An auditorium, in contemporary terms, refers to a large room or building designed for public gatherings, performances, or meetings. While the term "auditorium" itself does not appear in the Bible, the concept of a gathering place for teaching, worship, and community events is deeply rooted in biblical history and tradition.

Biblical Context

In biblical times, the equivalent of an auditorium would have been spaces such as synagogues, the Temple in Jerusalem, and open-air settings where people gathered to hear teachings, engage in worship, and participate in community life. These spaces served as central locations for religious instruction, communal prayer, and the reading of Scripture.

Synagogues

Synagogues functioned as local centers for worship and teaching in Jewish communities. They were places where the Torah was read and expounded upon, and where people gathered for prayer and instruction. In the New Testament, Jesus frequently taught in synagogues, as seen in Luke 4:16, "Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read..." .

The Temple

The Temple in Jerusalem was the central place of worship for the Israelites. It was a grand structure where sacrifices were offered, and major religious festivals were celebrated. The Temple served as a focal point for the Jewish faith, drawing worshippers from all over the region. In the New Testament, Jesus taught in the Temple courts, as recorded in John 7:14, "About halfway through the feast, Jesus went up to the temple courts and began to teach" .

Open-Air Gatherings

In addition to synagogues and the Temple, open-air gatherings were common in biblical times. Jesus often taught large crowds in outdoor settings, such as on hillsides or by the sea. One notable example is the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus addressed a multitude of people in an open area, as described in Matthew 5:1-2, "When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying..." .

Early Christian Gatherings

In the early Christian church, believers often met in homes or other available spaces for worship, teaching, and fellowship. These gatherings were characterized by the breaking of bread, prayer, and the apostles' teaching, as described in Acts 2:42, "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" .

Significance in Worship and Community Life

The concept of an auditorium as a gathering place for worship and teaching is significant in the life of the church. It reflects the biblical tradition of assembling together for spiritual edification, communal worship, and the proclamation of God's Word. Whether in a synagogue, the Temple, a home, or a modern church building, the purpose remains the same: to create a space where believers can come together to grow in faith and community.

Conclusion

While the term "auditorium" is not found in the Bible, the function it serves is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative. From synagogues and the Temple to open-air gatherings and early Christian meetings, the importance of a communal space for worship and teaching is a consistent theme throughout Scripture.(n.) The part of a church, theater, or other public building, assigned to the audience.201. akroaterion -- place of audience, or listening
... or listening. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: akroaterion Phonetic
Spelling: (ak-ro-at-ay'-ree-on) Short Definition: auditorium, recitation hall ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/201.htm - 6k

Chapter twenty-one
... The Saturday afternoon matinee at the Auditorium in Chicago was just over and the
usual crowd was struggling to get to its carriage before any one else. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-one.htm

Care of the Speaker's Throat
... speech. The sudden transition from an auditorium to the outer air should
remind the speaker to keep his mouth securely closed. The ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/care of the speakers throat.htm

Chapter twenty-six
... "I thought you would at least say it is as good as the meals you used to get at
the Auditorium at the big banquets," said Felicia slyly. "As good as! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-six.htm

Coming to New York
... The large auditorium of the church was thronged, but I received such a cordial welcome
as to make me feel at home, and was at once shown to a seat. ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/coming to new york.htm

Plymouth Services
... The building itself, with no steeple, the form of its auditorium, unusual at that
period in a church, the arrangement of its pews, all were indeed innovations ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/plymouth services.htm

The Call of Matthew.
... of the paralytic] he went forth, ^a again by the seaside [ie, he left Capernaum,
and sought the shore of the sea, which formed a convenient auditorium for him ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxvi the call of matthew.htm

Whether Ambition is Opposed to Magnanimity by Excess?
... had entered into the hall of audience" [*'Praetorium.' The Vulgate has 'auditorium,'
but the meaning is the same], and (2:Para.16:14) that when Asa died they ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether ambition is opposed to.htm

Brother Hugh
... He did his worldly work vigorously, and turned it swiftly to spiritual gain. He
had strong wine of doctrine for the chapter-house, milk for the auditorium. ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ii brother hugh.htm

A Plymouth Usher
... To some people it doubtless savoured more of a lecture hall than of a church. The
form of the auditorium was the reverse of the stately Gothic. ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/a plymouth usher.htm

Reclaiming a Church to Meet a New Age
... not finished until 1909. In it are club rooms, a large auditorium, a
gymnasium, locker rooms, and bowling alleys. At the corner ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/reclaiming a church to meet.htm

Auditorium (1 Occurrence)
... (n.) The part of a church, theater, or other public building, assigned to the
audience. Multi-Version Concordance Auditorium (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/auditorium.htm - 6k

Audience (17 Occurrences)

/a/audience.htm - 13k

Aught (52 Occurrences)

/a/aught.htm - 22k

What is Christ Commission Fellowship? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian go to Prom / Homecoming? | GotQuestions.org

Auditorium: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus