Furniture in the Church 2 - The Altar

The second major furnishing of the church is the altar, which is the focal point of the Services of the Church.  The altar is the place to which our worship is directed and is usually made out of stone or wood. The term comes from the Latin word altare which means the place or structure where a sacrifice is offered. The top of the altar is called the mensa, a Latin term meaning “table”, since this is where the Lord’s Supper is prepared and served and Christ’s sacrifice is given for us. The altar portrays an aura of dignity and honor, evoking feelings of reverence and respect for being in the presence of our holy God. Hence, it is located in the front and center of the chancel as a visual symbol that the Gospel proclamation of the church centers in Christ crucified. The altar sits on the upper step in the chancel, called the predella or footpace. There are two possible locations for the altar on the predella: against the back wall of the chancel or a “free standing” altar, moved forward from the wall so the pastor can stand behind it during parts of the liturgy.

The main purpose for the altar is that it serves as a symbol of Christ and His perfect sacrifice for sin. In the Old Testament, the people of God would sacrifice offerings to the Lord. These sacrifices pointed forward to the once and final sacrifice that God Himself would make on the altar of the cross. The very Son of God, Jesus Himself, “appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:26). Often times, the mensa is engraved with five crosses, one on each corner and one in the middle, representing the five wounds of Christ (hands, feet, and side).

The altar is also reminiscent of the ark of the covenant (Ex. 37) on which sat the mercy seat of God (His throne) as its lid, and in which was placed the tablets of the covenant (the 10 Commandments), Aaron’s staff that budded, and a golden urn holding manna. The ark received the sacrifices for the sins of God’s people as it served as the altar of atonement. It was located in the Holy of Holies in the Temple, the location where the glory of the Lord dwelt.  Read Hebrews 9-10 for further explanation of how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament Laws, keeps the covenant for His people and establishes the New Covenant.

Lastly, and of great importance, the altar serves as a focal point of God’s presence with His people.  This is why when the pastor and congregation speak together the words of the liturgy, we do so facing the altar (and looking toward the east). No more clearly can we experience God’s presence with us than at the altar.  The altar serves as the place where the elements for the Lord’s Supper are prepared, consecrated and distributed. It is in this holy meal where Jesus gives His very body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins.  Hence, the altar is not only about death, but it is a place of life!  This is why we reverence the altar when we approach it – for Christ delivers Himself to His people in His Sacrament distributed from this place.

note: post 2/11 adapted from my brother's writings