship allusions and imagery in the New Testament
Master builder Stonemason Jesus: "Upon this Rock I will build My church"
Everyday life: Archeology of Everyday Life and Homes at the time of Jesus
Master List: Master list of First Temple Period, Pre-70 AD Synagogues
Attend a church you can read about in the Bible: Click here to find a church near you.
By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections
Go to:
Master Synagogue List
Go to:
Jewish Messianic Expectations in DSS
Go to:
Map of Synagogue Sites
Excavations
Inscriptions
Literature
Go to:
Synagogue Excavations
Go to:
Synagogue Inscriptions
Go to:
Synagogue Literary Sources
Jesus Master Builder of the Church/Temple
Archeology of First Century Houses
By Steve Rudd 2017: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections
Jesus your messiah is waiting for you to come home!
Why not worship with a first century New Testament church near you, that has the same look and feel as the Jewish Synagogue in your own home town. As a Jew, you will find the transition as easy today as it was for the tens of thousands of your forefathers living in Jerusalem 2000 years ago when they believed in Jesus the Nazarene (the branch) as their messiah. It's time to come home!
Click here to find a church near you.
By Steve Rudd: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections.
Click to View
Go to: Main Ancient Synagogue Start Page
Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA
|