Synagogues and the Spread of Christian Beliefs
What do Synagogues have to do with the spread of Christian beliefs? If you are asking yourself this question, then you probably need to reread the Book of Acts. Early believers in Jesus were all members of synagogues, and wherever they went, those affiliations continued to play an essential role in their spiritual lives. Consequently, early churches, when they emerged, resembled home synagogues in many ways. This is Part 2 of a longer conversation with Dr. Parker in which we discuss the early Jewish Church.
Israel Bible Podcast is produced by my colleague Dr. Cyndi Parker.
Jewish Ecclesia in Acts (~1hr)
The book of Acts mentions the church, which is a translation of the Greek word “ecclesia.” This Greek term is ancient, but the word “church” is actually not. Where does this new word come from? What does it mean? How did the early Christ-followers see and describe themselves? Look deeper
Pinchas Shir
Ancient Judaism and Christian Origins by George Nickelsburg
In his book Ancient Judaism and Christian Origins, Professor George Nickelsburg examines the historical, religious, and social contexts of Second Temple Judaism (roughly 516 BCE to 70 CE) and how they influenced early Christianity. Nickelsburg explores topics like Jewish beliefs, messianic expectations, scriptural interpretations, and apocalyptic literature, showing how these
Pinchas Shir