THE
SYNAGOGUE: ITS ORIGIN, OPERATION, AND AUTHORITY FOR
EXISTENCE
The word synagogue is used only once in the
King James Version of the Old Testament (Psalms 74:8) and even then it is
translated from the Hebrew word meaning assemblies or congregations (Strong
4150). This same Hebrew word is translated as assembly in Lamentations 2:7 (ASV)
and at least forty-eight times as congregation. The synagogue is mentioned
numerous times in the gospels and the book of Acts.
During the days of Jesus, He both attended the synagogue and even taught in it
(Mark 1:21, Luke 4:16, Matthew 13:54-58). Paul and other disciples did the same
(Acts 13:14-16, Acts 17:1-3, Acts 18:4).
It has been suggested by some that the
synagogue did not have Divine authority to exist and there was no inspired
regulations governing its operation. They surmise that since the synagogue
existed without authority and since Jesus blessed it by His presence and even
taught in it, then it must have found favor in His sight. They conclude,
therefore, that if the synagogue could exist and function without Divine
authority and without being condemned by Jesus, then we have the same permission
today to operate through agencies unauthorized by God.
Such surmising simply acknowledges no more
than that they have no authority for that which they purpose to defend.
But
Did the Synagogue Exist by Divine Authority?
It has been noted already that the word
synagogue referred to an assembly or congregation. Each city had its elders who
would gather for the purpose of settling problems and instructing the people.
This was done, for example, concerning a rebellious son (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)
and regarding a wife found not to be a virgin (22:20-21).
During the days of Joshua and with God’s
approval, provision was for “the slayer that killeth and person unawares
and unwittingly” to flee unto a city of refuge and dwell in that city “until
he stand before the congregation for judgment” (Joshua 20:3, 6).
Writing of Moses and the law which was delivered by God through him, the Jewish
historian Josephus in the First Century stated that Moses:
“Permitting the people to leave off their
other employment, and to assemble together for the hearing of the law, and
learning it exactly, and this not once of twice, or oftener, but every week”
(Flavius Josephus Against Apion, II, 18, Page 892).
Israel existed as a nation comprised of
twelve tribes designed to work in harmony through common adherence to the Law.
The Sabbath was a special day appointed by God and in which the people throughout Israel
were restricted in their activities. It was on this day that the dedicated in
Israel gathered to read and study God’s word. This is made vividly evident by
James’ statement in Acts 15:21, “For Moses of old time had in every
city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every
Sabbath day.”
This custom was noted in Psalms 22:22, “I
will declare Thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation
will I praise Thee” and in Psalms 107:31-32, “Oh that men would
praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of
me! Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people and praise
Him in the assembly of the elders.” At the return of Israel from
their Babylonian captivity, Nehemiah 8:1-8 records a grand gathering of
the people to hear the reading of the Law.
This practice is further confirmed by Jesus’ own custom. “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”
(Luke 4:16). Referring to the same practice which had for centuries been
observed, Paul at the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia said, “They that
dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew Him not, nor yet the
voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have
fulfilled them in condemning Him” (Acts 13:27). At “Thessalonica
where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto
them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures”
(Acts 17:1-2). At Corinth Paul “reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath,
and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks” (Acts 18:4)
Carolus Sigonius in the Sixteenth Century,
Henry H. Halley in the Twentieth Century, and many others have advanced the idea
that the synagogue had its origin during the Babylonian captivity in the days of
Ezra and Nehemiah. It is evident from Scriptural references given above,
however, that the synagogue existed with God’s approval and provision from the
time of the exodus.
Function of the Synagogue
As a congregation among God’s people, the
synagogue assembled on every Sabbath day (Acts 15:21) and it provided an
arrangement for mutual study and discussion (Luke 6:6, Acts 19:8). To it were
presented problems (Deuteronomy 21:18-21, 22:20-21) and through it decisions
were finalized (Joshua 20:3, 6). It was at such assemblies that both Jesus and
Paul often gained an audience for their teaching.
The
Issue
In his weak attempt to respond to Jesus’
powerful illustration about being a good neighbor, the lawyer “willing to
justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29).
It remains true in our day as well, that some “willing to justify”
themselves advance highly questionable arguments in defense of that for which
they have no Scriptural authority. The Lord’s church functioned successfully
in its early years without humanly devised arrangements and institutions. It
sadly fails its mission when today it follows the world of sectarianism in
adopting such agencies as schools, orphan’s homes, classes, and women teachers
to further its influence.
To suggest in absolute error that Jesus
condoned an unscriptural arrangement when He visited and taught in the synagogue
displays a lack of Biblical understanding and suggests an attempt to sustain
practices for which there is admittedly no Scriptural authority.
HARRY
COBB
(Wedowee,
AL)
