Evidence of the New Covenant Rabbi

The destruction of Solomon’s Temple in 586 BC, caused the Levitical priesthood to be displaced by synagogues (congregations or assemblies) and rabbis, men who because of their devotion to righteous behavior and deep study of the Old Testament were ordained by their congregations to function as their anointed shepherds, teachers and judges. The authority of these old covenant communities and their rabbis continued to be recognized as legitimate not only after the restoration of the Temple and priesthood, but during the time of Christ.[1] New Testament evidence strongly suggests “rabbi” remains the appropriate title for those serving as the anointed shepherds, teachers and judges of the new covenant community, the church. 1. Jesus established the synagogues – or congregations led by rabbis that existed in His day as the model for His new covenant churches (congregations). 1.1. (Joh 4:21-24) (21) “neither on this mountain [Mt. Gerizim – the site of the Samaritan temple] nor in Jerusalem [the site of Israel’s Temple] will you worship the Father” = God’s location will no longer be a single place fixed on a sacred mountain. IOW: no more temples (22) “Salvation is from the Jews” = God’s salvation or Savior (Messiah – v25-26) is only for Jews and their religion (Judaism) (Heb 2:16). (23-24) “an hour is coming and now is” = The model for New Covenant Judaism’s people and place of worship are already in existence. They are identified by two things: 1) “spirit” = Entering into worship will only be afforded to spiritual Jews (versus the Temple which excluded all but ethnic Jews. IOW: no Gentile proselytes were allowed into its inner courts of worship) (Rom 2:27). 2) “truth” = The focus of worship will be the teaching of Scripture (versus the Temple where the focus is the sacrifices of the priesthood) (Joh 17:17). 1.2. What people and places of worship already existed that fit the things mentioned by Jesus (not a temple, not therefore associated with the priests, entering into worship was available to all who are spiritual Jews, and the focus of worship is the teaching of Scripture)? The first century synagogues (congregations, assemblies) who welcomed into worship Gentiles converts (i.e., Gentiles who became spiritual Jews) and whose focus was the teaching of Scripture by their rabbis.2. Jesus and the apostles carried the title of Rabbi which implies they were training and ordaining their disciples to become rabbis as the leaders and planters of new covenant churches.2.1. Jesus was called “Rabbi” (Mat 26:25, 49; Mar 9:5, 11:21; Joh 1:38, 3:2, 4:31, 6:25, 9:2, 11:8; hence the reason Jesus is allowed to teach in the synagogues [e.g., Luk 4:15]. Only Rabbis were allowed to teach in the synagogues).[2]2.2. That Jesus was indeed a rabbi is also supported by His: 1) speech when correcting false teaching (Mat 5:21-22, 27-28, 33-34, 38-39)= According to Dr. David Daube, this repeated formula (“you have heard that it was said…but I say to you”) was the calling card of the rabbis.[3] 2) posture when teaching (Mat 5:1-2; Mat 13:1-3a; Luk 4:16 w/20-21) = According to Dr. David Sedaca, sitting while teaching was the invention of the rabbis.[4] 2.3. Jesus employs the master-slave/teacher-disciple language used by rabbis in His addresses to the twelve (e.g., Mat 10:24-27; Luk 6:40). 2.4. The fact that the twelve lived with Jesus and provided for His needs (e.g., Joh 4:8 w/31 “the disciples were urging him saying, ‘Rabbi eat’”) also points to their discipleship being that of rabbi trainees.[5]2.5. Matthew and John’s mention of Jesus anointing the eleven with authority as the church’s first leaders would have been understood by first century readers as a Rabbi ordaining His young disciples as junior rabbis (Joh 20:21-23 = The combination of sending and receiving of the HS indicates ordination/anointing to ministry. The authority to forgive sins is what is meant by binding and loosing in Mat 16:17-19 = The phrase “binding and loosing” was unique to the ancient rabbis and a reference to their authority as judges in penal cases). [6] 2.6. Similar to the other apostles, Paul received training as a rabbi (Act 22:3 “educated under Gamaliel”) = Gamaliel was a Rabbi and the president (Heb., nasi) of the Sanhedrin (Babylonian Talmud: Shab. 15a). To be educated by him, meant that Paul was his disciple – i.e., that he was trained by him to be a Rabbi according to the theological and hermeneutical convictions of the Pharisees (in contrast to the Sadducees; Act 5:34 w/Act 23:6). As a result, Paul (like Jesus) was allowed to teach in the synagogues (Act 13:14-16ff). 2.7. Paul’s constant push to be in the homes of his disciples - as well as his call for them to imitate his life, further supports his rabbinical identity given those ordained as rabbis were the only ones considered legitimate enough to makes such demands (Act 20:20; Rom 15:24, 28-29; 1Co 11:1; Phi 3:17, ...