Dictionary of Bible Themes Formal outward practices and rituals symbolising or marking events of importance or spiritual significance. Although they had their place in biblical cultural life, they may become empty and hypocritical, losing their deep spiritual meaning. Ceremonies thus become symbolic of empty legalism which should be rejected. Genesis 50:7,10-11Ceremonies marking important events Exodus 13:2Different stages in life Judges 14:10Jeremiah 34:5 John 2:1-2; 20:4 Nehemiah 13:9 See also Temple worship 1 Kings 9:251 Chronicles 16:40 2 Chronicles 8:13; 29:15 Psalms 5:7; 118:19-20; 138:2 Acts 3:1 Some psalms include excerpts from temple liturgy relating to parts of temple-based worship ceremonies: Acts 13:2-3See also Appointing leaders Leviticus 8:301 Samuel 16:13 1 Kings 1:39 Acts 6:5-6; 9:17 1 Timothy 4:14 Ruth 4:7-8 See also Historical events Genesis 35:14Exodus 12:14; 13:9 Joshua 4:4-9 1 Samuel 7:12 Luke 22:19 pp 1Co 11:24-25 Matthew 18:20Ceremonies as spiritual symbols of God's presence See also Exodus 30:25-29There is a sense in which any gathering of believers is ceremonially symbolic of God's presence. Numbers 4:4; 10:35-361 Kings 8:3-6 The ark of the covenant was a symbol of God's presence among his people. It, and its location, the tabernacle and later, the Most Holy Place, were therefore centres of the most elaborate ceremonies 1 Kings 8:29pp 2Ch 5:4-7 1 Chronicles 6:49Hebrews 9:1-7 pp 2Ch 6:20 Leviticus 12:3Initiation ceremonies See also Circumcision Genesis 17:10Joshua 5:2 Luke 2:21-24 Matthew 28:19 See also Baptism Acts 2:38; 16:33-341 Peter 3:21 Exodus 30:18-20 Ceremonies relating to ritual cleansing See also Leviticus 14:14-18; 16:26; 22:6Numbers 19:7 Hebrews 9:10 Many aspects of ritual activity were added to the biblical ones in Jewish laws and regulations. Leviticus 17:11Ceremonies relating to atonement See also Leviticus 4:20; 8:30-35; 16:10Hebrews 5:1 Luke 22:15-16 Ceremonies conveying spiritual realities See also Passover: a ceremony symbolising salvation history 2 Kings 23:21-22Ezra 6:21-22 Matthew 26:17 pp Mk 14:12 John 3:5pp Lk 22:7-9 See also Baptism: a ceremony symbolising new birth Acts 10:48; 22:16Galatians 3:27 Colossians 2:12 Matthew 19:6 Marriage: a ceremony symbolising faithful partnership Ephesians 5:25-28Hebrews 13:4 pp Mk 10:9 Revelation 19:7Matthew 23:25 Ceremonies which lapsed into hypocrisy See also Washing ceremonies without accompanying inner cleanliness Matthew 23:27-28Mark 7:4 Amos 5:21-22 See also Sacrificial ceremonies without inner repentance 1 Samuel 15:22Psalms 51:16-17 Isaiah 1:11-17 Hosea 8:11-13 Malachi 1:8 1 Corinthians 7:19 See also Initiation ceremonies without real commitment Acts 15:1,8-10Romans 2:28-29 Galatians 5:6 Galatians 5:1 Jesus Christ brings freedom from meaningless ceremonies See also Galatians 4:8-10Ephesians 2:14-18 Colossians 2:13-23 Hebrews 7:18-19 See also 5173 outward appearance5588 traditions 5743 widows 7404 ordinances 7422 ritual 7957 sacraments 8142 religion 8622 worship 8774 legalism 8784 nominal religion |
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