Thursday, April 15, 2010

Is the Sanctuary a Holy Place? Are Church Services & Gatherings Holy Times?

In the old testament we find striking instances of the importance God placed on people treating sacred things with great respect.

King Uzziah is suddenly struck with leprosy upon his forehead for entering the temple and acting like he had just as much rights as the tribe of Levi while he was actually of the tribe of Judah. (God had called a certain tribe to handle the things of God in an 'up-close' kind of a way when it came to corporate gatherings and when it came to tabernacle/temple 'furniture'.)

Uzzah reached out to steady the ark of the covenant with his hand and God struck him dead on the spot. 2Sa 6:7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

Nadab and Abihu, who were certainly of the proper tribe, were struck dead for bringing strange fire into the holy tabernacle.

What can we conclude from these things? Do they have any relevance for us today?

In the old testament we find God setting up the tribe of Levi as those who would handle the 'furniture' of the tabernacle/temple. Within the tribe of Levi was the subgroup of priests (Aaronic priests.) And yet even the priests and levites had clearly defined limits on how they were to handle holy things. For example, the ark was to be carried by poles. This was plainly God's will.
(Note: Elders and Deacons seem to me to correspond quite closely in roles and duties to Aaronic Priests and Levites)

In the church today, is God at all concerned about how we handle things??? Consider the following passages:

1Ti 3:14 These things (the entire preceding portion of the book of 1 Timothy?) I write unto you, hoping to come unto you shortly: 1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

This is a very, very important passage! God cares deeply about how things are done 'at church.' Paul very much wanted Timothy to know how he ought to do things 'at church.'

Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Heb 13:24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.

It seems like there is a growing attitude in churches that anything goes. Similarly, people seem to think that anyone at all can lead. The idea of having a group of Biblically qualified, Spirit-led elders ruling the local church while they themselves seek to carefully follow the word of God is out. The idea of majority rule (no matter the spiritual condition of the majority) or family or personality rule is in.

Jdg 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Will the way the average local church is being structured and handled lead God to say to His children in the great day of judgment "Well done, good and faithful servant"?

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