Synagogues and Christian Churches

Message; Synagogues and Christian Churches:Synagogues;Ac 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.This verse seems to show us that the synagogues were just as denominational as today's churches. They were just as much based upon fleshly preferences as our divisions of Church denominations are today. It should be pointed out that just because Jesus went to Synagogues it does not mean He sanctioned them. Jesus went there because it was a place religious people went. It does not mean that we are to change how we are told to come together.The Synagogues were the chief place of the Pharisees, and by and large Jesus was not, to make an understatement, very pleased with that group.Synagogues have no Scriptural basis for there existence. The beginning of the synagogue system is not given in either the Old Testament or the New Testament. The synagogue began, traditionally, during the period of the Babylonian exile when the Jewish people were deprived of the temple and assembled together for worship in a strange land. The synagogue continued as an institution, as a house of worship, study, and prayer after the exiles returned and rebuilt the temple.Synagogues by the first century A.D. existed wherever Jews lived. Synagogues were the special meeting places of the Jews and they made a point of building a synagogue wherever they went.When a synagogue was to be built the highest ground that could be found in the vicinity was selected for the site. If possible, the top was erected above the roofs of surrounding buildings. If not, a tall pole was placed on the summit in order to make the building conspicuous (Like today’s church steeple).When Titus destroyed the city of Jerusalem there were many synagogues, 304 according to one historian, 480 according to another.Synagogues gave the Pharisees the means to come into power. Synagogues were the favored teaching places of the Pharisees.The Pharisees of the New Testament began about the same time that the Jewish people began building synagogues, which is probably not a coincidence.Since the priests, the hereditary officials, of the temple had no official standing or privileges in the synagogues, it gave the Pharisees a place in which to teach and become the leaders of the Jewish people. The Jewish people were taken over by the Pharisees.John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. It seems that there are two groups mentioned here.By the time of the New Testament the Pharisees controlled the synagogues, the places of meeting.Pharisees, Greek "pharisaio," means to separate. Pharisee means "to separate," and refers to a class of men who separated themselves from, and elevated themselves above, the rest of the people of God.The New Testament Pharisees were a separate class in Judaism, a separate class of religious leaders.Jesus did not join the Pharisees, the religious teachers and leaders of that time. He did not join the Pharisees then and He would not be a member of the religious ruling class today.Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.All though history there have been people that have wanted to be "spiritual" leaders, priests and shaman that were looked up to as being nearer to God. So called "Holy men" who have gained power over others through a, supposed, higher relationship to God.Christian Churches;Not much has changed, most Christians, like most of the Jews of the New Testament, like to come together according to their fleshly preferences and not according to the word of God, and they still, while paying lip service to Scripture alone, place their traditions above God's Word.Our Christian Churches today are based upon the Jewish Synagogues and Pharisee system and not upon the New Testament pattern, not upon the Word of God. Today's Pastor has the same position as the Jewish Rabbi.Church buildings, like the synagogues before them, have no scriptural basis for their existence. Judaism, not Christianity, teaches separate buildings, and sanctified places for worship.The first Apostles, who were Jews and had the Jewish background of building special places of worship, did not build church buildings, nor did they teach that they were ever to be built. They would have built, or at least told us that we were to have special building for worship, if Christianity had required that places be set apart for the specific purpose of worship.This was probably because the "building" of the New Testament, of Christianity, is not a material building, but consists of living persons, all believers in Jesus Christ. The "building" of Christianity, the "temple," is spiritual and in the heart, therefore the question of meeting places for believers, or places of worship is of little importance.Separate buildings for worship did not exist in the earliest days of Christianity. There was no property apart from the property of individual Christians. Individual Believers put their houses at the disposal of the community for assembling together.Three hundred years after Christ, the Roman Emperor Constantine officially recognized Christianity with his "edict of Milan" a pronouncement of freedom of worship for all. Constantine treated Christianity as the favored religion of the Roman Empire, but in some ways he continued to identify his previous religion, the worship of the Unconquered Sun, with the Christian God.The Emperor made the first day of the week a holiday. He called it "the venerable day of the sun, (Sunday)" which became the official day of Christian worship.Constantine retained the pagan high priest title of Pontifax Maximus. The Roman Emperor, as the head of the state religion, had always been responsible for maintaining good relations between the people and their gods. So he naturally saw himself in a similar role as Christian Emperor.Constantine had three churches built in Rome. His church of the John Lateran was built on a site without any special associations. His churches of St. Peter and St. Paul are said to be build on the traditional sites of the apostle’s martyrdom or burial.The basilica style was used by the Emperor for his first church, St. John Lateran, and in all the main centers of the Empire this style of church building was copied. The basilica pattern made it easier for the distinction between the clergy and the lay people to be made. The basilica pattern had the apse reserved for the clergy, and those not actively taking part in the service sat on a bench against the wall. There was also a throne set up in the center for the bishop, and this chief seat reflected his position as a loyal Roman imperial servant as much as a pastor of the flock. This same style has been incorporated in most all of the Protestant Church Denominations as well.Church buildings became the means of all Christian Churches by which the people of God could be divided into clergy and laity, professional and amateurs. Just as the Pharisees of the New Testament began about the same time that the Jewish people began building synagogues, the Christian clergy began with the building of separate church buildings.Like the Pharisees who separated themselves from the rest of the Jewish people, and became the teachers of the synagogues, the church buildings gave a place for those that would elevate themselves above the rest of the people of God. Just as the Pharisees taught interpretations of God's laws some teachers today teach their interpretation of what God wants man to do, and believe, in order to be saved. Their ideas form the basis for their belief system. A personal humble and trusting relationship with Jesus in a person's heart is not taught as the core to being a Christian.Are we really supposed to think that Jesus Christ come to set up just another established organized religion ran by men who can deceive themselves? I, personally, don't think so since he said that the time will come, after his death, when man will not say, let us go here, or there, to worship God, for man will worship God from within his heart. In other words, a personal worship of God whose spirit is living within the hearts of those who love him. (JOHN 4:21-24)Paul never taught that the church was a separate "entity" from the children of God. He taught that the church exists in the hearts of the children of God. Jesus said,John 17:20-2320 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;21 "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.22 "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:23 "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.(NKJ)We are “in Christ” and Christ is in us and we are all in the Father. Don’t let the physical church ran by men keep you from having this close relationship with God.Richard

(waquinas;55702)
"to at first seek the truth of scripture and then measure up everything else against it"and where do we go to do that?
God's words in the scriptures.

As stated in the OP: "Paul never taught that the church was a separate "entity" from the children of God. He taught that the church exists in the hearts of the children of God.Many look at the churches and think of them as a separate "entity."

(waquinas;55721)
Are you saying that each and every one of us, with no outside influence in our life ever in this regard, should be able to pick up and read the Bible to then discern what is true then compare these truths we each arrive at independently with everything else any one presents?
If you don't believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in this world then you will feel that your salvation is based on what men say. When you do this then your faith is in what men tell you, not God.When I became a child of God, at an early age, I listened to what men said in religions and THEN I SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES TO SEE IF IT WAS TRUE.It was revealed to me, by the Holy Spirit, that based on the Bible, many things men taught were not true.

(waquinas;55775)
Richard,Asked a simple question and said nothing about the Holy Spirit not working in the world. Of course the Spirit is working in the world and in men's hearts.Marksman said we should seek ourselves, asked where and you replied scriptures. Happen to agree reading the Bible is a good thing. Do not agree it is sufficient by itself or even really what most of us do in regards to forming an opinion about what is true. On occassion in history people have revealed a "new" "truth" but that has been the exception not the rule and is sometimes seen at the start of another denomination. People like Luther/Calvin/White/Smith come to mind from recent history.I then asked if you meant without any outside influence (teachings of men) and your answer was a little ambiguous. You said you listened and then searched scripture to see if what you heard was true. Forgive me but from own experience am a little skeptical that we could first listen to men and then discern for ourselves without some influence on us from what we heard or read (and that could go either way - influence against a particular teaching or for). Our minds are like sponges, especially at younger ages and everything we heard or read has influence on our reading of scripture. Which is why the statement "teachings of men" is just a slap in the face disguised as something holier-than-thou sounding. Am assuming you left Churches were you found them to not be teaching the truth as "you found" it in scripture, but that might be assuming too much. We should think most people would leave eventually, especially if there were enough things being taught that we felt were untrue.Lets' say it is true that God's desire is that the Spirit would guide each individual that is seeking truth for themselves more or less independently of all that men teach and enlighten them as you said the Spirit has enlightened you personally (and that is a good thing). If that is God's desire it then occurs to me that we as Christians would tend to agree on most things. As we do not agree on most things I can think of only two possibilities. One that this is not God's desire for us each to be individuals in seeking what is true or it is not the same Spirit guiding all of us. I tend to think for the most part, it is the former. Besides, the statement "read scripture" and "find the truth" for yourself is not really what the people saying that have done, nor is it what they really mean when they say it to another Christian. It is just another slap in the face. If I do not loose patience I prefer to just say we do not agree the Bible says that.The Bible itself suggests we should not study scripture without guidance and even cannot really be expected to understand it without it. Also clear we are to remember what we were taught from men (granted which men becomes a problem for us today).
I understand where you are coming from. But I would like to remind you that The Holy Spirit "is God" and He is at work in the hearts of men. But some do not think God (the Holy Spirit) has any power in this world and since He doesn't then salvation comes from the teachings of Men.You said: "The Bible itself suggests we should not study scripture without guidance and even cannot really be expected to understand it without it."You also said: "If that is God's desire it then occurs to me that we as Christians would tend to agree on most things. As we do not agree on most things I can think of only two possibilities. One that this is not God's desire for us each to be individuals in seeking what is true or it is not the same Spirit guiding all of us. I tend to think for the most part, it is the former. You make a great assumption that all Christians are children of God. You must remember that most all persecutions of children of God come from those some of those same Christians you mention.It is the Holy Spirit that teaches the children of God about God. I have often wondered what men think faith in God really means. My faith is in His power to lead and teach me. And He has.John 10:25-3025 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.30 I and My Father are one." NKJVI believe the above with all my heart. He has taught me that men use human wisdom interpreting the Bible, or other religious books, to build up an organized system in which he can place the responsibility for his salvation. They usually include things that men have to do. Most people feel that if they, belong to the "right church or religious organization", go to the meetings, spend some time there, and try to live a good lifestyle they are okay with God. Their only relationship with God is through their religious organization and what they do. But God looks into the heart and he knows those that trust Him. As for man's wisdom I quote 1 Corinthians 2, verses 1 through 5 from the Living Bible to see what Paul said about man's wisdom. " Dear Brothers, even when I first came to you I didn't use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God's message. For I decided that I would speak only of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. I came to you in weakness - timid and trembling. And my preaching was very plain, not with a lot of oratory and human wisdom, but the Holy Spirit's power was in my words, proving to those who heard them that the message was from God. I did this because I wanted your faith to stand firmly upon God, not on man's great ideas."My faith is firmly planted in God and His power to save and keep me; in His work of salvation on the cross. According to the scriptures I read in the Bible, placing my faith in men is building a foundation on sand.You believe in the teachings of men if you wish. That is your right. But it is my right to trust in God and not men.Now it will be said that the Apostles (including Paul) were men. That is correct and according to what I read in the scriptures they were men that personally knew Jesus. Their writings are what Jesus gave to me and they are all I need as a witness to what God wants me to know.John 15:26-27 and 16:426 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. Jesus Warns and Comforts His DisciplesJohn 16:1-41 "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.NKJVThere are some on this forum that want to drive me away and they are adding to my rewards in heaven.But men can trust in men if they wish, but I will not. My God is more powerful than men and has already given me the victory in Christ, not in the religions of men. I do not teach religion, I teach what God has accomplished for mankind through His Son on the cross. I teach that they should have faith, trust, confidence and hope in the power of God as shown on the cross.Richard

(marksman;55782)
Quite the opposite. Meeting in homes means that you can grow as quick and as big as you want to without logistical impediments. Current evangelistic thinking is that the quickest way to grow the church is to plant a church in every street...in homes. Many churches are adopting this methodology because it requires no clergy, no buildings, no large maintenance costs and no programmes, just people filled wih the holy spirit who have a passion for the lost and a heart for people. I think that you will find that they met in the temple courts because it was the venue where people could discuss whatever they wanted to discuss. In the case of the followers of Jesus they went there to bring the good news of the Messiah, not to sing hymns, have communion and hear sermons. I don't know where you get this idea that teaching what the scripture says brings people into bondage. Since God prophesied that I was to teach the word and the word only, I have found such a joy and release to be set free from the bondage of tradition which very rarely is based on the truth. You have by implication.And of course there is the third reason. We are not listening to the Holy Spirit because we have more faith in tradition. In my previous church they were embarking on a course that was contrary to scripture. I set out what the scripture said about the topic and their response was "go away we are not interested". Not "your exposition of scripture was wrong because..." They didn't want to know because to accept what the scripture taught would have meant that they would have to rewrite the constitution of the denomination.If they had done that quite a few people would have to give up their position of power and authority, not least the State leader who refused to discuss the subject with me. That doesn't sound like a man being guided by the Holy Spirit. It is surprising how little faith we have in the Holy Spirit's ability to guide us. It is evident that we tend to look at things through the eyes of personal experience and then see what we can find to substantiate that and make it palatable or acceptable.The scriptures say that the Holy Spirit wil lead us into ALL truth (without qualification). If he does not, it is our fault not his. Having been released from having to be guided by tradition and other people's viewpoint I find that the law of the spirit of life sets me free from the law of sin and death.Does that mean I don't listen to others? No of course not. I have recently complete a comprehesive study of the New Testament Church from scripture. Then I grabbed any book I could that had been written on the topic, over 40. Nearly everything that I have been shown by the Holy Spirit in my study, was shown to all the authors I read. My selection was random so I cannot be guilty of bias in looking for those who agree with me. It embraced catholic, anglican, pentecostal, evangelical, reformed theologians and university study.
You said: "It is surprising how little faith we have in the Holy Spirit's ability to guide us. It is evident that we tend to look at things through the eyes of personal experience and then see what we can find to substantiate that and make it palatable or acceptable.You got it right marksman.May God bless you.Richard

(waquinas;55834)
One fact of life is that we as humans were designed to work together. We can accomplish so much more as an organized group than individuals. Am pretty sure God knows this. One of the major responsibilities of the Church from the beginning has always been the care of the poor, elderly, widowed, those in need and children. Yes we could all do something on our own from home or small groups, but never to the level possible as a united whole in the community. I do think many Churches have lost that view, but many still have it.
To a degee you are right. However, there is so much greed in these world organizations that more than half of the money never gets to those that need it.However, you have to remember that it was the people in the Jewish religion, as a group, that cried out, "crucify Him."

(waquinas;55809)
Richard,I like my Church's view that we are all God's children, all decendents of Adam. Sure some will be found to be goats in the end, but who am I to judge. All should be welcome. And I have always rather assumed the best of all people rather than assume the are all lost and evil.We are in the same boat as far as not feelimg welcome here, but it seems as long as I do not say too much in defense of my views they leave me alone. I do not agree that all wisdom is bad. God gave us smarts to use it and there a plenty smarter than me. So it makes sense to me that part of the plan here would require us needing help from others in discerning truth.
Listening to others is not bad "IF" you don't just accept what they say without searching God's word for yourself and asking God to let you see the truth. Then weight that truth with the gospel of God's grace as expressed in His work on the cross.