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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | EdB | 98002 | ||
John How do you know they didn't set up an altar or prayer rail in the upper room? Since it was a Jewish home many had an area set aside for prayer called a prayer altar. I think your getting hung up on the word altar. I call a place designated as place to pray an altar. Many churches have railing or altars at which people come kneel down and pray. Since I have been in just about every Protestant denomination and both Russian, Greek and Roman Catholic churches I have seen many forms, shapes and sizes. While not all churches have these altars so far I haven't found a denomination I can think of which every church of that denomination was without an altar. I would not attend a church that did not have provision for people to come forward as they felt the need to pray. I can't explain it but there are times that this seems so terribly important, and it seems at those times the Holy Spirit really ministers to those that come. EdB |
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2 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 98035 | ||
Hi Ed, I understand why you feel the way you do. You are right to say that I'm hung up on the the term "altar". But words mean things, and an altar is a table upon which sacrifices are made. Altar - (Heb. mizbe'ah, from a word meaning "to slay"), any structure of earth (Ex. 20:24) or unwrought stone (20:25) on which sacrifices were offered. Altars were generally erected in conspicuous places (Gen. 22:9; Ezek. 6:3; 2 Kings 23:12; 16:4; 23:8; Acts 14:13). The word is used in Heb. 13:10 for the sacrifice offered upon it--the sacrifice Christ offered. Paul found among the many altars erected in Athens one bearing the inscription, "To the unknown God" (Acts 17:23), or rather "to an [i.e., some] unknown God." The reason for this inscription cannot now be accurately determined. It afforded the apostle the occasion of proclaiming the gospel to the "men of Athens." The first altar we read of is that erected by Noah (Gen. 8:20). Altars were erected by Abraham (Gen. 12:7; 13:4; 22:9), by Isaac (Gen. 26:25), by Jacob (33:20; 35:1, 3), and by Moses (Ex. 17:15, "Jehovah-nissi"). (Easton's) To my mind, each element of worship must mean something to the worshippers. The meaning must of neccessity come from Scripture! How can we be in one accord if that meaning is subjective and left to the sentiments of each individual? We don't have tabernacles. Why not? Because our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and God now dwells within us. Does your church provide a Bible based reason for having an altar? If so, I would appreciate your providing it. Thanks Ed, John |
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3 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | EdB | 98043 | ||
John As I have said what we call an altar is probably better described as a prayer rail. A place for people to draw closer to God (figuratively). We call that an altar and yes I guess in a form we sacrifice there, a sacrifice of praise, worship and prayer. I do not know of any protestant churches where they have an altar where they sacrifice anything upon it. Many have a table that some call an altar but on closer examination of their practices we find this is really a communion table. Others have an altar but once again a more exact definition would be a place of prayer. I believe the Catholic church has what might me termed an altar but again it serves as communion table and place to offer worship through prayer and adoration rituals, more than offering an actual sacrifice. I think the terminology is the problem, in many cases churches are calling anything up front an altar when in fact it would be a prayer railing, communion table, pulpit, speakers platform, and etc. EdB |
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