Jesus had a custom. He went weekly to a congregation of those who called themself Jew. The place of meeting and the people who were named a synagogue. Every village, town, and city that had at least ten adult Jewish men would meet regularly, either in someone’s house or, if they could afford it, in a meeting hall. If enough was collected, they would own the building. Jesus, as a custom, went to synagogues on the Sabbath until he was forbidden to enter.
Though not all was well and done correctly in the synagogues, and there was petty bickering and hypocrisy, Jesus went, bringing his disciples with him.
Those who believed in Jesus after his ascension went to Jewish synagogues until the religious leaders threw them out. When they were cast out, they followed the custom of the Jewish synagogue, establishing their own congregation.
However, after some time, some of the early believers did not attend every week. So, the leaders including the author of Hebrews wrote, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) Believers meeting together to worship God, encourage one another, and to study the word of God as a congregation goes back to the Exodus as can be clearly read in the Old Testament. Do not let excuses keep you isolated from a Jesus-believing and Bible teaching congregation.
