The synagogue was a place where local groups of Jews in cities and villages anywhere could gather for the reading and explanation of the Jewish Sacred Scriptures and for prayer. The original emphasis was not on preaching but instruction in the law of Moses.
A distinction must be made between synagogue worship and tabernacle or Temple worship. The tabernacle of Moses' day was enclosed by a fence of curtains. None but the priests dared enter this area. The people brought their animals for sacrifice to the gate of court but could go no further. The later temples of Solomon, Zerubbabel and Herod (the Temple of Jesus' day) did have courts or porches where the people could pray or have discussions, but the Temple precincts proper were for the priests only.
Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father who would promptly send more than twelve legions of angels to my defense? But then, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this is the way it must be? It was at this time that Jesus said to the crowds, 'Am I a brigand, that you have to set out to capture me with swords and clubs? I sat teaching in the Temple day after day and you never laid hands on me.' - Matt. 26:53-55 -
Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. - Luke 2:46-47 -
They went as a body to the Temple everyday but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved. - Acts 2:46-47 -
In synagogues, on the other hand, the people took part in worship, reading of the Sacred Scriptures, and prayer. By the New Testament times synagogues were very numerous and popular. They became centers of community activity, playing a number of roles. Sometimes they were local courts of justice which could sentence the offender as well as inflict the punishment of scourging. The synagogue was also an elementary school teaching children to read. It was, no doubt, a center of social life for the Jewish community.
Beware of men: they will hand you over to Sanhedrin and scourge you in their synagogues. - Matt. 10:17 -
Serpents, brood of vipers, how can you escape being condemned to hell? This is why, in my turn, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes: some you will slaughter and crucify, some you will scourge in your synagogues and hunt from town to town. - Matt. 23:33-34 -
The Jewish captives in Babylon did not have a temple or an altar, but they longed for communion with God. This longing is clearly reflected in the Book of Psalm 137 and Book of Daniel chapter 9. It was only natural for them to meet in local groups for prayer and the reading of the Sacred Scriptures. When the Jews returned to their land, Ezra, the scribe promoted the reading of the Law and prayer in the Book of Nehemiah chapter 8.
But Zerubbabel had rebuilt the Temple, giving the Palestinian Jews a worship center. Many Jews, however, lived in Persia (Book of Esther) and others had fled to many countries. By about 300 B.C. a large community of Jews lived in Alexandria, Egypt. A marble slab found near Alexandria bears an inscription dedicating a synagogue to Ptolemy III who ruled Egypt from 246-221 B.C. and his queen Berenice. This is the first solid evidence of a true synagogue. Within Palestine the oldest known synagogue is the one uncovered at Herod's palace fortress on the rock of Masada near the Dead Sea, built 36-30 B.C.
In Jesus' day, however, synagogues were common even in the villages. They must have been well established with the customary officials and order of worship.
Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him. He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read............When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. Luke 4:14-28 -
On his return Jesus was welcomed by the crowd, for they were all there waiting for him. And now there came a man named Jairus , who was an official of the synagogue. - Luke 8:40-41 -
Saint Paul found synagogues in cities throughout the Roman Empire. Damascus - Acts 9:2 - Salamis - 13:5 - Antioch in Pisidia - 13:14 - Iconium - 14:1 - Thessalonica - 17:1 - Berea - 17:10 - Athens - 17:16-17 - Ephesus - 19:1, 8 - This shows that the synagogues had existed for a long time.
Synagogue worship has influenced the Christian worship. The earliest Christians were Jews. Therefore, Church worship followed the synagogue pattern with Sacred Scripture reading, prayer, and a sermon. In Jewish tradition, an assembly of noted rabbis called together by scribe Ezra or beginning with him. This group supposedly determined what books belonged to the Old Testament. They also originated the prayers and benedictions used in synagogue worship. - Nehemiah chapter 8 to chapter 10 -
Page 1
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
A distinction must be made between synagogue worship and tabernacle or Temple worship. The tabernacle of Moses' day was enclosed by a fence of curtains. None but the priests dared enter this area. The people brought their animals for sacrifice to the gate of court but could go no further. The later temples of Solomon, Zerubbabel and Herod (the Temple of Jesus' day) did have courts or porches where the people could pray or have discussions, but the Temple precincts proper were for the priests only.
Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father who would promptly send more than twelve legions of angels to my defense? But then, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this is the way it must be? It was at this time that Jesus said to the crowds, 'Am I a brigand, that you have to set out to capture me with swords and clubs? I sat teaching in the Temple day after day and you never laid hands on me.' - Matt. 26:53-55 -
Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. - Luke 2:46-47 -
They went as a body to the Temple everyday but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved. - Acts 2:46-47 -
In synagogues, on the other hand, the people took part in worship, reading of the Sacred Scriptures, and prayer. By the New Testament times synagogues were very numerous and popular. They became centers of community activity, playing a number of roles. Sometimes they were local courts of justice which could sentence the offender as well as inflict the punishment of scourging. The synagogue was also an elementary school teaching children to read. It was, no doubt, a center of social life for the Jewish community.
Beware of men: they will hand you over to Sanhedrin and scourge you in their synagogues. - Matt. 10:17 -
Serpents, brood of vipers, how can you escape being condemned to hell? This is why, in my turn, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes: some you will slaughter and crucify, some you will scourge in your synagogues and hunt from town to town. - Matt. 23:33-34 -
The Jewish captives in Babylon did not have a temple or an altar, but they longed for communion with God. This longing is clearly reflected in the Book of Psalm 137 and Book of Daniel chapter 9. It was only natural for them to meet in local groups for prayer and the reading of the Sacred Scriptures. When the Jews returned to their land, Ezra, the scribe promoted the reading of the Law and prayer in the Book of Nehemiah chapter 8.
But Zerubbabel had rebuilt the Temple, giving the Palestinian Jews a worship center. Many Jews, however, lived in Persia (Book of Esther) and others had fled to many countries. By about 300 B.C. a large community of Jews lived in Alexandria, Egypt. A marble slab found near Alexandria bears an inscription dedicating a synagogue to Ptolemy III who ruled Egypt from 246-221 B.C. and his queen Berenice. This is the first solid evidence of a true synagogue. Within Palestine the oldest known synagogue is the one uncovered at Herod's palace fortress on the rock of Masada near the Dead Sea, built 36-30 B.C.
In Jesus' day, however, synagogues were common even in the villages. They must have been well established with the customary officials and order of worship.
Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him. He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read............When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. Luke 4:14-28 -
On his return Jesus was welcomed by the crowd, for they were all there waiting for him. And now there came a man named Jairus , who was an official of the synagogue. - Luke 8:40-41 -
Saint Paul found synagogues in cities throughout the Roman Empire. Damascus - Acts 9:2 - Salamis - 13:5 - Antioch in Pisidia - 13:14 - Iconium - 14:1 - Thessalonica - 17:1 - Berea - 17:10 - Athens - 17:16-17 - Ephesus - 19:1, 8 - This shows that the synagogues had existed for a long time.
Synagogue worship has influenced the Christian worship. The earliest Christians were Jews. Therefore, Church worship followed the synagogue pattern with Sacred Scripture reading, prayer, and a sermon. In Jewish tradition, an assembly of noted rabbis called together by scribe Ezra or beginning with him. This group supposedly determined what books belonged to the Old Testament. They also originated the prayers and benedictions used in synagogue worship. - Nehemiah chapter 8 to chapter 10 -
Page 1
If you wish to donate. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
No comments:
Post a Comment