Topical Bible: Dedication of Houses

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The dedication of houses in the biblical context refers to the act of consecrating a dwelling place to God, seeking His blessing and protection over it. This practice is rooted in the understanding that all possessions, including homes, are ultimately gifts from God and should be used for His glory.

Old Testament Context

The concept of dedicating a house is first seen in the Old Testament, where the Israelites were instructed to dedicate their homes to the Lord. In Deuteronomy 20:5, the officers of Israel are commanded to speak to the people before going into battle, saying, "Has anyone built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in battle and another man dedicate it." This passage highlights the importance of dedicating a house as a significant act that should not be left undone.

The dedication of the temple, as a house of God, is a prominent example of this practice. In 1 Kings 8, Solomon dedicates the temple in Jerusalem with a prayer of consecration, asking for God's presence and blessing. Although this is a communal and national dedication, it sets a precedent for the dedication of individual homes.

Cultural and Religious Significance

In ancient Israel, the dedication of a house was not merely a ceremonial act but a declaration of the household's commitment to live according to God's commandments. It was an acknowledgment that the home was a place where God's presence was to be honored and His laws observed.

The act of dedication often involved prayer, sacrifice, and sometimes the anointing of the house with oil. This was done to set the house apart for God's purposes and to invite His protection and favor upon the inhabitants.

New Testament and Early Christian Practice

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention the dedication of houses, the early Christian community understood the importance of consecrating their living spaces to God. The house church movement, as seen in the book of Acts, reflects the idea that homes were central to the life of the early church. Believers gathered in homes for worship, teaching, and fellowship, indicating that these spaces were considered sacred and dedicated to the Lord's service.

In Acts 16:15, Lydia, after being baptized, invites Paul and his companions to her home, saying, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house." This invitation suggests that her home was a place of hospitality and ministry, dedicated to the work of the Lord.

Modern Application

In contemporary Christian practice, the dedication of a house often involves a special ceremony or service where family members, friends, and church leaders gather to pray over the home. Scriptures may be read, and prayers offered to ask for God's blessing, protection, and guidance for all who dwell within.

The dedication of a house serves as a reminder to Christians that their homes are not only places of physical shelter but also spiritual havens where God's presence is welcomed and His will is pursued. It is an opportunity to commit the household to live in accordance with biblical principles and to use the home as a place of ministry and hospitality.

Biblical References

· Deuteronomy 20:5 : "The officers are to address the army, saying, 'Has anyone built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in battle and another man dedicate it.'"
· 1 Kings 8 : Solomon's prayer of dedication for the temple.
· Acts 16:15 : "And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, 'If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.' And she persuaded us."

The dedication of houses remains a meaningful tradition for many Christians, symbolizing the desire to honor God in all aspects of life, including the home.

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 20:5
And the officers shall speak to the people, saying, What man is there that has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

At the Dedication of a Church
... THE INNER WAY SERMON XXXVI At the Dedication of a Church. ... has faithfully taught us
here, what we must do that our hearts may be clean and pure houses of prayer ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxxvi at the dedication.htm

At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
... of Maccabees - that of illuminating the Temple and private houses - became
characteristic of ... The Feast of the Dedication,' or of Lights,' derived from that ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv at the feast.htm

Death of Arcadius, and Government of Theodosius The
... and all the subjects of the Roman empire as witnesses to her self-dedication. ... taught
him to frequent the church regularly, and to honor the houses of prayer ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter i death of arcadius and.htm

Solomon's Reign.
... (5) Temples or houses of worship are of value in giving dignity to ... (4) [sic] Solomon's
temple: (a) Its size and plan; (b) Its equipment; (c) Its dedication. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xii solomons reign.htm

The Dedications in Every Place.
... was seen the sight which had been desired and prayed for by us all; feasts of
dedication in the cities and consecrations of the newly built houses of prayer ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iii the dedications in every.htm

Prayer and Consecration
... and to Carixenus my daughter to be taken home to their houses and supported for ...
Consecration is the voluntary set dedication of one's self to God, an offering ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/viii prayer and consecration.htm

The Restoration.
... a lapse of about fifty-seven years from the completion and dedication of the ... of effort
to build the temple the Jews were busy building houses for themselves (1 ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xvi the restoration.htm

Whether this Sacrament Ought to be Celebrated in a House and with ...
... in a case of necessity this sacrament can be performed in houses which have ... And on
this account the solemnity of a church dedication is observed for eight days ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether this sacrament ought to 2.htm

The Mendicant Orders
... the accompanying disease and misery called for a new kind of dedication to religion ...
This was established on the lines of houses in other Orders; and although he ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xiii the mendicant orders.htm

Altar and Temple
... from the remote antiquity of the Exodus, and from the dedication of Solomon's ... lots
and set to putting up a church before they had built themselves houses. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm