FIRST CENTURY INSTITUTIONS
During the first century A.D. the people lived in an environment dominated by Judaism. Most were poor and lived off the land. Although Saul of Tarsus came from a “well-to-do” family; nonetheless, he grew up in this environment. Bible readers are aware that God, in the past, changed the names of some men and women; however, there is no indication, in the Bible, that He changed Saul’s name. In fact, the Bible makes no mention of Saul’s name ever being changed. It simply states, “Then Saul, who is also called Paul…” (Acts 13:9) The significance of this statement is that Paul possessed two names. The custom, in those days, was to give a Roman name to those who were born Roman citizens; however, his mother was a devout Jew, and, no doubt, gave her son a Hebrew name, too. For reasons unknown, during his later life, Paul chose to use his Roman name rather than his Hebrew name. There were four institutions, which were very important to the Jews: the home, the Sanhedrin Court, the Synagogue and the Temple. THE HOME The home began with a marriage relationship between a man and a woman. The betrothal [An engagement to be married] could not be broken short of a divorce. Although the couple was considered married at the time of the betrothal, they did not live together nor have sexual relations until after the marriage ceremony, which commonly took place a year later. In Jewish homes the husband was recognized as the head of the family, but the wife was honored and respected. Although the father possessed authority in the home, the mother commonly controlled the purse. The children were considered blessings from God, and treated as such. Baby boys were favored over girl babies; however, God’s will was respected regardless Education was important, especially religious teaching and training, which was a part of their daily activity in the home. …show more content…
Formal education usually began in the synagogue at the age of six years. The Pentateuch [The first five books of the Old Testament] was studied beginning with Leviticus.
THE SANHEDRIN COURT
The second major institution of the Jews was the Sanhedrin court, which was made up of seventy Jewish men and was presided over by the High Priest. Both Pharisees and Sadducees served on the Sanhedrin. This court can only be traced back to about 200 B.C.; yet, it likely had its beginning as the Jerusalem city council during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah; about 430 B.C.. The Sanhedrin, with the approval of the Roman government, had all authority over the Jews, including the death sentence; however, only the Roman government could execute capital punishment. The Sanhedrin met daily except on the Sabbath.
Paul stated that when Christians were put to death, he cast his vote against them (Acts 26: 10); however, voting privileges were restricted to members of the Sanhedrin. And, it is no little interest that the Sanhedrin was made up of married men. Of course, Paul was unmarried at the time of his evangelistic work. THE SYNAGOGUE Another institution which was important to the Jews was the Synagogue and its functions. Although there is only one specific mention of the Synagogue in the Old Testament (Psalms 74:8), it seems to have originated during the Babylonian captivity. The Jews of the exile needed mutual encouragement to remain faithful to God. The Temple was destroyed in 586 B.C. and by the first century there was at least one synagogue in almost every city. James suggested that they had been around for many generations. (Acts 15:21) Any location populated with at least ten adult male Jews qualified for a Synagogue. The chief purpose of the Synagogue was not public worship; nonetheless, Christians did gather in the Synagogue to study the Old Testament scriptures. When Jesus came to His home town, Nazareth, and entered the Synagogue He stood up and read from Isaiah. (Luke 4:16f) and the sermon followed the reading of the prophets. (Acts 13:15) Paul often preached in the Synagogues and they often served as places of worship for Christians. During the public worship services, the congregation was divided, the men on one side and the women on the other.
During the first century A.D. the people lived in an environment dominated by Judaism. Most were poor and lived off the land. Although Saul of Tarsus came from a “well-to-do” family; nonetheless, he grew up in this environment. Bible readers are aware that God, in the past, changed the names of some men and women; however, there is no indication, in the Bible, that He changed Saul’s name. In fact, the Bible makes no mention of Saul’s name ever being changed. It simply states, “Then Saul, who is also called Paul…” (Acts 13:9) The significance of this statement is that Paul possessed two names. The custom, in those days, was to give a Roman name to those who were born Roman citizens; however, his mother was a devout Jew, and, no doubt, gave her son a Hebrew name, too. For reasons unknown, during his later life, Paul chose to use his Roman name rather than his Hebrew name. There were four institutions, which were very important to the Jews: the home, the Sanhedrin Court, the Synagogue and the Temple. THE HOME The home began with a marriage relationship between a man and a woman. The betrothal [An engagement to be married] could not be broken short of a divorce. Although the couple was considered married at the time of the betrothal, they did not live together nor have sexual relations until after the marriage ceremony, which commonly took place a year later. In Jewish homes the husband was recognized as the head of the family, but the wife was honored and respected. Although the father possessed authority in the home, the mother commonly controlled the purse. The children were considered blessings from God, and treated as such. Baby boys were favored over girl babies; however, God’s will was respected regardless Education was important, especially religious teaching and training, which was a part of their daily activity in the home. …show more content…
Formal education usually began in the synagogue at the age of six years. The Pentateuch [The first five books of the Old Testament] was studied beginning with Leviticus.
THE SANHEDRIN COURT
The second major institution of the Jews was the Sanhedrin court, which was made up of seventy Jewish men and was presided over by the High Priest. Both Pharisees and Sadducees served on the Sanhedrin. This court can only be traced back to about 200 B.C.; yet, it likely had its beginning as the Jerusalem city council during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah; about 430 B.C.. The Sanhedrin, with the approval of the Roman government, had all authority over the Jews, including the death sentence; however, only the Roman government could execute capital punishment. The Sanhedrin met daily except on the Sabbath.
Paul stated that when Christians were put to death, he cast his vote against them (Acts 26: 10); however, voting privileges were restricted to members of the Sanhedrin. And, it is no little interest that the Sanhedrin was made up of married men. Of course, Paul was unmarried at the time of his evangelistic work. THE SYNAGOGUE Another institution which was important to the Jews was the Synagogue and its functions. Although there is only one specific mention of the Synagogue in the Old Testament (Psalms 74:8), it seems to have originated during the Babylonian captivity. The Jews of the exile needed mutual encouragement to remain faithful to God. The Temple was destroyed in 586 B.C. and by the first century there was at least one synagogue in almost every city. James suggested that they had been around for many generations. (Acts 15:21) Any location populated with at least ten adult male Jews qualified for a Synagogue. The chief purpose of the Synagogue was not public worship; nonetheless, Christians did gather in the Synagogue to study the Old Testament scriptures. When Jesus came to His home town, Nazareth, and entered the Synagogue He stood up and read from Isaiah. (Luke 4:16f) and the sermon followed the reading of the prophets. (Acts 13:15) Paul often preached in the Synagogues and they often served as places of worship for Christians. During the public worship services, the congregation was divided, the men on one side and the women on the other.