Interpreting Biblical Examples Through the Lens of Community
Interpreting Biblical Examples Through the Lens of Community
The concept of community is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, with various passages emphasizing its significance in the lives of believers. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew people were considered a holy community, held together by religious rather than political bonds [3]. The term "congregation" (Heb. kahal) referred to the collective body of Hebrew people, with every circumcised Hebrew from twenty years old and upward being a member [4].
The Dead Sea Scrolls, particularly the Community Rule (Serekh ha-Yahad), provide insight into the understanding of community in ancient Jewish thought. The Community Rule outlines the rules and regulations for a specific Jewish sect, emphasizing the importance of living a righteous life, practicing truth, righteousness, and justice, and abstaining from evil [1]. The community was governed by a council of twelve men and three Priests, who were expected to preserve the faith in the Land [2].
In the New Testament, the concept of community continues to be significant. The early Christian community, as described in Acts 2:42-47, was characterized by devotion to the apostolic teaching, fellowship, sharing, joy, and praise [7]. The Tyndale House commentary on Matthew 18:5 highlights Jesus' emphasis on solidarity within the community, where welcoming a humble follower of Jesus is equivalent to welcoming Jesus himself [6].
The biblical concept of community is not limited to the collective body of believers but also encompasses the individual's relationship with God within that community. The Community Rule emphasizes the importance of seeking God with a whole heart and soul, doing good and right before Him, and loving all that He has chosen [1]. In 2 Corinthians 9:13, John Gill notes that the generosity of the Gentile churches towards the poor saints at Jerusalem resulted in the glorification of God, demonstrating the connection between community and worship [5].
The understanding of community in biblical interpretation is not uniform across traditions. While the Protestant academic tradition emphasizes the importance of community in biblical teachings, the Baptist/Reformed tradition highlights the role of community in demonstrating God's glory [5]. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, though not directly represented in the sources, likely views community as an essential aspect of the Church's life and worship.
The biblical examples of community, both in the Old and New Testaments, serve as a foundation for understanding the significance of community in Christian thought. By examining these examples through the lens of community, believers can gain a deeper appreciation for the role of communal life in their faith.
Sources
- Dead Sea Scrolls “Community Rule (Serekh ha-Yahad) (c. 100-75 BCE), section 1: THE COMMUNITY RULE Translated by G. Vermes 1QS COL.I . . . Book of the Community Rule, that they may seek 2. God with a whole heart and soul. and do good and right before Him as 3. He commanded by the hand of Moses and all His servants the Prophets; that they may love 4. all that He has chosen and hate all that he has rejected; that they may abstain from all evil and 5. hold fast to all good; that they may practise truth, righteousness, and justice 6. upon earth and no longer stubbornly follow a sinful heart and lustful eyes committi”
- Dead Sea Scrolls “Community Rule (Serekh ha-Yahad) (c. 100-75 BCE), section 13: the stubbornness of his heart, he shall return no more to the Council of the Community. Moreover, if any member 23. of the Community has shared with 24. him his food or property which . . . of the Congregation, his sentence shall be the same; he shall be ex[pelled]. COL.VIII 1. In the Council of the Community there shall be twelve men and three Priests, perfectly versed in all that is revealed of 2. the Law, whose works shall be truth, righteousness, justice, loving kindness and humility. They shall 3. preserve the faith in the Land”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Congregation — This describes the Hebrew people in its collective capacity under its peculiar aspect as a holy community, held together by religious rather than political bonds. Sometimes it is used in a broad sense as inclusive of foreign settlers, (Exodus 12:19) but more properly as exclusively appropriate to the Hebrew element of the population. (Numbers 15:15) The congregation was governed by the father or head of each family and tribe. The number of these representatives being inconveniently large for ordinary business, a further selection was made by Moses of 70”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Congregation — (Heb. kahal), the Hebrew people collectively as a holy community (Num. 15:15). Every circumcised Hebrew from twenty years old and upward was a member of the congregation. Strangers resident in the land, if circumcised, were, with certain exceptions (Ex. 12:19; Num. 9:14; Deut. 23:1-3), admitted to the privileges of citizenship, and spoken of as members of the congregation (Ex. 12:19; Num. 9:14; 15:15). The congregation were summonded together by the sound of two silver trumpets, and they met at the door of the tabernacle (Num. 10:3). These assemblies w”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 18:5: 18:5 Jesus moved the discussion toward solidarity within the community; to welcome a humble follower of Jesus is to welcome Jesus himself (see 10:40-42).”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 2:42: 2:42-47 Luke makes a clear connection between personal faith and membership in the Christian community. Life in this new community involved devotion to the apostolic teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, sharing, joy, and praise, and it resulted in the Lord’s continuing to add to their number those who were being saved. 2:42 fellowship: Greek koinōnia, a close mutual relationship and participation in life together. • At this stage, prayer probably included participation in the formal prayers of the Temple (see 3:1).”