Why the Altar?

In our circles we often talk about the altar. Drawing from Old Testament typology, the altar was the place where animal sacrifices were slain. It was a place of death. The place where blood flowed. “For without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin” (Hebrews 9:22).

How does this blood shedding pertain to us? After Jesus died on Calvary, His blood established a new covenant.  He then placed His own blood on the mercy seat in heaven. That blood is still speaking today! It is still cleansing, still forgiving, still healing, and still making it possible for all who call upon the name of the Lord to receive eternal life. 

Recently, I read a Facebook post that caught my attention and gripped my heart. It said:

 “It’s time for the American Church to turn its stages back into altars.”

My mind immediately traveled back to my teenage years and early ministry days. I grew up in a church tradition that regularly conducted “altar services” and where the pastor gave altar calls for those wishing to respond to appeals for personal salvation. I remember the night almost 53 years ago when I answered an altar call to accept the Lord as my personal Savior. Not only was I born again, but I was also called to preach. How thankful I am for this wonderful heritage! Anointed Bible preaching and the Spirit’s prodding drove me to that altar. Then, as a pastor myself, I remember with grateful heart as I recall the many Sunday evenings across the years when individuals would grace the altars, sometimes for hours, seeking the Lord. Many left with their burdens lifted and their needs met. 

I’m not suggesting that we live in the past, or that we even glorify the past; but I would like to suggest that we reintroduce the purpose of the altar back into our lives.

The altar is where man meets with God, where sin dies, where the blood of Jesus – through faith – is activated to work on our behalf. God’s presence works best through a Spirit-anointed atmosphere. Here’s what I mean.

It’s hard to hear God’s voice and to “pour out our hearts” when the TV is on, or when cell phones beckon our attention, or when other distractions fill the atmosphere. Time basking in God’s presence requires that we put down the conspiracy of interruptions that tends to fill our lives. Unless we purpose to invite God’s sole presence into a situation, we may face deliberate strategies of the enemy to capture and steal away our time and affections. The purpose of yesterday’s altar services was to provide an opportunity–with no time constraints–for God’s people to hear His voice and to receive answers to their prayers. 

The phrase “praying through” was often used to express those times when individuals knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that heaven had heard their requests and their answers were forthcoming. Many left with hearts full of assurance and their faith re-ignited to believe God to meet their existing needs. 

Praying through also suggested that individuals died to sin and self, thus invoking God’s uninterrupted access into their lives. Besetting sins, pride and personal desires were “slain” at the feet of Jesus; and were replaced with God’s desires. As one songwriter said, “Sin died where the blood spilled.” We were taught to “plead the blood of Jesus,” meaning that a reliance on the “spirit and the blood” was the only way to overcome sin, the flesh and the devil. This may sound old-school to many, but when given consideration, it may be our only saving grace in today’s confused world. 

Pastors especially, may I encourage you to reclaim the altar in your church? Can we respectfully put the entertainment aspect of Christian music on hold, long enough for our people to press into God’s presence? I’m not talking about “soaking.” I’m talking about giving God time to “kill individuals dead to self and sin and making them alive in Christ.”

The star of this show is Jesus, not individuals who clamor for the spotlight.