We started a new series at church this week called Rebuilding the Altar. I thought it would be appropriate for me to study up on the actual meaning of an altar. In general wiki tells us that an altar is a place where sacrifices are made or offerings are given. I was actually raised in a church with a physical altar rail, where the congregation kneeled down to take communion. My current Church has more of an elevated area and not a specific altar.
The first altar mentioned in scripture is the one Noah built after the flood. Modern altars can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be for a church congregation or they can be individual. I believe the purpose of an altar is to serve as a physical place to worship, a place to gather God's people, a place to bring sacrifice and offerings and place to meet God through prayer. In the modern context, the entire church building can be seen as an altar since we no longer must collect sticks and rocks to signify an altar to God.
Our church will be focusing on rebuilding our altar to God, so that we as a church body will be strengthened as a body of believers. It is our purpose and desire for people to return, repentant to God with a humble heart and ready to serve and sacrifice those inside and those outside our walls. Our next few weeks will involve intensive prayer and messages full of soul-searching scripture.
The Casting Crowns even have an entire CD & Concert dedicated to keeping us focused on what we learn at the altar as we walk out the door of the church. Check out their Altar & the Door Tour.
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