What makes a room or building a sanctuary?

Answer

A sanctuary is a holy place set apart for the purpose of worship. All around the world, churches gather in schools, houses, gymnasiums, community centers, parks, and other locations. During a few hours each week, these places are transformed into sanctuaries. What transforms an ordinary room—such as a gymnasium—into a sanctuary?

When we mention the word church, we often visualize a building. Sometimes, this term evokes an image of a structure with a steeple or a long aisle lined with pews. However, this is not how God defines the church. Instead, He refers to everyone who has embraced Christ as “the church” (see Colossians 4:15). Therefore, the church pertains to people, not a physical structure.

Understanding this is crucial because when we gather with other Christians, we collectively form the church and have the ability to turn any room into a sanctuary. Through the act of worshipping God, an ordinary space is transformed into a sanctuary—a place designated for worship.

This concept of a sanctuary is well articulated in the Old Testament.

The first mention of a sanctuary is found in Exodus 15:17: “You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance—the place, LORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.” The sanctuary served as a place for God to reside among His people.

Exodus 25:8 reinforces this idea: “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.”

Psalm 68:35 declares, “You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!”

In the Old Testament, the sanctuary was represented by the tabernacle and later the temple—a location where the Lord dwelled among His people. His presence was manifested in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, serving as a profound reminder to the Israelites.

Our “sanctuaries” today differ significantly from the original sanctuary of the Israelites. Following Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the concept of the sanctuary evolved.Resurrection, a unique dwelling place, no longer exists. The Lord dwells within us as believers “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”, (1 Corinthians 3:16). The places of assembly we refer to as sanctuaries are consecrated for the church to worship the Lord.