There is a close link between faith and worship in the sense that both are used to communicate with God. Christians have used them since the days of the Old Testament. They have mutated in form to meet the lifestyles of humanity as years progressed. Faithful are required to engage in the practice as a way of remaining grounded in their religious believes. Worshipers offer petitions and receive communication from God during prayer sessions.
The Old Testament tells tales of sacrifices that were made by worshipers to God for various reasons. Offerings were part of the way of life for Israelite. Priests led through the sacrifice ceremonies since they were considered to hold a special position in the society. What defined a sacrifice was why it was being offered. There was a distinction between personal and communal sacrifices.
Burnt sacrifices were offered to God as the first offspring of a flock or maiden harvest. People observed the direction of the smoke to know if God had accepted their sacrifice. If it went to the skies, they were satisfied that He was pleased with them. Any other direction demanded soul searching to establish where they had made a mistake. Other inclusions on the altar were tithes, cereals, fruits and drinks.
Each sacrifice indicated how people related with God. Some were demanded while others were rituals. The Deity demanded the best produce especially after harvest as an indication that He is the source of all good. People offered without hesitation because they recognized God as the source of all good. Everything would be consumed by fire at the altar. Not even the priests were allowed to taste.
Worshipers are required to make sacrifices to seek absolution of sins as individuals or an entire community. The offerings were burnt but not everything was allowed to become ashes. Priests were allowed to have a share of the sacrifice as representative of God. After such a sacrifice, a person would be accepted back in the community. The crimes or sins committed would be forgotten as they got cleansed.
The desire for peace drove people to make offerings at individual level. This was in fulfillment of vows, in thanks giving or other personal reasons. What one offered remained at his discretion because it was he who knew the reason. It was agreed that anything being offered should bear no blemish. One was allowed to invite other people to share in the offering as a feast.
The philosophy of worshiping has not changed regardless of the changes in form. Sacrifices are offered in form of commodities, cash and assets. Prayer and fasting are the other ways that Christians engage in thanks giving or seek absolution of sins. These activities are an indication of a community that believes that God is the leader of their lives.
It is in living exemplary lives that Christians testify to their faith and worship. They are called upon to live by the commandments of God through charity and generosity. Making these sacrifices resembles the burnt offering whose smoke rose to the sky. It is the pinch that one feels in the process that shows total surrender to the will of God.
The Old Testament tells tales of sacrifices that were made by worshipers to God for various reasons. Offerings were part of the way of life for Israelite. Priests led through the sacrifice ceremonies since they were considered to hold a special position in the society. What defined a sacrifice was why it was being offered. There was a distinction between personal and communal sacrifices.
Burnt sacrifices were offered to God as the first offspring of a flock or maiden harvest. People observed the direction of the smoke to know if God had accepted their sacrifice. If it went to the skies, they were satisfied that He was pleased with them. Any other direction demanded soul searching to establish where they had made a mistake. Other inclusions on the altar were tithes, cereals, fruits and drinks.
Each sacrifice indicated how people related with God. Some were demanded while others were rituals. The Deity demanded the best produce especially after harvest as an indication that He is the source of all good. People offered without hesitation because they recognized God as the source of all good. Everything would be consumed by fire at the altar. Not even the priests were allowed to taste.
Worshipers are required to make sacrifices to seek absolution of sins as individuals or an entire community. The offerings were burnt but not everything was allowed to become ashes. Priests were allowed to have a share of the sacrifice as representative of God. After such a sacrifice, a person would be accepted back in the community. The crimes or sins committed would be forgotten as they got cleansed.
The desire for peace drove people to make offerings at individual level. This was in fulfillment of vows, in thanks giving or other personal reasons. What one offered remained at his discretion because it was he who knew the reason. It was agreed that anything being offered should bear no blemish. One was allowed to invite other people to share in the offering as a feast.
The philosophy of worshiping has not changed regardless of the changes in form. Sacrifices are offered in form of commodities, cash and assets. Prayer and fasting are the other ways that Christians engage in thanks giving or seek absolution of sins. These activities are an indication of a community that believes that God is the leader of their lives.
It is in living exemplary lives that Christians testify to their faith and worship. They are called upon to live by the commandments of God through charity and generosity. Making these sacrifices resembles the burnt offering whose smoke rose to the sky. It is the pinch that one feels in the process that shows total surrender to the will of God.
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