The Bridge Builders Forum Were Paul's Churches Actually Synagogues?
Were Paul’s churches actually synagogue sub-groups?
We usually imagine Paul planting “Christian churches” that were completely separate from Judaism — but that’s not likely how Paul saw it.
In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, Ryan Lambert explores a game-changing possibility: that Paul’s “churches” were actually assemblies meeting within Jewish synagogues — not outside of them.
You’ll discover:
Why Paul’s Gentile followers could only worship Israel’s God within synagogue life
Why synagogues were the only place they could learn and interpret the Jewish Scriptures
Why Paul expected Gentiles to observe Torah-based practices like Passover (1 Cor 5)
How Romans 11 confirms ongoing connection to the Jewish community
What this means for Jewish-Christian relations today
This is not about erasing differences — it’s about better understanding Paul’s actual vision, which was far more connected, humble, and rooted in Jewish communal life than many assume.
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