What Does Baptism Signify?
A reformation is needed in the behavior of the worshippers of God
The time was ripe. God had blessed king David with prosperity, giving him “rest round about from all his enemies” (2 Samuel 7:1). While enjoying a time of peace, he contemplated his richly decorated palace and thought about the ark of the covenant. So he spoke with Nathan the prophet, saying: “See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains” (verse 2).
Since David, as a man of war, had shed much blood (1 Chronicles 22:8), the Lord did not permit him to build the magnificent temple that he was planning to construct for Him. But he was given the privilege of drawing the architectural design for the building under the guidance of the Spirit of Christ. And the plan was to be carried out by Solomon, his son, who was the heir to the throne of Israel (1 Chronicles 22:6, 9-11; 28:6).
Mount Moriah, the hill where Abraham’s faith had been tested when he was called to offer up his son Isaac (2 Chronicles 3:1), was chosen for the erection of the Temple. As soon as there was a decision about the plan and the site of the prospective building, David started making the needed preparations (1 Chronicles 22:5) which were completed by Solomon (1 Kings 5:2-9).
This great work began 480 years after the children of Israel had been delivered from Egypt (1 Kings 6:1) and was completed in seven years (1 Kings 6:38). Over 150,000 men were employed in that huge enterprise (1 Kings 5:15, 16), which stood as one of the most impressive wonders of the ancient world.
An interesting point which should be borne in mind: The Temple was built with stones prepared at the quarry, so that no noise of hammer, or ax, or any iron tool was heard at the building site (1 Kings 6:7). There is a great lesson for us in this fact.
“Humility and reverence should characterize the deportment of all who come into the presence of God. . . . There are those who address the great and all-powerful and holy God, who dwelleth in light unapproachable, as they would address an equal, or even an inferior. There are those who conduct themselves in His house as they would not presume to do in the audience chamber of an earthly ruler. These should remember that they are in His sight whom seraphim adore, before whom angels veil their faces.”1
Those who realize what it means to come into the presence of the great I AM will, like Jacob, have a feeling of awe for God, for His Word, for His house, and for all sacred things. When Jacob awoke from his dream in which he had seen a vision of God, he said:
“Surely the Lord is in this place. . . . How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” (Genesis 28:16, 17).
Jacob’s experience teaches us that, no matter how humble the meeting place may be, where two or three are gathered together in the name of Christ, they are in the presence of the Creator of the universe (Matthew 18:20).
“Happy are those who have a sanctuary, be it high or low, in the city or among the rugged mountain caves, in the lowly cabin or in the wilderness. If it is the best they can secure for the Master, He will hallow the place with His presence, and it will be holy unto the Lord of hosts.”2
“The house of God is often desecrated, and the Sabbath violated by Sabbath-believers’ children. In some cases they are even allowed to run about the house, play, talk, and manifest their evil tempers in the very meetings where the saints should worship God in the beauty of holiness. And the place that should be holy, and where a holy stillness should reign, and where there should be perfect order, neatness, and humility, is made to be a perfect Babylon, ‘confusion.’ This is enough to bring God’s displeasure and shut His presence from our assemblies.”3
“Common talking, whispering, and laughing should not be permitted in the house of worship, either before or after the service. Ardent, active piety should characterize the worshipers.
“If some have to wait a few minutes before the meeting begins, let them maintain a true spirit of devotion by silent meditation, keeping the heart uplifted to God in prayer that the service may be of special benefit to their own hearts and lead to the conviction and conversion of other souls. They should remember that heavenly messengers are in the house. We all lose much sweet communion with God by our restlessness, by not encouraging moments of reflection and prayer. The spiritual condition needs to be often reviewed and the mind and heart drawn toward the Sun of Righteousness. If when the people come into the house of worship, they have genuine reverence for the Lord and bear in mind that they are in His presence, there will be a sweet eloquence in silence. The whispering and laughing and talking which might be without sin in a common business place should find no sanction in the house where God is worshiped. The mind should be prepared to hear the word of God, that it may have due weight and suitably impress the heart.
“When the minister enters, it should be with dignified, solemn mien. He should bow down in silent prayer as soon as he steps into the pulpit, and earnestly ask help of God. What an impression this will make! There will be solemnity and awe upon the people. Their minister is communing with God; he is committing himself to God before he dares to stand before the people. Solemnity rests upon all, and angels of God are brought very near. Every one of the congregation, also, who fears God should with bowed head unite in silent prayer with him that God may grace the meeting with His presence and give power to His truth proclaimed from human lips. When the meeting is opened by prayer, every knee should bow in the presence of the Holy One, and every heart should ascend to God in silent devotion. The prayers of faithful worshipers will be heard, and the ministry of the word will prove effectual. The lifeless attitude of the worshipers in the house of God is one great reason why the ministry is not more productive of good. The melody of song, poured forth from many hearts in clear, distinct utterance, is one of God’s instrumentalities in the work of saving souls. All the service should be conducted with solemnity and awe, as if in the visible presence of the Master of assemblies.
“When the word is spoken, you should remember, brethren, that you are listening to the voice of God through His delegated servant. Listen attentively. Sleep not for one instant, because by this slumber you may lose the very words that you need most - the very words which, if heeded, would save your feet from straying into wrong paths. Satan and his angels are busy creating a paralyzed condition of the senses so that cautions, warnings, and reproofs shall not be heard; or if heard, that they shall not take effect upon the heart and reform the life. Sometimes a little child may so attract the attention of the hearers that the precious seed does not fall into good ground and bring forth fruit. Sometimes young men and women have so little reverence for the house and worship of God that they keep up a continual communication with each other during the sermon. Could these see the angels of God looking upon them and marking their doings, they would be filled with shame, with abhorrence of themselves. God wants attentive hearers. It was while men slept that Satan sowed his tares.
“When the benediction is pronounced, all should still be quiet, as if fearful of losing the peace of Christ. Let all pass out without jostling or loud talking, feeling that they are in the presence of God, that His eye is resting upon them, and that they must act as in His visible presence. Let there be no stopping in the aisles to visit or gossip, thus blocking them up so that others cannot pass out. The precincts of the church should be invested with a sacred reverence. It should not be made a place to meet old friends and visit and introduce common thoughts and worldly business transactions. These should be left outside the church. God and angels have been dishonored by the careless, noisy laughing and shuffling of feet heard in some places.
“Parents, elevate the standard of Christianity in the minds of your children; help them to weave Jesus into their experience; teach them to have the highest reverence for the house of God and to understand that when they enter the Lord’s house it should be with hearts that are softened and subdued by such thoughts as these: ‘God is here; this is His house. I must have pure thoughts and the holiest motives. I must have no pride, envy, jealousy, evil surmising, hatred, or deception in my heart, for I am coming into the presence of the holy God. This is the place where God meets with and blesses His people. The high and holy One who inhabiteth eternity looks upon me, searches my heart, and reads the most secret thoughts and acts of my life.’
“Brethren, will you not devote a little thought to this subject and notice how you conduct yourselves in the house of God and what efforts you are making by precept and example to cultivate reverence in your children? You roll vast responsibilities upon the preacher and hold him accountable for the souls of your children; but you do not sense your own responsibility as parents and as instructors and, like Abraham, command your household after you, that they may keep the statutes of the Lord.”4
The original Temple was built with windows that were broad within and narrow without (1 Kings 6:4, margin). The Temple had two doors, each of which consisted of two leaves ornamented with carvings on them - cherubims, palm trees, and open flowers (Verses 33-35).
Behind the holy place was the most holy place also called “the holy of holies,” or “the inner house,” or “the oracle” (Verses 20, 23, 27). The cedar walls of the most holy place were decorated with carved knops (gourds) and open flowers (Verse 18), and the floor was overlaid with gold (Verse 30).
The Temple had two courts - the inner court (or the upper court of the priests) and the great court (2 Kings 23:12; 2 Chronicles 4:9; Jeremiah 36:10). In the court of the priests were a brazen altar for sacrifice (1 Kings 8:64; 2 Kings 16:14), plus a brazen sea and ten brazen lavers (1 Kings 7:23-29). The brazen sea was for the priests to wash themselves, and the lavers contained water for washing the things that belonged to the burnt offerings (2 Chronicles 4:6). The great court (or outer court) was for the people of Israel to assemble for worship (Jeremiah 26:2).
When the Temple was ready, Solomon’s dedicatory prayer was inspired by a sense of God’s greatness and a realization of His holy presence - a sense with which we should all be impressed.
“Angels, when they speak [God’s holy and reverend] name, veil their faces. With what reverence, then, should we, who are fallen and sinful, take [that name] upon our lips!”5