29.03.2013 Views

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Keneseth. lliese are <strong>the</strong> rulers (Pamasim)^ or<br />

shepherds (iroi^vss). <strong>The</strong>re can be no question<br />

(from <strong>the</strong> inscriptions on <strong>the</strong> Jewish tombstones in<br />

Rome),* that <strong>the</strong> Archisynagogos^ was chief<br />

among <strong>the</strong> rulers, <strong>and</strong> that, whe<strong>the</strong>r or not <strong>the</strong>re<br />

was, as in <strong>the</strong> community at Home, <strong>and</strong> probably<br />

also among <strong>the</strong> dispersed in <strong>the</strong> West, besides him,<br />

a sort <strong>of</strong> political chief <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> elders, or<br />

Geramiarch.^ All <strong>the</strong> rulers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Synagogue were<br />

duly examined as to <strong>the</strong>ir knowledge, <strong>and</strong> ordained<br />

to <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice. <strong>The</strong>y formed <strong>the</strong> local Sanhedrin or<br />

tribunal. But <strong>the</strong>ir election depended on <strong>the</strong> choice<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> congregation ; <strong>and</strong> absence <strong>of</strong> pride, as ulso<br />

gentleness <strong>and</strong> humility, are mentioned as special<br />

qualifications.** Sometimes <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice was held by<br />

regular teachers.*<br />

If, as in Rome, <strong>the</strong>re was an apparently unordained<br />

eldership (Geroiisla), it had probably only <strong>the</strong><br />

charge <strong>of</strong> outward affidrs, <strong>and</strong> acted ra<strong>the</strong>r as a<br />

committee <strong>of</strong> management. Indeed, in foreign<br />

Synagogues, <strong>the</strong> rulers seem to have been chosen,<br />

sometimes for a specified period, at o<strong>the</strong>rs for life.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!