Two weeks ago in my Saturday Post SERIES addressing the jargon of the church I asked, “Can you picture a process of ‘consecration?’“
- You probably picture consecration as a rite of sorts, most specifically a public religious rite.
That’s right and an important view of occasions of consecration.
We also defined anointing, but today I'm not quite ready for 'sanctification' without first briefly examining what some view as consecration in this Common Era.
Even though some rites seem Biblical, some Common Era christians claim their rights in place of observing a religious consecration to God.
And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Consecration a Public Picture
What do you see here?
Short answer:
- Two religious ceremonies,
- one Jewish and
- one (perhaps) christian.
Consecration, whether Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist — Orthodox, Reformed, unaffiliated — Roman Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian or evangelical — atheist or naturist — – consecration is part of a public proclamation of faith — a religious rite.
Who is consecrated?
The answer here seems simple enough. In this instance, the priests who are exclusive Aaron and his sons.
And by extension into an Old Testament context, the Levites are the ONLY Priests anointed and consecrated to serve the LORD on behalf of the church (that is, the Hebrew chosen) as a separate and holy people to God our Father of all creation.
The LORD will judge some Priest and strike them down to death in some instances. The Priest of God and especially the one High Priest bear a weight of accountability for the entire congregation of the Hebrew people.
What is consecrated?
The garments of the priests – the linen cloths and holy garments.
On certain occasions the priest must consecrate all the people and everything in the place of worship.
Even certain times carry an obligation of consecration to the Lord our God:
The LORD instructed Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When a man or woman makes a special vow, a Nazirite vow, to consecrate himself to the LORD..
“He is holy to the LORD during the time of consecration.
Numbers 6:1-2 ,6 CSB
Many Christians speak the priestly blessing of Numbers
More than simply a benediction
The LORD said to Moses,
Numbers 6:22-23 RSV
“Say to Aaron and his sons, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
“SAY to Aaron and his sons (the Priests)” — “SAY to them (the people of Israel)” receiving the blessing of the LORD through HIS command!
DO NOT MISS the weight what the LORD says here.
דָבַר dâbar, daw-bar’; a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue:—answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter
Now you may have recited this COVENANTAL BLESSING in your earlier days; perhaps in English, Latin, some other language, or even in its original Hebrew of the Torah:
יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ׃ ס
יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ׃ ס
יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם׃ ס
Yᵊhōvâ bāraḵ šāmar
Yᵊhōvâ ‘ôr pānîm ‘ôr ‘ēl ḥānan
Yᵊhōvâ nāśā’ pānîm ‘ēl śûm šālôm
Source: BlueLetterBible.org
a New Covenantal Relationship between God and His Church
And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren.
And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
– Instructions of the One Son of God, our only Lord and Savior Christ Jesus
- Do WE casual communicants of our Common Era church worship our ceremony and rites as personal idols?
a Catholic conversation
Excerpt from a Catholic C.E. podcast:
“I think a lot of people have a problem with consecration to Mary.
Fr. H. She’s not Jesus. Gender neutral language, okay, she’s not Jesus-
we don’t want to be gender neutral with the mother of God.
Fr. H. No we don’t.
It’s not directed apparently at least when we say consecration to Mary, maybe you’re going to straighten that out. But the other thing is we have no idea what the word consecration means. What does that mean concentration to?
Fr. H. Well, this is an important topic. And of course, but that’s not the most important aspect of the topic… The term consecration comes in mostly in the 17th century… All right. So that means giving everything over to someone else.
But the word consecration in Catholic theology, and I really don’t like to question what has become a term in popular devotion. And I’m perfectly happy to say consecrate yourself to Mary, it’s a perfectly good expression, but probably the word entrustment is more precise.
“Consecration has an expression that is meant for such things which are given over to God, in the service of God, liturgically especially in him only…
‘Father‘ H. – Roman Catholic theologian
Is every consecration ‘Holy?’
CONSECRATION of Priests according to Scripture, consecration to holiness in ceremonial rites of the Church, leadership of Christ’s flock — like with the Levites, NONE to be taken lightly.
Convocations of Bishops
Error by many Bishops of Rome.
Many Priests and Pastors of all Common Era christian churches have worn the shepherd’s robes of heresy with cunning common rebellion against Jesus Christ, Who IS and WAS and WILL be.
Do we not commonly witness these in everyday culture?
Who so quickly dismisses Scripture and twists the Lord’s instruction?
ἐπίσκοπος – episkopos – masculine noun
A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.
1 Timothy 2:11-12 BSB
Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher.. He must manage his own household well.. He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil…
excerpt from the First Epistle of Paul to Timothy 3: RSV
Pronouns: this, these, etc.
Yet Christ's Apostle is clear in his instruction concerning consecration of leadership of the Church.
God's word is clear as to the humble roles of Christ's servants, both husbands (of a woman) and wives (of a man). NO adultery. NO divorce. NO fornication. NO sinful flesh usurping God-given roles.
NO idolatry of Rite (or of no rite). NO worship of Saint (capital 'S') or Angel. NO idolatry of self or knowledge or earth or sea or tree. NO following of prophet, for the false proclaim false gods.
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
OUR CONSECRATION to GOD is to HOLINESS! And in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit we worship ONLY HIM.
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