There
is a place in most houses of worship that is referred to as The Altar.
Sometimes it is made of special wood or ornate metal. Others are simply the
front steps of the stage or even the floor area in front of the podium.
Regardless of what it looks like, it is usually considered a revered place
where people encounter God.
In
Old Testament scripture, an altar unto Jehovah was always built after an
encounter with Him, His “angels”, or even pre-incarnate visitations of Jesus.
These were constructed to mark, or remember, something that God did in their
life that changed them in some way; changed to the point that they never felt
the need to return there.
However,
in most Christian churches there is an expectation, even a requirement, for
Believers to return to the altar again and again. They are compelled to come
for many reasons, but most return for the same issue, expecting God to do
something about their circumstances. It seems the longer one stays there the
deeper the change that is expected to result from the experience.
This
is very foreign to what scripture teaches. I cannot see anywhere in the New
Testament where the altar has a place in the life of the Believer. There is an
experience at the Cross, where one becomes born into the Kingdom of God, is
made a new creation in Christ, and is baptized into His Body, the Church. From
there, we are to then live a life of obedience to the leading of the Holy
Spirit, allowing Him to transform us by the renewing of our minds, as we study
the Scripture and fellowship with our Father. From this place of regeneration,
we are to be ambassadors of the Kingdom to our world, sharing Jesus with those
whom we live, work, and play. None of this occurs at the altar.
All
references to altars in the New Testament are those found in the Old Testament,
with one exception. Paul, at Mars Hill, mentioned an “Altar to the Unknown
God”. He then used that as an opportunity to preach Christ to them. I believe
there is a good reason we do not find altars in the life of the Believer. There
is no need for them. The Holy Spirit lives inside the Christian. You do not
have to “go down” to the altar to meet with Him. You do not have to be in
church to have an experience with Him. He is always with you, ready to release
Heaven into your experience when you are ready to receive it.
For more along these lines read this post:
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