03-08-2019, 01:47 PM
Hey everyone,
I was listening to this sermon the other day, and the speaker briefly touched on the history of Jewish life after the Babylonian exile, spending most of that time on the function of the synagogue, since the subject was about certain struggles and issues within the early church between the Hellenist Jews and those that resided in Jerusalem. Obviously, the church services we Christians have are modeled after the functions of the synagogue, for we read in the Christian Scriptures that converted Jews turned their synagogues into the first churches of that time. But, what he discussed was really interesting, since I never studied much about it. One of the key things he said was that the purpose of the synagogue was to preserve Jewish life after the exile, to help the community where there were needs, and to stimulate practical living in accord to G-d's law. Whereas the Temple was the place of worship, the synagogue was to bring encourage and fellowship within the Jewish community. It was interesting, he began to show the various functions of the church-life modelling most of it after it, including collections of food and sometimes money to help widows and those in need. Sure, not exactly identical or the same in every way, but still it is very encouraging, at least to me, to see this.
Now, I thought it best to actually ask all of you a little more about that history, purpose, and function of the Jewish life in the synagogue (and maybe everything surrounding it). I am a little afraid to ask the "Messianic" bunch, as many of them seem really off on different things. If you have an article, or if you want to share something about it, please! Here are some starter questions from an outsider such as myself:
When did it begin, and why?
What were/are the functions of it, and what roles did/do the elders (or whoever it may be) play in it?
What does your synagogue services or function look like? What are some extra things your community does?
If anything I said is off, like my first paragraph, I will accept the criticism. Thank you for your time.
I was listening to this sermon the other day, and the speaker briefly touched on the history of Jewish life after the Babylonian exile, spending most of that time on the function of the synagogue, since the subject was about certain struggles and issues within the early church between the Hellenist Jews and those that resided in Jerusalem. Obviously, the church services we Christians have are modeled after the functions of the synagogue, for we read in the Christian Scriptures that converted Jews turned their synagogues into the first churches of that time. But, what he discussed was really interesting, since I never studied much about it. One of the key things he said was that the purpose of the synagogue was to preserve Jewish life after the exile, to help the community where there were needs, and to stimulate practical living in accord to G-d's law. Whereas the Temple was the place of worship, the synagogue was to bring encourage and fellowship within the Jewish community. It was interesting, he began to show the various functions of the church-life modelling most of it after it, including collections of food and sometimes money to help widows and those in need. Sure, not exactly identical or the same in every way, but still it is very encouraging, at least to me, to see this.
Now, I thought it best to actually ask all of you a little more about that history, purpose, and function of the Jewish life in the synagogue (and maybe everything surrounding it). I am a little afraid to ask the "Messianic" bunch, as many of them seem really off on different things. If you have an article, or if you want to share something about it, please! Here are some starter questions from an outsider such as myself:
When did it begin, and why?
What were/are the functions of it, and what roles did/do the elders (or whoever it may be) play in it?
What does your synagogue services or function look like? What are some extra things your community does?
If anything I said is off, like my first paragraph, I will accept the criticism. Thank you for your time.
"All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations." - Psalm 22:17-28
Historically Protestant, Confessionally Reformed, Theologically Baptist.
Historically Protestant, Confessionally Reformed, Theologically Baptist.