Church in the OT

[backtothefuture]

HI,
I was just wondering if typically there was "church" practiced in the old Testament. I know that in the psalms David sings many times before the Lord with praises.
I know there were lots of rules and people went yearly? To confess their sins? Not sure about that. I know they could not enter into the Holy Place.
SO was there a type of church practiced back then, or just a set of standards that typically took place? Just thinking again about church and what it really means these days.
Sometimes it seems more to me like we had more church or religious practices in the old testament and more law in the New;) Go figure:biggrinbounce:
Nancy

[Me Again]

Nancy, I don't mean to be a stickler, but I want to clarify some language being used here. First of all, the Greek word we translate church in the bible is ekklesia, which means "called out." So, when Israel left Egypt, they were "called out," which is why the Apostle Paul spoke about "the ekklesia in the wilderness" in 1 Cor 10. Also, when Israel returned from captivity after 70 years, they too were ekklesia.

Now, to your question about religious practices: yes, there were many religious practices, involving animal sacrifices, ceremonial washings, anointings with oil, and religious imagery - all of which were fulfilled in Jesus. He was the sacrifice, and his blood washed us, his spirit anointed us, and he was the IMAGE/Icon of God the Father.

You mentioned David and his dancing. I would draw your attention to my article, called "the Tabernacle of David," which I will post here for your consideration. In it, I try to explain the tabernacle and what it foreshadowed. I hope it will be helpful.

I do not think, since the advents of Jesus, that religious ceremony is any longer necessary; however, I think that celebrating the Lord is definitely beneficial. When I go to our congregational celebration, I have a good time - singing, dancing, praying, and listening to what is usually good teaching, in spite of it being quite futurist oriented. The practical parts of the sermon are what I enjoy, as my pastor is a compassionate evangelical who wants to see all blessed by the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

I enjoy "church," but do not require any to attend. If you find God in "bagel church" then I encourage you to do that. If God manifests Himself to you in high liturgy, like Catholics or Anglicans, then so be it. I think that there's no condemnation, and we should find God wherever we may find Him. Since He is everywhere, that shouldn't be too difficult.

[ozark]

Nancy,

In the old testament when they heard the word "worship," they thought first of sacrifice. They did sing songs, read the scriptures, etc., but the heart of worship in the old covenant involved killing, offering, or burning something. I wrote an article a while back on this subject. I have since then changed my views on some of the things I talked about, but you might find it interesting.

http://www.planetpreterist.com/news-5064.html