Synagague….

Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. (Acts 17:1)

    It was Paul’s habit as he traveled to locate the local synagogue, attend and teach. We read multiple Gospel accounts of Jesus doing the same. Let’s take a look today at the origin and operation of the synagogue.

   The word synagogue itself has Greek roots in the word synagoge, meaning assembly. In Hebrew it is knessett or usually bet knessett , house of assembly. No definite point of origin for the synagogue is known, but most scholars date synagogue beginnings to the time of the Babylonian exile when the majority of the Jewish population had been captured and Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed. Meetings were likely first held at homes with large rooms, and eventually as the need for instruction in scripture, prayer and worship was addressed, buildings were erected for the purpose. No sacrifice was offered at the synagogue because no qualified priest was present.

   By Jesus’ time, the synagogue system was fully in place. Towns with a population of at least ten Jewish men were encouraged to establish a synagogue. Synagogue design was simple. The synagogue was to be located on the highest ground and was to be taller than any other building. If possible, the main door faced eastward. As you entered, directly across the room would be an “ark” containing the scrolls of the Law of Moses (Torah) and another scroll of the prophets. Elders of ten men formed a ruling body called the Sanhedrin. The elders sat with their backs facing the ark wall, and the people sat in rows facing them. There was a raised platform where those leading prayer, reading scripture, or speaking stood. (Any of this starting to sound familiar?) There was no rigid liturgy, but a typical session might include, opening prayer, then the reading of the Law. Often one man would read the law, and then another would respond by finding a passage in the prophets that illuminated the scripture from the law. Finally, any man present could stand and bring a message that would show proper application.  

   Over time, a few grand synagogues existed, but they were used primarily for special functions on feast days. The system evolved so that worshippers would gather locally in relatively small groups.  At the time of the destruction of Herod’s Temple in AD 70, it is recorded that there were over 400 synagogues in the city Jerusalem alone.

   Christianity began as a sect of the Judaism, so it isn’t surprising that we find even today in our Christian churches many features drawn from the synagogues. If you approach most small towns from a distance, you’ll see the highest buildings are churches with the steeples specifically designed to exceed the height of any other roof. When you enter our church, the scriptures are typically located on the wall opposite you, the preacher stands on a platform, often accompanied by other church leaders facing the people gathered in rows. We open with prayer, read from the scriptures, and then have explanation and exhortation offered. The most notable difference is that no priest was employed at the synagogue and all men were required to perform as leaders, while we delegate most of these duties to our pastors.

   Christianity began in small assemblies, and then progressed to a formal gathering with priests at the helm. For hundreds of years ordinary believers had little input. Luther’s Reformation reduced the role of the priests but transferred it to pastors. Until recent times, little emphasis was placed on less formal gatherings. Most thriving churches today rely heavily on small groups led by laypersons. In fact, the fastest growing style of church in America today is house churches. If Jesus walked into a contemporary American town, I wonder where he’d go to teach and preach.

Staying on Mission

Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,  explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” (Acts 17:2-3 NKJV)

    I intended to begin writing about 1 Thessalonians today, but realized that to do so I needed to begin in Acts, Chapter 17, where the contentious planting of the church in Thessalonica is fully described. Google “church planting” and you’ll find more resources, ideas and information than you can possibly sift through in a lifetime. Paul had three resources when he entered the capital city of Macedonia, and the effect of these resources remains today.

   Verse 1 says — Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica… In any work we begin for God, it is critical to remain sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. God often pre-softens stony hearts to be receptive to the Gospel as He did for Paul’s work here. Paul’s discernment carried him through many places before he arrived at the specific place where God had a plan in place. It is easy to convince ourselves we can decide what God wants done and where He wants it done without ever asking Him for input, and  thereby miss the blessing He has planned. When we do this we end up with our ministry to which we attach His name. Paul wisely kept walking until the Lord revealed the spot where He wanted to establish a new church.     

   Paul reasoned with them from the scriptures. Paul’s scriptures weren’t like ours. He had only what we call the Old Testament. For him it was the Only Testament. Could you sit and reason with someone, could you make reasonable representations that Jesus was the Messiah from the Old Testament alone? Many quasi churched people we encounter have no idea that the Old Testament is about Jesus. From shadows and types like Boaz in the Book of Ruth who was Ruth’s kinsman redeemer as a type for Christ, our Kinsman redeemer. to the specific details of the birth, life, death and resurrection found in the Psalms and Isaiah, the Old Testament points to Jesus. We are equipped with Paul’s scriptures, plus so much more. Have you equipped yourself to reason with others from the scriptures?

   In Philippians 4:16 we read — For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Paul didn’t just go, He was sent, both by God and by the church in Philippi. The success of any missionary is greatly increased with sufficient funding and prayer support from sending believers. Many are called to Christ’s Gospel mission, but more are called to support with prayers and funding. Do you support missionaries with prayers and funding? Ask God to reveal a missionary for you to support and begin sending a monthly check. Even small support can produce huge Gospel results in the distant reaches of the Gospel. If you can’t be a go-er, become a sender.

  If you are following the leading of the Holy Spirit, you have been strategically placed by God in a Gospel opportunity. Paul got busy in Thessalonica — explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” Today, to whom are you explaining and demonstrating that Jesus is the Christ? Have you abandoned God’s mission for one of your own liking?