Sanctuary is a term with deep historical, theological, and symbolic significance within the Christian faith. Traditionally, a sanctuary refers to a sacred or holy place, often a specific area within a church where worship, prayer, and the sacraments are conducted. It also carries broader meanings related to God’s presence, protection, and the concept of refuge. The idea of sanctuary has evolved over time, encompassing both physical spaces and spiritual concepts that play a crucial role in Christian worship and theology.

Historical Context

Old Testament Origins

The concept of a sanctuary as a sacred space dedicated to God’s presence is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. The earliest biblical reference to a sanctuary is the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary built by the Israelites during their wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt.

• Exodus 25:8-9 (NIV):
  

  “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.”

  The sanctuary here is described as a dwelling place for God among His people, a place where His presence is especially manifest.

• The Tabernacle: The Tabernacle served as the central place of worship for the Israelites and housed the Ark of the Covenant. It was a portable sanctuary that moved with the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert, symbolizing God’s presence with His people. The Tabernacle was divided into two main parts: the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies), where the Ark was kept. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year, on the Day of Atonement.
  • Leviticus 16:2 (NIV):
    

    “The LORD said to Moses: ‘Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.'”

  This emphasizes the holiness of the sanctuary and the special requirements for entering God’s direct presence.

• The Temple: Later, the concept of the sanctuary was embodied in the Temple in Jerusalem, built by Solomon as a permanent dwelling place for God’s presence. The Temple became the central place of worship for the Israelites, replacing the Tabernacle.
  • 1 Kings 6:1 (NIV):
    

    “In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites came out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the temple of the LORD.”

  The Temple, like the Tabernacle, was divided into distinct areas, with the Most Holy Place housing the Ark of the Covenant. The Temple served as the primary sanctuary for the Israelites, symbolizing God’s dwelling among His people.

New Testament Developments

In the New Testament, the concept of the sanctuary is transformed by the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus is seen as the ultimate sanctuary, the dwelling place of God among humanity, and His body is described as the true temple.

• John 2:19-21 (NIV):
  

  “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’ They replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ But the temple he had spoken of was his body.”

  Jesus identifies His body as the true temple, the ultimate sanctuary where God’s presence is fully manifested.

• Hebrews 9:11-12 (NIV):
  

  “But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”

  The writer of Hebrews describes Jesus as entering the heavenly sanctuary, offering His own blood for the redemption of humanity, surpassing the earthly sanctuary rituals.

The Church as Sanctuary

After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the Church is understood as the new sanctuary, where God dwells through the Holy Spirit. The body of believers becomes the temple of God.

• 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV):
  

  “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”

  Paul teaches that the Christian community is the new temple, a sanctuary where God’s Spirit resides.

• Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV):
  

  “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

  Here, Paul expands the idea, teaching that all believers are being built into a spiritual sanctuary where God dwells.

Theological Significance

God’s Presence Among His People

The sanctuary, whether as the Tabernacle, the Temple, Jesus’ body, or the Church, consistently represents God’s desire to dwell among His people. The sanctuary is the place where God’s presence is uniquely manifested and where people can approach God.

• Psalm 27:4 (NIV):
  

  “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”

  This verse expresses the longing to be in God’s presence, which the sanctuary provides.

Place of Worship and Sacrifice

The sanctuary is also the primary place of worship and sacrifice in the biblical tradition. It is where offerings are made, prayers are lifted, and God’s holiness is encountered.

• Hebrews 10:19-22 (NIV):
  

  “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”

  Through Jesus, believers now have direct access to the sanctuary of God, where they can worship with confidence.

Refuge and Protection

In a broader sense, the sanctuary represents a place of refuge and protection. This is rooted in the Old Testament, where cities of refuge provided sanctuary to those seeking protection from vengeance.

• Psalm 46:1-2 (NIV):
  

  “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”

  God Himself is described as a sanctuary, a place of safety and refuge for those who seek Him.

Practical Implications for Worship and Life

Church Buildings as Sanctuaries

In Christian practice, church buildings are often referred to as sanctuaries, reflecting their role as places of worship and God’s presence. These spaces are set apart for prayer, the sacraments, and the preaching of God’s Word.

• Reverence and Holiness: Christians are encouraged to treat the sanctuary with reverence, recognizing it as a place where God’s holiness is encountered. This includes attitudes of respect, quietness, and preparation for worship.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:1 (NIV):
    

    “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.”

  This verse underscores the importance of approaching the sanctuary with reverence and readiness to hear from God.

The Body as a Sanctuary

On a personal level, believers are reminded that their bodies are sanctuaries of the Holy Spirit. This understanding calls for a life of holiness, purity, and dedication to God.

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV):
  

  “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

  Recognizing the body as a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit influences how Christians live, encouraging them to honor God in all aspects of their lives.

Seeking Refuge in God

The sanctuary also serves as a symbol of spiritual refuge, encouraging believers to seek God’s protection and strength in times of trouble.

• Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV):
  

  “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'”

  This passage encourages believers to find their sanctuary in God, trusting Him as their protector and refuge.

Broader Thematic Connections

The Presence of God

The sanctuary is deeply connected to the theme of God’s presence throughout Scripture. From the Tabernacle to the Temple, to Christ and the Church, the sanctuary represents God’s desire to dwell among His people and be present in their lives.

• Revelation 21:3 (NIV):
  

  “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.'”

  The ultimate fulfillment of the sanctuary theme is seen in the new creation, where God’s presence is fully realized among His people.

Sacred Space

The concept of sacred space, represented by the sanctuary, reflects the broader biblical theme of places set apart for God’s purposes. This includes physical locations, such as the Temple, but also extends to the people of God as a living sanctuary.

• Isaiah 56:7 (NIV):
  

  “These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

  This verse speaks to the sanctuary as a house of prayer, a sacred space where all nations can come to worship God.

Legacy and Influence in Christian Doctrine

The concept of the sanctuary has had a lasting impact on Christian theology and practice. It continues to shape the design of church buildings, the understanding of sacred space, and the spiritual life of believers. The sanctuary remains a powerful symbol of God’s presence, protection, and holiness in the Christian tradition.

Conservative Reflection on the Sanctuary

From a conservative theological perspective, the sanctuary is viewed as an essential aspect of Christian worship and theology. Conservatives emphasize the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the sanctuary, whether it is a physical church building or the body of believers as the temple of the Holy Spirit. The sanctuary is seen as a place where God’s presence is honored and His holiness is encountered, calling for reverence, purity, and devotion.

Final Thoughts on God’s Love and Jesus

The sanctuary ultimately points to God’s love, as it represents His desire to dwell among His people and provide a place of refuge and communion. In Jesus, the ultimate sanctuary is found, where God’s love is fully revealed through His sacrificial death and resurrection.

• John 14:23 (NIV):
  

  “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.'”

This passage encapsulates the message of the sanctuary: God’s desire to dwell with His people, to make His home with them, and to invite them into a relationship of love and communion. Through Christ, believers are welcomed into the ultimate sanctuary, where they can experience the fullness of God’s presence and love.