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Was the Messiah ALSO the ALTAR of his Spiritual Temple?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Bismarck, Mar 20, 2006.

  1. Bismarck

    Bismarck New Member

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    I understand that the "Body of Believers in the Messiah", or "Body of Christ", forms a "Spiritual Temple". It is built from "Living Stones" that represent the Believers (in the Messiah) themselves, of which the Messiah himself is the "chief cornerstone" (Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11). I base this understanding upon:

    * John 2:19-22
    * 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
    * 1 Peter 2:1-10
    * Ephesians 2:19 - 22

    Moreover, this notion of True Believers as "Living Stones" enlivened by Almighty God through the Holy Spirit is exactly what John the Dunker mentions in Luke 3:8:

    "Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I say to you that FROM THESE STONES GOD IS ABLE TO RAISE UP CHILDREN TO ABRAHAM."

    In turn, "raising up (spiritual) children unto Abraham" is precisely what Saul Paulus calls in his letters (spiritual) "adoption". This is seen clearly throughout Galatians 3.

    Lastly, this notion of the Believer (in Yeshua as the True Messiah) as a "Living Stone" is clearly presented in "Peter's Confession of Christ" in Matthew 16:13-19. Contrary to what the Roman Catholics might claim, Peter's statement is a "Disciple's Confession of Faith" that epitomizes a Christian's Belief. Along with similar episodes in John 1:35-42; 6:66-69; 11:25-27, it is intended as a model for others to follow. "If this is what the VERY FIRST Believers in the Messiah's inner circle did to be saved", runs the logic, "then it ought to work for the rest of us too." Therefore, when the Messiah says, "Upon this Rock I will build my Kirk", he does not mean Peter exclusively, but rather that ALL BELIEVERS who profess faith in Yeshua's Messiah-hood will become such "Rocks" or "(Living) Stones" which together will build up the Messiah's Kirk.

    Note also that the authority of "Binding and Loosing" is likewise granted unto ALL BELIEVERS who TRULY follow in Simon Peter's footsteps, and acknowledge Yeshua as "the Messiah and Son of the Living God". Please also note, however, that by "Son" we mean "Spiritual Son" in the sense of Matthew 5:9,45; Luke 6:35, John 10:34/Psalm 82:6, & Romans 8:14. We do NOT mean that Almighty God beamed down to earth in the limited, corporeal form of a pair of Golden Swans and made love to the Virgin Mary and got her pregnant, as we might read in late Classical Greek mythology. Rather, the Heavenly Father CAUSED the Virgin Mary to become pregnant in a miraculous display of the Almighty's power.

    SO HERE IS MY QUESTION:
    -----------------------

    In Matthew 27:24, Pilate washes his hands over his prisoner in a profession of innocence.

    I now direct your attention to Psalm 26:6:

    "I shall wash my hands in innocence, And I will go about Your altar, O LORD"

    Does this, then, imply that not only is the Messiah the "Head Corner-stone", but also THE (SPIRITUAL) ALTAR of the 'Spiritual Temple' of the 'Body of Christ'?

    Would that not make sense? Is not the altar THE medium between God & Man, THE center of the Temple, and THE "transporter pad", if you will suffer a Star Trek reference, from which our (spiritual) sacrifices -- of continual prayer (Hebrews 13:15) and a humble spirit (Psalm 51:17) -- are "beamed up" to Almighty God?

    So, is it fair to say that the Messiah IS the "Spiritual Altar" around which the rest of his Spiritual Temple is built up...

    Or, is that heresy?
     
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