Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7456 synagogue A word meaning literally “a gathering together”. In the NT it sometimes refers to a group of Jews meeting for worship but most often to the building in which they met. Synagogue worship may have begun during the exile Ezekiel 14:1 Unable to sacrifice in the temple, the community met together with spiritual leaders. See also Ezekiel 20:1 A synagogue might be established anywhere Mark 1:21 See also Acts 6:9 in Jerusalem Where there were too few male Jews for a synagogue there would sometimes be a place of prayer: Acts 16:12-13,16 Acts 17:1,10; Acts 18:19 The role of the synagogue It was a focus for prayer and the reading of Scripture Acts 13:15 See also Nehemiah 8:2-8; Nehemiah 9:3; Luke 4:15-33 It was a centre for community affairs Matthew 10:17; Mark 13:9; Luke 12:11 Exclusion from the synagogue was used as a punishment The leading of synagogue worship It was the responsibility of the synagogue ruler Qualified laymen were allowed to teach Luke 4:16 See also Acts 13:15 Attendance at the synagogue It was the practice of Jesus Christ Matthew 9:35 See also Mark 6:2; Luke 4:16; John 6:59 It was the practice of Paul and other Jewish Christians Acts 9:19-20 See also Acts 14:1-2; Acts 17:2; Acts 19:8 The first Christians continued to worship in the synagogues See also
2363 Christ, preaching & teaching |
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