You're confusing synagogues now with then. Christianity originally was considered to be just a sect of judaism. Proselytes of the gate (look up that term) who worshiped in synagogues and who believed in Christ received gospel teaching in the synagogues until they were kicked out. Plug proselytes of the gate into ChatGPT
Here is what Chat GPT had to say on that subject.
The term "
proselytes of the gate" refers to Gentiles who were not fully converted to Judaism but who adhered to certain aspects of Jewish law and worshipped the God of Israel. In the New Testament, this concept overlaps with the idea of "God-fearers," Gentiles who respected and worshipped the God of Israel but did not fully convert to Judaism, such as through circumcision.
Early Gentile Christians and Synagogue Attendance
The New Testament indicates that early Gentile Christians often engaged with Jewish synagogues, especially during the initial phases of the Christian movement:
- Paul's Pattern of Ministry:
- Paul regularly began his ministry in new cities by going to the synagogue to preach to Jews and God-fearing Gentiles. For example:
- Acts 13:14-16: Paul and Barnabas preached in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch.
- Acts 17:1-4: Paul reasoned in the synagogue at Thessalonica, where "some of them were persuaded, along with a great multitude of the God-fearing Greeks."
- Acts 18:4: Paul "reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks" in Corinth.
- These examples suggest that synagogues were key locations for outreach to both Jews and Gentile God-fearers.
- God-fearers in the Synagogue:
- God-fearers were often present in synagogues, as seen with Cornelius, a Gentile centurion described as "a devout man who feared God" (Acts 10:1-2). Cornelius received the gospel through Peter and became one of the first Gentile Christians.
- Lydia, a "worshiper of God," encountered Paul near a place of prayer, likely associated with Jewish worship (Acts 16:13-14).
Transition to Gentile Assemblies
As the number of Gentile Christians grew and tensions arose between Jewish authorities and the Christian movement, Gentile Christians increasingly formed their own gatherings, distinct from synagogues:
- House Churches:
- Gentile Christians began meeting in homes, as indicated in passages like:
- Romans 16:5: "Greet the church that is in their house."
- 1 Corinthians 16:19: "Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house."
- These house churches were a practical and communal way for Christians, including Gentiles, to gather for worship, teaching, and fellowship.
- Conflict and Separation:
- Early Christians often faced resistance and expulsion from synagogues. For example:
- Acts 13:50: Paul and Barnabas were driven out of the region after their success in preaching to Gentiles.
- Acts 18:6-7: After opposition in the synagogue in Corinth, Paul "shook out his garments" and began teaching next door at the house of Titius Justus, a God-fearing Gentile.
- Distinct Identity:
- As the church grew, the New Testament writers emphasized that the church was a new spiritual body made up of Jews and Gentiles (e.g., Ephesians 2:14-16). This theological shift reinforced the idea of separate Christian gatherings.
Conclusion
From the New Testament, we see that early Gentile Christians were initially connected to synagogues, especially as many were God-fearers who already participated in synagogue worship. However, as the Christian movement grew and faced opposition, Gentile believers increasingly formed distinct assemblies, often meeting in homes, to worship and fellowship.
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It appears you may be correct though a God-fearer is not necessarily a Gentile Christian.
Synagogues preach the law not Christianity.