Difference between Church and Synagogue

[Paidiske]

If you can go to Italy ,France ,Spain ,or Greece to see the beauty of the churches , the towns created around the Church ,and apart from some short periods of time, a kind of 'heaven on earth ' ,which is being eroded by capitalism , an invention of England , which reached it's zenith in the U.S., and is ravaging the world , because of it's extremely individualistic narcissism , a very evangelical protestant thing .

Actually, I think you could say capitalism was invented by the Swiss (the first to allow Christians to lend at interest). But to argue that pre-capitalist (feudal) society was "heaven on earth" is to overlook some of the significant problems with that social structure too.

Now, I don't disagree that individualism is bad, or that it is now a particularly Western illness. But to associate that with a particular nation or group of denominations is not really fair.

More to the point, the OP is in Israel; it would be more helpful to focus on what's available to him there.

 

[Pools]

Hahahah, @Paidiske, its okay - I don't need you to tell others for me what to focus on, just because of where I'm from. They can focus on whatever they see fit; I appreciate any advice or useful information anyways. And I have understood the differences between the two more or less.

There are churches over here as well but I never took the time to check them out. I'm not a very religious christian and even if I wanted to become, it's difficult when the Christian community over here is so small.

 

[Pools]

There may be singing, praise, praying, Bible reading, testimonials about what God has done for people, sermons/homilies, and church business announcements. There were sometimes concerts, church picnics, youth group activities, married couple groups, single groups, people from church visiting nursing homes or prisons. It depends on the church. Some churches organized trips to Israel to tour the Holy Land.

Does the average church has all of these things? Are there like certain activites that all Churches have regardless of the type of church it is, etc.?

I've no idea how these things are done, how long, in what order, etc.

I hope you enjoyed your organized trip to Israel back in the day; what year was that? so you came over to see the holy sites around Jerusalem and all that? Were you excited?

 

[Paidiske]

Are there like certain activites that all Churches have regardless of the type of church it is, etc.?

Very few; Christianity is very diverse. I would say that Bible reading might be the only thing I would expect to happen in just about every church. The rest varies a great deal.

I notice you didn't answer my question about whether you've been baptised? I would think seeking baptism might be a good starting point for you to get a better insight into the churches around you.

 

[Pools]

Very few; Christianity is very diverse. I would say that Bible reading might be the only thing I would expect to happen in just about every church. The rest varies a great deal.

I notice you didn't answer my question about whether you've been baptised? I would think seeking baptism might be a good starting point for you to get a better insight into the churches around you.

Jump in water then come out? Sorry, I don't even remember what baptism is or what its for. I know this thing existed when I used to be jewish, is it same thing? -

Mikveh - Wikipedia

I'm in no hurry to do anything but yeah I'd like to learn new things like these.

Does the priest read the bible for everyone aloud in church or every guest reads individiually?

what's difference between cleric, priest, bishop, pastor, pope, etc.? are these ranks just like in a military - sergeant, colonel, marshall, commander, general, etc.?

 

[Paidiske]

Baptism can be similar to the mikveh in what you do, but its purpose is different. Baptism is only done once, as we commit ourselves to live as Christians, and as we receive the promises of God to us in Christ.

The apostle Paul put it like this in the letter to the Romans:

"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."

It is usually the point of formally and publicly becoming a Christian. If you haven't done this, I strongly encourage you to consider doing so.

Who reads the Bible in worship services, and how that is done, varies between churches. Usually it is read aloud, but some groups - like the Society of Friends - might read individually.

On clergy, partly the difference is one of different denominations. But even within a denomination there can be different "orders" of clergy. You could kind of think of them like rank, but that implies a chain of command, and it's not exactly like that, either. So in my denomination (Anglican) we have deacons, priests, and bishops; and these different clergy have different roles and functions. But other denominations might call their clergy by different titles.

 

[seashale76]

Hi everyone, sorry to bother you. I hope you don't mind if I ask another question.

So, I am a relatively new Christian from a Jewish background. I started conversion about a year and a half ago and I'm doing fine in generally, but I didn't have much time throughout to go to a church much. I grew up near Jerusalem and there aren't many Churches here, but there are about one or two near my neighbourhood for the present small Christian community.

I was hoping to find out what is the difference between the two. As I understand, both are meant for prayer; but, is a Church is for other purposes as well other than prayer? What else does people go to a church for, etc.? I have only been to a church twice in the past year and half, and all I did was participate in the main praying stage, but I had no idea what it's all about and what else does people do inside.

At one- the feasts are fulfilled- whilst at the other they are not. You can only get the Eucharist at one. At only one can a person be baptized into Christ. At only one can you experience Christ in you. This is not metaphorical- but quite literal.

 

[seashale76]

My ultimate advice is to come and see. Go visit a Divine Liturgy. Talk to a priest. Ask about converting and getting baptized. Learn about the faith you're confessing.
JERUSALEM PATRIARCHATE

 

[All4Christ]

I agree with @seashale76 . Check out Av Aleksandr Winogradsky Frenkel’s parish if you get a chance.

 

[Meowzltov]

Hi everyone, sorry to bother you. I hope you don't mind if I ask another question.

So, I am a relatively new Christian from a Jewish background. I started conversion about a year and a half ago and I'm doing fine in generally, but I didn't have much time throughout to go to a church much. I grew up near Jerusalem and there aren't many Churches here, but there are about one or two near my neighbourhood for the present small Christian community.

I was hoping to find out what is the difference between the two. As I understand, both are meant for prayer; but, is a Church is for other purposes as well other than prayer? What else does people go to a church for, etc.? I have only been to a church twice in the past year and half, and all I did was participate in the main praying stage, but I had no idea what it's all about and what else does people do inside.

In a nutshell, a synagogue is where folks follow Judaism (including Messianic Judaism) and a church is where people follow Gentile Christianity.

Since you are a Jew (as am I) as well as a fellow believer in Christ, let me encourage you to attend a Messianic Synagogue if there is one in your area. It will allow you to worship God as he has revealed himself in Jesus Christ, and yet help you maintain your Jewish identity through keeping Jewish traditions (such as shabbat worship).

 

[DennisTate]

Speaking of messianic jews, are they regarded as Christians who simply wish to retain the jewish traditions, etc., or are just normal jews who are aware of who the messiah is?

The concept is very confusing me; because Judaism claims Jesus didnt have what it takes to be the awaited messiah, so you cant consider yourself a jew if you accept him as a messiah. scriptures described this somewhere...

I took my daughter to church today.... there were three hymns first...... then a sermon..... then another hymn at the end.....

At this time we Christians are facing the question of support for the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Third Temple.

I believe that there is going to be quite a shift between Jews and Christians as the time to accomplish this gets closer.

I quote a prediction on this in post #1 here:

Do you believe a massive Holy Spirit tsunami is coming?