Altar in the new testameny
In the New Testament, the concept of an "altar" is not as prominent as it is in the Old Testament. However, there are several instances where altars are mentioned or alluded to:
- The Cross of Christ: In many ways, the Cross of Christ can be seen as an altar, where Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. This is reflected in passages such as Romans 3:25, where Paul writes that God "presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith."
- The Table of the Lord: In the New Testament, the Lord's Supper (also known as Communion or the Eucharist) is often referred to as the "table of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 10:21). This table is seen as a symbol of the altar, where believers come to offer themselves to God and receive spiritual nourishment.
- The Incense Altar: In Revelation 8:3-5, an angel is described as offering incense to God on an altar, which is accompanied by the prayers of the saints. This passage is often seen as a symbol of the prayers of believers being offered to God through Jesus Christ.
- The Altar of Prayer: In 1 Timothy 2:8, Paul instructs believers to "pray for all people, and for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." This passage can be seen as an altar of prayer, where believers come to offer their prayers and petitions to God.
In summary, while the concept of an "altar" is not as central in the New Testament as it is in the Old Testament, there are still several instances where altars are mentioned or alluded to. These altars can be seen as symbols of the sacrifice of Christ, the offering of prayers and petitions to God, and the spiritual nourishment that believers receive through their relationship with God.