Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1993

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 183Committee members were given particular areas to research, and thenwe came together in early Febmary for an all-day conference to discussand determine our conclusions.BIBLICAL CONSIDERATIONSIn the Old Testament God designated a specific sanctuary where Hisworship was to be offered, and gave very precise instmctions concerningits constmction and its furnishings (Exodus 25:8-9 = "Make this.. .exactlylike the pattern I will show you"). Both the building and its furnitureabounded in symbolism which was directly incorporated into the worshipby God's appointment. Examples would include: the Ark of the Covenant(Exodus 25:10-22), the incense altar (Exodus 30:7-8), the colorful curtainsof blue, purple, and scarlet with embroidered cherubim worked into themby skilled craftsmen (Exodus 26:lff), the lampstand (Exodus 25:31), thepriest's garments (Exodus 28:15ff), the instruments of music (2 Chronicles29:25-28), etc. The reason for precision in the construction of this place ofworship was that "this sanctuary was a copy and shadow of what is inheaven" (Hebrews 8:5).It is of interest to our study to note that when Solomon built thepermanent temple to house the worship center, he made it a much moreelaborate building and embeUished it with carvings, pillars, gold chains,pomegranates, lilies, lions, bulls, etc. (See 1 Kings 6:18-35; 7:15-36). Asfar as we know, he did this without any clear command from the Lord, yetGod honored his efforts by "consecrating this temple," and promising to"put His Name there forever" (1 Kings 9:3).On occasion, God commanded Israel to utilize "symbols" to commemoratevarious aspects of His work with His people. The itemscontained in the Ark of the Covenant, i.e., the stone tablets of the Law, thepot of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded (Hebrews 9:4), are examples.Also the memorial stones that Joshua set up after the Israelites crossed theJordan River (Joshua 4) are a case in point. Sometimes symbols were usedwithout a command from God, i.e., the stone that Jacob set up at Bethel(Genesis 28:18-22), the memorial altar built by the two and one half tribesreturning to the east side of the Jordan (Joshua 22). Symbols were indeedan ingredient in the life and the worship practices of the Old Testamentsaints.After Christ came fulfilling all the Old Testament types and figures,thebelievers became themselves the "temple of God" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), and the Old Testament building and its furnishings, along with thesymbols they used, became obsolete and were thus abandoned (Hebrews8:13; 10:9-10). The only symbols commanded to be used in New Testamentworship are those connected with the sacraments of Baptism and the