THE SANCTUARY     BY STEVE FINNELL

Is there a sanctuary located in the local church building? No, the sanctuary is located in heaven. Hebrews 8:1-2 Now the main point in what has been said is this:we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.

There is a sanctuary and tabernacle, however, it is in heaven not on earth.

Under the old covenant there was an earthly sanctuary and tabernacle. Hebrews 9:1-3 Now even the first covenant and regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. 3. Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies,

Under the new covenant there is not an earthly sanctuary, there is no earthly tabernacle. That ended when Jesus died on the cross. Matthew 27:45-53.....And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two....

There is no longer an earthly sanctuary, no earthly tabernacle, no Holy of Holies on earth. The place we gather to worship on Sunday may be a worship center or an assembly hall, but it is not a sanctuary.

The only thing holy in the contemporary church buildings are the blood bought Christians who assemble there. Christians are holy because of the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit.

THERE IS NO EARTHLY SANCTUARY!

  

sanctuary Defined !    

1. a sacred or holy place.

2.

Judaism.

1. the Biblical tabernacle or the Temple in Jerusalem.
2. the holy of holies of these places of worship.

3.

an especially holy place in a temple or church.

4.

the part of a church around the altar; the chancel.

5.

a church or other sacred place where fugitives were formerly entitled to immunity from arrest.

6.

immunity afforded by refuge in such a place.

7.

any place of refuge; asylum.

1. New Testament church buildings are not sacred nor are they a holy places.

2. New Testament church buildings are not Jewish.

3. New Testament church buildings are not holy places nor are they temples.

4. New Testament church building do not have altars.

5. New Testament church buildings are not where fugitives are entitled to immunity from arrest.

6. New Testament church buildings are not refuges for immunity from arrest.

7. New Testament church buildings are not places of asylum.

What are New Testament church buildings? They are where Christians assembly for teaching, preaching, fellowship, praising God, and studying the apostles doctrine. 

New Testament church buildings are not sanctuaries nor is any particular room in them a sanctuary.