Bible Study Evangelista - ”How”: The Bronze Altar

Notes and References “For it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul by reason of the life” (Lev. 17:11). Directly inside the tabernacle courtyard gate was the first facility, a gigantic BBQ-grill-like structure. Exodus 27:1-8, God’s instructions regarding the altar are that it should be made of wood overlaid with bronze. Leviticus 1, The altar was the place where the bloody and burnt animal sacrifices were offered, where judgment and atonement for sin could be made. The blood of the sacrifices was poured out around the base of the altar. Exodus 29:38-42, Every day, morning and evening, a lamb, bread, and wine were to be offered on the bronze altar. John 1:29, Jesus is called “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” 1 Corinthians 5:7 & 11:23-29, St. Paul says the real Body and Blood of Christ is sacrificed in a Catholic Mass. Hebrews 9:24, Not the Old Testament tabernacle, but in the sanctuary of heaven itself, Jesus is eternally presenting His pure offering to God, the only pure offering ever made to Him. He is not, however, continually re-sacrificed in a bloody manner, “for then He would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world” (Heb 9:26). Instead He eternally presents His once-for-all sacrifice sacramentally, through the Eucharistic Body and Blood of the spotless Lamb. Revelation 5:6, St. John’s vision of heaven’s throne room in Revelation in which John see in the midst of the throne, the creatures, and elders in a Lamb as though it were slain with seven horns. Malachi 1:11, The prophets predicted both a future non-Jewish sacrifice and a future non-Jewish priesthood that would offer it. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” 1 Corinthians 3:11, 14, “For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ… If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit and contrite heart.” Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” “The only perfect sacrifice is the one that Christ offered on the cross as a total offering to the Father’s love and for our salvation. By uniting ourselves with his sacrifice we can make our lives a sacrifice to God” (CCC 2100). Episode Resources Fulfilled, Uncovering the Biblical Foundations of Catholicism, Chapter 5, Sacrificial Love Ignite, Chapters 6 & 7, The How of the Bible Come join the chatter on the Facebook community. What’s the most sacrificial thing you’ve ever offered God? Tell me your #LOVEtheWordtakeaway for this week’s show. Read the Transcript You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here, when it becomes available, courtesy of Kristie Hynniman who does our transcriptions for you.