Heidi Norton
Incense has been used for centuries in many cultures and religions, including Christianity. The Bible makes several references to burning incense, which is considered a holy act of worship. However, there are differing interpretations of its role in Christian practice. While some Christians continue to use incense in worship, others view it as a remnant of pagan practices. The Bible provides instructions for burning incense, including the ingredients to use, and it is mentioned in the earliest Christian liturgies. Incense is also associated with prayer and is believed to symbolise the relationship between God and God's people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning incense is a divine command | God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense |
| Incense is offered to God in worship | It is a sweet fragrance that helps lift up prayers to God |
| Incense is used in Orthodox Christian worship | It is burned in church as part of purification rituals by priests |
| Incense is not forbidden for Christians | It is not mentioned specifically in Scripture |
| Incense may be offensive to some Christians | It is linked to pagan religions and idol worship |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Incense is a divine command
Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, at his divine command. In Exodus 30, God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord, and it was a holy act of worship. The Bible says in Exodus 30:9a, "You shall not offer strange incense on it". This indicates that there was a specific recipe, manner, place, and procedure for offering incense. The ingredients of this Holy Incense were typically myrrh, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense.
Incense was very common in the Old Testament, and even today, some denominations still burn incense. Catholics, for example, typically burn holy incense in church as part of purification rituals by priests. The use of incense in the Bible is not a suggestion, but a command. In Exodus 30:8, God instructs Aaron to burn incense perpetually before the Lord: "When Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it, perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations".
Burning incense is also mentioned in the New Testament. In Luke 1, Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was offering incense in the Temple when John's birth was announced. The Magi also offered incense to the newborn Christ, a symbol of his divinity according to Saint Irenaeus of Lyons. Incense is described in the last book of the Bible, Saint John's Revelation, where he sees incense used in heavenly worship (5:8).
While the burning of incense is a divine command, it is important to note that the Bible also warns against offering incense with the wrong intentions. In 1 Samuel 15:22, the Bible asks, "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?". This shows that obedience to God should be the priority for Christians. Additionally, when the Israelites burned incense to idols, God became angry (1 Kings 9:25, Isaiah 1:13). Therefore, while incense is a divine command, it must be offered with the right motives and intentions.
Making Incense Sticks at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Incense is used in worship
Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible. Psalm 140/141:2 says: "Let my prayer be set before you as incense; let the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice". This verse is sung daily at Vespers, as the new liturgical day begins with an "evening sacrifice" of prayer and incense.
Incense is also used in private homes by Christians who wish to create an atmosphere of churchly peace, bringing to mind the common prayer of all Christians in all places. The Bible mentions that incense is a symbol of prayers rising to God, and a sweet sacrifice.
However, it is important to note that the Bible also warns against the wrong use of incense. In Isaiah 1:13, God hates the offering of incense by those who have fallen into sin and idolatry, as it is not a true expression of loving worship. Similarly, in Exodus 30:9a, it is stated that one should not offer "strange incense" on the altar. The Bible emphasises that obedience to God and having the right motives are more important than sacrifices or offerings.
Incense Burning: Nuisance or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Incense is a symbol of prayer
Incense has been offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, at his divine command. In Exodus 30, God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord, and it was a holy act of worship. The Bible also mentions that God will not accept incense offered to idols, and that incense should not be used with the wrong intentions.
The use of incense is not mentioned specifically in the earliest Church Fathers. However, it is used in the Divine Liturgy of Saint James, which is one of the oldest Christian liturgies, dating to the first century. Incense is also described in the last book of the Bible, Saint John's Revelation, where he saw incense used in heavenly worship.
The burning of incense is also practised by modern Christians, although it is not a typical Christian practice. Some Christians burn incense in their private homes to create an atmosphere of churchly peace and to connect with the common prayer of all Christians in all places. Catholics typically burn holy incense in church as part of purification rituals performed by priests.
Herbal Incense in Canada: What's the Legal Status?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Incense is linked to pagan religions
Incense has been used in religious practices since ancient times. The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty, 2345-2494 BC, were the first in the non-Asian world to discover the use of incense. The ancient Egyptians burned incense during liturgies honouring Amun-Ra and mortuary rituals to speed up the souls of the departed into the afterlife. The ancient Greeks and Romans also burned incense as offerings to their gods. Incense was also widely used in temple worship in Babylon and Israel.
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible. Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, at his own divine command. In the time of Christ, incense continued to be offered in the Temple. The burning of incense is a holy act of worship. The Bible also mentions that when the people fell away into sin and idolatry, their offering of incense was hated by God (Isaiah 1:13). Incense is also described in the last book of the Bible, Saint John's Revelation, where incense is used in heavenly worship (5:8).
However, due to its ancient roots, incense has also been adopted by modern pagans into their personal and communal spiritual practices. Pagans may use incense to focus their intentions during rituals or spells, or as a sacrifice of being, time, and space. The use of incense in pagan practices may cause concern for Christians who were saved out of paganism. The Bible instructs Christians to consider those of a weak conscience who may construe their use of incense as an approval of idolatrous practices.
Incense Origins: Toxic Fumes from China?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Incense is not forbidden
Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, at his own divine command. In Exodus 30, Moses is given instructions for burning incense in the Temple of God. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord, and it was a holy act of worship. The Bible also mentions that God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense.
Incense is also mentioned in the New Testament. In the time of Christ, incense continued to be offered in the Temple. The Magi offered incense to the newborn Christ, a symbol of his divinity. Incense is described in the last book of the Bible, Saint John's Revelation, where it is used in heavenly worship.
While some people associate incense with pagan religions or occult practices, it is important to note that the Bible does not specifically prohibit Christians from burning incense. The Bible mentions that the use of incense with the wrong intentions, such as worshipping idols rather than God, is what angered the Lord.
Therefore, the decision to burn incense or not depends on the individual Christian's branch of Christianity and personal motives. Some Christians may choose to burn incense as a symbol of their prayers arising to God, while others may avoid it due to its association with pagan practices or health concerns. Ultimately, as long as the intentions are pure and it is not causing a weaker brother in Christ to stumble, burning incense is not forbidden for Christians.
Incense Burning: Biblical or Pagan Practice?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, at his divine command. It is mentioned in Exodus 30, where God gives Moses and Aaron instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It is also mentioned in the last book of the Bible, Saint John's Revelation, where incense is used in heavenly worship.
The purpose of burning incense is to offer it to God as a holy act of worship. It is also mentioned in Psalm 140/141:2, where it says, "Let my prayer be set before you as incense; let the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."
The Bible does not explicitly state that it is a sin for Christians to burn incense. However, the motivation behind burning incense is important. If the motive is to increase the power of prayers or to be more pleasing to God, it may be seen as falling into legalism or mysticism. Christians should also consider the potential struggle that burning incense may cause for those who were saved out of paganism due to the link between incense and pagan religions.
In the Bible, there are certain restrictions on burning incense. Only a High Priest could burn incense in the Altar of Incense in the "Holy Place of Tabernacle" (Exodus 30). The priest can only burn incense in the morning and evening at the Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:7-8). Additionally, one should not burn unauthorized incense (Exodus 30:9a).
The practice of burning incense varies among different branches of Christianity. Catholics typically burn holy incense in church as part of purification rituals, while some Lutherans, Anglicans, and Roman Catholics also use incense. However, it is not a compulsory practice, and some Christians may choose not to burn incense.
