Can a building/place be sacred?

[cch5432]

For those that think the dancing and song was disrespectful in church, what about all the Scriptures that indicate that Heaven is a place of song, dancing, clapping, worshiping the Lord.

 

I don't recall any Scriptures that indicate Heaven is a place to seat quietly in a church pew repeat the words that some minister is saying and being reserved and quiet the whole time.

 

I wonder if the problems many of you are having are SOCIETAL views on church rather than BIBLICAL views of church.

 

:thumb:

 

I agree 100%. Growing up in a Catholic church, we were taught not even to speak walking to church and back, and not even to sing too loudly in church to be reverant. It was just taught by society like you said.

 

This is another idea that I was unfamiliar with. I've always believed that certain areas/sites are more sacred than others. There are plenty of things that I wouldn't do in church that I would do elsewhere.

 

So, there be places/buildings where we should adjust our behavior because of the holiness? Is the entire concept of churches (the building, formerky, not the Churchs ) a scam?

[ladiesbballcoach]

This is another idea that I was unfamiliar with. I've always believed that certain areas/sites are more sacred than others. There are plenty of things that I wouldn't do in church that I would do elsewhere.

 

So, there be places/buildings where we should adjust our behavior because of the holiness? Is the entire concept of churches (the building, formerky, not the Churchs ) a scam?

 

I would be interested in any Scripture, BIBLICAL SCRIPTURE, that indicates this.

 

My understanding of the Acts Churches were they were meeting in people's homes. Is that accurate?

 

The Last Supper was not in a sacred place but was a monumental act in the Bible.

 

As I said, Jesus indicated that He will be where two or more are gathered in His Name. I run a Christian golf league and there is no doubt that Jesus is with us on the course as we witness, play, and fellowship in His Name. Hasn't helped me make a putt, yet, although, maybe I am a worse golfer than I think and he HAS helped me make some putts.:lol:

 

I do firmly believe that society WANTS to make things sacred to give them more importance than they probably actually have because it makes society feel good. And that is why.

 

Not saying that is wrong but not sure it is a BIBLICALLY thing.

 

That said, having a building for Christians to gather together to formally worship, aid each other, a community resource is a very positive and vital thing.

 

I will look for the exact Scripture, thinking it is in Peter, that indicates that the Devil is a roaring lion who is looking to separate us out of the crowd and pick us off. We are much easier to succumb to tempation when we are separated out rather than we are in a next supportive group.

 

Think of how a lioness hunts. NOT going to the middle of the pack and taking them all on but rather looking for those that are weak and on the fringe of the pack and they don't have to take on the whole pack to pick off that one.

[ladiesbballcoach]

1 Peter 5:7-9 (New International Version)

7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

 

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

[cch5432]

I would be interested in any Scripture, BIBLICAL SCRIPTURE, that indicates this.

 

My understanding of the Acts Churches were they were meeting in people's homes. Is that accurate?

 

The Last Supper was not in a sacred place but was a monumental act in the Bible.

 

As I said, Jesus indicated that He will be where two or more are gathered in His Name. I run a Christian golf league and there is no doubt that Jesus is with us on the course as we witness, play, and fellowship in His Name. Hasn't helped me make a putt, yet, although, maybe I am a worse golfer than I think and he HAS helped me make some putts.:lol:

1. What's with the "BIBLICAL SCRIPTURE"? What other kind is there? Furthermore, should I even bother asking where the Bible says that there is no such thing as a holy area? Anyways, doesn't the Old Testament have references to temples built around the ark of the covenant?

 

2. The idea that a church is holy is NOT denying Jesus is among us when there are two or more gathered in his name. Just that we have designated and decorated spots in honor of God.

[ladiesbballcoach]

1. What's with the "BIBLICAL SCRIPTURE"? What other kind is there? Furthermore, should I even bother asking where the Bible says that there is no such thing as a holy area? Anyways, doesn't the Old Testament have references to temples built around the ark of the covenant?

 

2. The idea that a church is holy is NOT denying Jesus is among us when there are two or more gathered in his name. Just that we have designated and decorated spots in honor of God.

 

2. It implies that this is where Jesus will be on Holy ground. I would submit that you and I and how we live our lives are the best spots to honor God. Not a building. I don't think there is anything that Jesus indicated that he cared diddly or squat about buildings but rather about us. We hold up the building as a holy spot and then if you are unfortunately too much like me, we go out and don't hold our lives up to the holy level God wants.

 

1. The OT system didn't work and that is why Jesus had to come to be the ultimate sacrifice and make the other sacrifices obsolete.

 

Also, to borrow a mindset of Gary Burbank, your question asks CAN IT...Yes it can. We don't, We don't, We don't mess around. Hey!!!!

[cch5432]

1. The OT system didn't work and that is why Jesus had to come to be the ultimate sacrifice and make the other sacrifices obsolete.

This statement would seem to imply that everything in the OT is obsolete. Just because Jesus is the new covenant, does not mean that everything in the Old Testament is irrelevant...or else we wouldn't keep it around.

2. It implies that this is where Jesus will be on Holy ground. I would submit that you and I and how we live our lives are the best spots to honor God. Not a building. I don't think there is anything that Jesus indicated that he cared diddly or squat about buildings but rather about us. We hold up the building as a holy spot and then if you are unfortunately too much like me, we go out and don't hold our lives up to the holy level God wants.

 

Once again, just because we need to be Christians everywhere does not mean that certain spots are not more sacred than others.

[formerkywrestler]

I've always been under the impression that Rupp Arena is sacred.

[Habib]

2. It implies that this is where Jesus will be on Holy ground. I would submit that you and I and how we live our lives are the best spots to honor God. Not a building. I don't think there is anything that Jesus indicated that he cared diddly or squat about buildings but rather about us. We hold up the building as a holy spot and then if you are unfortunately too much like me, we go out and don't hold our lives up to the holy level God wants.

 

1. The OT system didn't work and that is why Jesus had to come to be the ultimate sacrifice and make the other sacrifices obsolete.

 

I'm with you on this one lbbc.

 

I think the church has become a sanctimonious place, not a sacred place. I feel, and especially as I get older, that many Christians believe wearing a suit and acting pious in a church on Sunday is what makes them Christians, while refusing to look inward and carry about the tenets of the religion in all aspects of their lives. To each their own, but that's not my particular interpretation or belief.

[5wide]

This is another idea that I was unfamiliar with. I've always believed that certain areas/sites are more sacred than others. There are plenty of things that I wouldn't do in church that I would do elsewhere.

 

So, there be places/buildings where we should adjust our behavior because of the holiness? Is the entire concept of churches (the building, formerky, not the Churchs ) a scam?

 

I don't think the concept of a building specifically built for the church to gather in is a scam. But, I don't think they're essential. The two exist independent of each other and the building would be just another building if not utilized by the church. We could just as easily meet in each other's homes and do the same thing.

 

As for adjusting our behavior...that question requires more thought for me.

 

First, based on the passage that declares our body is a temple of the Spirit, I think we are called to live holy always, everywhere...we don't crank it up at church on Sunday and turn it down the rest of the week. It's easier said than done...

 

Second, based on Paul's writings, specifically Romans 14-15 and 1 Corinthians 8-10, regarding Christian liberty, he seems to suggest that we are to alter our behavior. He sums it up in 1 Corinthians 10:23, 24 when he says, "'Everything is permissible' -- but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible' -- but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others."

 

If we're comfortable with something that a fellow brother or sister isn't, then we should refrain from it if it could cause them to stumble. For example, suppose you have no problem drinking a beer or a glass of wine occasionally (at dinner or just whenever), but you know someone else does have a problem with it. According to Paul, in the presence of that person you should adjust and not drink.

 

Now, to tie this back into altering our behavior in a place...it is possible that we should. But, not because of the building itself, but because of the people that are there.

 

At least, that's my understanding.

[ladiesbballcoach]

This statement would seem to imply that everything in the OT is obsolete. Just because Jesus is the new covenant, does not mean that everything in the Old Testament is irrelevant...or else we wouldn't keep it around.

 

 

Once again, just because we need to be Christians everywhere does not mean that certain spots are not more sacred than others.

 

No, not everything in the OT is irrelevant.

 

What is the reasoning that some places are more sacred than others?

[ladiesbballcoach]

I've always been under the impression that Rupp Arena is sacred.

 

Now, that is funny and I don't care who you are.:lol:

[ladiesbballcoach]

He sums it up in 1 Corinthians 10:23, 24 when he says, "'Everything is permissible' -- but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible' -- but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others."[/I]

 

 

One of the best Scriptures to sum up how we should live our lives.

[ladiesbballcoach]

 

Now, to tie this back into altering our behavior in a place...it is possible that we should. But, not because of the building itself, but because of the people that are there.

 

.

 

Great point that I could buy into rather than a sacred building with 4 walls.

[Hatz]

1. What's with the "BIBLICAL SCRIPTURE"? What other kind is there? Furthermore, should I even bother asking where the Bible says that there is no such thing as a holy area? Anyways, doesn't the Old Testament have references to temples built around the ark of the covenant?

 

2. The idea that a church is holy is NOT denying Jesus is among us when there are two or more gathered in his name. Just that we have designated and decorated spots in honor of God.

 

In the OT the implication is that the presence of God is what makes a place holy or sacred.

 

The Burning Bush was the manifestation of the presence of God appearing to Moses. It was not the place but the presence of God. Sometimes the two seem related but not exclusively.

 

For example, the temple was considered sacred. But the minor prophets (see Amos in particular) rail vs. the temple and that the presence of God had left the place. God was not there because the people were not open to God any longer.

 

Jesus eludes to such in his ministry.

 

The place is sacred only if the presence of God is experienced, seen, felt there. :thumb:

[5wide]

In the OT the implication is that the presence of God is what makes a place holy or sacred.

 

The Burning Bush was the manifestation of the presence of God appearing to Moses. It was not the place but the presence of God. Sometimes the two seem related but not exclusively.

 

For example, the temple was considered sacred. But the minor prophets (see Amos in particular) rail vs. the temple and that the presence of God had left the place. God was not there because the people were not open to God any longer.

 

Jesus eludes to such in his ministry.

 

The place is sacred only if the presence of God is experienced, seen, felt there. :thumb:

 

Hence, the building is made sacred when His church is inside...