V. Its Officers. These were:
1. Three rulers of the synagogue, who directed the worship, managed the business details, and possessed a limited judicial authority over the Jews in the district (Mark 4. 22; Acts 13. 15). One of these was the presiding officer, and called "the ruler."
2. The chazzan (Luke 4. 20, "the minister"), who united the functions of clerk, schoolmaster, sexton, and constable to administer sentence on offenders.
3. The batlanim, "men of ease," seven men who were chosen to act as a legal congregation, were pledged to be present at the regular services, and sometimes received a small fee for being present.
VI. Its Services. These were held on Saturday, Monday, and Thursday, and were conducted by the members in turn, several taking part in each service. They consisted of:
1. Forms of prayer, conducted by a leader, with the responses by the worshipers.
2. Reading of selections from the law and the prophets, according to an appointed order (Acts 15. 21). The reading was in Hebrew, but it was translated, verse by verse, into the language of the people, whether Greek or Aramaic.
3. Exposition or comment upon the Scripture, in which any member might take part (Luke 4. 20, 21; Acts 13. 15, 16).
VII. Its Influence. It is easy to perceive how widely and how powerfully the results of such an institution would reach.
1. It perpetuated the worship of God and united the worshipers.