Represents
Represents
December 8, 2024
When my path to God was to become a member of the University Presbyterian Church, our class had to learn what the particular architectural features in the Sanctuary represented… the three steps up to the altar, the altar and items on it, the steps up to the pulpit, batismal font, etc.
In my twenties I learned that art and architecture could represent many things — not necessarily restricted to religion. During one era the publisher of Playboy pretended his magazine was art and culture and very chic and avant-garde. Everybody knew that was bs, but never admitted to it… the centerfold was usually the first page we men looked for… It added nothing to our lives. It only played upon our baser nature,
Regardless, representation with religious items is not what Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are all about. The membership class never taught me about repentance, what Jesus meant about being born again, baptism and especially baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the meaning of actual discipleship, that is, walking and talking and accepting changes internally, externally, and eternally.
Those steps are all teachings of Jesus and written down very clearly in the Bible. They are there for everyone’s benefit. “Why,” I wondered, “weren’t they taught in that membership class?”
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them {into} the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” — Matthew 28:19–20 , New International Version, {my edit}.
Please note that I took the liberty to change “in” to “into,” because the act of baptism that means by repentance and being born again, a person has become a member of the family of God — not what I was taught, “a member of the church.”
“What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.” — Galatians 6:15, New Living Translation.
Let’s see now, did you ever hear that preached in your church or anywhere else for that matter?
Earnestly seek God. Honestly ask questions. Discover the reality of Jesus’ being present in your life…
