“WE AFFIRM that in the Old Testament God revealed Himself to people in temporary altars, tabernacles, and temples. We affirm that these locations served as points on earth where God and man would meet. We affirm, therefore, that altars, tabernacles, and temples had a real validity in the worship of God’s people. We also affirm that all these found their fulfillment in Jesus who is the final revelation of God and the meeting place between God and man. We affirm that, after Jesus, no earthly location possesses peculiar spiritual significance as a portal to access divine blessing or as an indispensable place for worship.“
“WE AFFIRM that local church buildings are or should have altars which serve as points of connection to heaven. We also deny that Christians are required to ‘raise up’ visible or invisible altars in order to gain spiritual control of any particular territory. We deny that special deliverances are required to tear down invisible altars in order to rid families, churches, cities, or countries of spiritual evil.“
It is TRUE that, alongside their connection to the worship of Yahweh, the True God, altars in the Old Testament were also associated with the worship of false gods. Against these evil altars, God commanded total destruction. In their place, He directed His people to establish true worship where He Himself had appointed (Deut. 12:2–7). This command flowed from the very first commandment: Israel was to have no other gods besides Him. Thus, tearing down pagan altars was both a rejection of idolatry and an affirmation of exclusive faithfulness to Yahweh. Kings such as Hezekiah (2 Kgs. 18:4) and Josiah (2 Kgs. 23:4–20) sought to obey this command, though the nation as a whole never fully abandoned idol worship. Their persistent compromise ultimately led to exile.
Yet it is important to see what the destruction or construction of altars was NOT. It was never a method for overcoming personal sin or problems. Nowhere in Scripture do we hear, “Because I have been unable to conceive a child, I must destroy the altar of barrenness in my life,” or, “Because my family has this pattern of behaviour, I must raise an altar to fight it.” Rather, the establishment of altars (and destroying evil altars) by God’s people was purely for worship to Him. It was a means of demonstrating their consecration (devotion) exclusively to God in gratitude, remembrance and repentance. It was not a means to transact with Him for favors.
In the New Testament, believers are never instructed to raise or destroy altars. However, the first commandment — to have no other gods — remains binding. Christians are repeatedly warned against idolatry (1 Cor. 10:14; 1 John 5:21; 1 Thess. 1:9; Col. 3:5). Instead of altars, the sacrifices commanded of believers are spiritual. Chief among these is to present ourselves as “living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1). The call is to live a life wholly devoted to Him. Therefore, if we are to see any continuity with the Old Testament practices, it is in this: we ought to be tearing down the idols of our hearts and presenting our entire lives daily as sacrifices to the Lord.
Therefore, it is FALSE to claim that Christians must destroy “altars of sickness, poverty, or addiction” and raise in their place “altars of health, wealth, or freedom.” Such practices drift dangerously close to superstition and even witchcraft—both of which are utterly condemned in Scripture (Lev. 20:27; Deut. 18:9–12; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Tim. 4:7).
And so, dear Christian, are you suffering? Pray to God about it (Jas. 5:13). Are you in need? Make your requests known to Him (Phil. 4:6; 1 John 5:15). Our God is more than able to answer you in His wisdom and love. You do not need to break or build an altar to resolve your troubles. Instead, seek the true work God requires: destroy idols in your heart (those things you love more than Him) and devote yourself more fully to Christ, even in the midst of trials.
