Results 1 - 15 of 15
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | Makarios | 97751 | ||
Greetings John, The Bible has many references that uses an "altar" as a means for sacrifice to the Lord. Here are just a few: Gen. 8:20; Ex. 17:15; Lev. 6:9; Judges 6:24; 2 Sam. 24:18; Ps. 43:4. Jesus mentions the altar in Matthew 5:23 and 23:19. Use of an altar is also mentioned in Hebrews (9:4; 13:10) and in Revelation (9:13). God instructed the Israelites to build altars to Him (Exodus 20:24-26; Deu. 27:5-7; Josh. 8:30-31; Ezek. 43:13), but the use of altars was perverted for idol worship (Judges 6:25; 1 Kings 12:32; 1 Kings 16:32; 1 Kings 18:26; 2 Kings 16:10; 2 Kings 23:12; 2 Kings 23:15; Isaiah 27:9; Isaiah 65:3; Hosea 8:11; Acts 17:23). There are many more references to the use of altars throughout the Bible. When we "kneel at the altar" of the Lord (Mal. 2:13), we are, in effect, renouncing our sins to Him, and offering ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him (Rom. 12:1). Or, at least, that is what the significance is of having an altar in a Christian church. Blessings to you, Makarios |
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2 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97753 | ||
Dear Makarios, I wonder if the keeping of altars sends a mixed message to the church. Afterall, repeated sacrifices were part of the jewish system, as was the temple itself. The sacrifice which christians rely on occurred 2,000 years ago. It was the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God and is sufficent for anyone, past, present or future. Could the presence of an altar in a christian church send the message that additional sacrifices are necessary if God is to be pleased? John |
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3 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | Asis | 97754 | ||
John The altar at a church is a place where we can give to God that which we desire to be rid of. I know that we don't really need a place to lay down that thing which we hold dearer than our Lord. We can give to Him whatever is coming between us and God anywhere. But the altar is a symbol much like water baptism, of a place where we can offer up that which holds us down. If a platform called an altar is needed for my brother to lay down pornograghy then build a lots of platforms. I do not believe that believers go to an altar in a church to make a sacrifice to God. It is a place where we partake of the sacrifice God has given for us. Jeff |
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4 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97872 | ||
Dear Jeff, You said "The altar at a church is a place where we can give to God that which we desire to be rid of." The altar is the place where sacrifices were made. Things that people cherished and couted as valuable were laid on the altar and set afire as an offering to God. "the altar is a symbol much like water baptism, of a place where we can offer up that which holds us down." Again Jeff, I must disagree. Tht which holds us down is our sins and John said that we should confess our sins to God in prayer, not by placing them on an altar expecting that God will accept them as a sacrifce. The sacrificial system was a shadow of what Christ would do when He became the Lamb of God. After He had offered Himself a "sacrifice for many", it (The sacricial system) was over. "I do not believe that believers go to an altar in a church to make a sacrifice to God. It is a place where we partake of the sacrifice God has given for us." The early christians did not set up altars. They understood that having recieved the benefit of the cross, that no other sacrifice remained. They saw themselves as being "in Christ", united with Him for eternity. John |
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5 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | Emmaus | 97885 | ||
John, "The early christians did not set up altars." When do you think they started? Emmaus |
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6 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97889 | ||
Emmaus, Heb 1:1,2 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. I understand your sensitivity on this subject. I am addressing protestant churches primarily. I know why Catholics have an altar. I should have said "apostolic" rather than "early". There is no evidence in Scripture of Paul or the other eleven apostles, having re-instituted any element the Levitical system. All of that passed with the incarnation and sacrifice of "The Lamb of God". The model we should follow is the New Covenant. John |
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7 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | Emmaus | 97892 | ||
John, Of course the Levitical system died. What about that order of Melchizadek? Is the Eucharist a sacrificial meal? Is there a connection between sacrifice and altars. And what does the altar in other Christian Churches represent? It is not there by accident. It must have some meaning. I know what it represents in my Church. Emmaus |
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8 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97911 | ||
The sacrifice was offered upon an altar. Are you saying it was eaten at the altar also? If so, I am unaware that that was the practice. Christ himself instituded the sacrament of communion, not on an altar but at a table. We refer to the Lord's table in protestantism. Rom 8:3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, Jesus was not offered up as a sacrifice by man but by God the Father. The cross was a symbol of the altar. When we look at the cross we should think of the Lamb being slain and offered unto God as a propitiation for our sins. When Jesus cried "It is finished" that statement meant the end to all other sacrifices. No sacrifices...no altar. Just the cross and the finished work of Christ are all the sacrifice we will ever need. What other churches say about what their alters mean to them, will not convince me of their necessity or justication. Men have been tinkering with worship since the Fall. I for one do not wish to impose my ideas on true worship. Let God be the judge. John |
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9 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | Emmaus | 97919 | ||
John, In Catholic Churches the altar symbolises the cross, which was the altar on which Christ was crucified. In the Eastern Rites it also symbolises the tomb. John , I notice you never indicate that while you were a Catholic, you were an idolaltor or that you worshiped statues or crucifixes. Apparently you knew the difference between an object of art that called to mind a sacred subject and an idol. Yet, you often imply that other Catholics did and do. How odd. Emmaus |
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10 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97931 | ||
It seems that it is not general knowledge among the Laity, despite RC theologians. Perhaps Rome should simply dispose of it's graven images of God. I can't imagine why people would pray to a statue and kiss it's feet, unless they were ignorant of the Bible. On the domed roof of Holy Redeemer RC church above the altar was a depiction of God the Father seated on His throne and looking quite a bit like Jupiter; long beard, flowing robes and a body like a weight lifter. That image is as clear in my mind today as it was over 50 years ago. Nobody, neither priest or nun or lay teacher explained that the term "art" made the commandment null and void. I can't fooled with spin. I've heard it all and I'm not buying any of it. John |
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11 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | Emmaus | 97935 | ||
John, Surely John you were not worshipping the painting on the dome andy more than the Hebrews worshipped the "graven images" of the angels on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. Tell me you have never seen a children's bible with pictures used by a Presbytertian teaching children. Is that idolatry? How about photographs of beloved family members? Are they "graven images" or do they call to mind the loved one? Spin? Who is spinning what here? Emmaus |
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12 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97942 | ||
Would you agree that knowing God is the most important goal for which a christian might strive? If so, he must follow the truth of God; His Word. Jesus told thw woman at the well that God was neither male nor female but spirit. In it's highest form art reflects truth. Therefore the dipiction of God the Father as a man is not only untrue but a lie and bad art to boot! No I have never seen God the Father or Jesus depicted in any presbyterian literature either juvenile or adult. I can vouch only for the PCA, not the liberal branch from which we seperated (PCUSA) Members of my family are unlikely candidates for diefication, so I don't burn their pictures :-) Just kidding! But you are now stretching for an absurdity. The command is against idolotrous images not pics of the grand-kids. Perhaps your getting dizzy! John |
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13 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | Emmaus | 97956 | ||
John, "Members of my family are unlikely candidates for diefication, so I don't burn their pictures :-) Just kidding! But you are now stretching for an absurdity. The command is against idolotrous images not pics of the grand-kids." Tell that to the Amish. They are are just pushing your your logic along the same road. Emmaus |
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14 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97978 | ||
well... I had hoped for a reply which contained an honest answer; instead i get more spin. The study of the amish has not been a major pursuit of mine. The reformers of the 16th century is more my style. Heroes of the faith who rescued and returned the gospel to the people. Bye, John |
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15 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | Emmaus | 97986 | ||
John, Sorry to have disappointed you. Perhaps this article on the history of Christian altars will be more satisfactory. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01362a.htm Emmaus |
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