Building altars in the new testament

In the New Testament, the concept of altars is not as prominent as it is in the Old Testament. However, there are still some instances where altars are mentioned or alluded to. Here are a few examples:

  1. The altar of incense in the Temple (Luke 1:11, 8:10-11): In the Temple, there was an altar of incense where priests would offer prayers and incense to God. This altar is mentioned in the New Testament as a place where angels appeared to Zechariah and Simeon.
  2. The altar of sacrifice in the Temple (Hebrews 13:10-12): The author of Hebrews writes about the altar of sacrifice in the Temple, where animals were offered to God as a symbol of atonement for sin. This altar is seen as a type or shadow of the true sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
  3. The altar of the cross (Galatians 6:14): In Galatians 6:14, Paul writes that "may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." This verse can be seen as an altar of sorts, where Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the central focus of Christian worship and devotion.
  4. The altar of the heart (Matthew 5:23-24): In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus teaches that if we come to worship God and remember that we have a dispute with someone, we should leave our gift at the altar and go and be reconciled to that person. This verse can be seen as an altar of sorts, where our hearts are the offering we bring to God.
  5. The altar of prayer (Matthew 6:5-6): In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus teaches that when we pray, we should go into our inner room and shut the door and pray to our Father who is in secret. This verse can be seen as an altar of sorts, where our prayers are the offering we bring to God.

In general, the New Testament emphasizes the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth, rather than relying on physical altars or rituals. The focus is on the heart and the inner life, rather than on external forms or rituals.