Czy dom jest tylko miejscem zamieszkania? Studium biblijne

Sławomir Stasiak

Wrocław – Legnica

Abstract

The multiplicity of the use of both terms, the Hebrew (bajit) and the Greek (ho oikos) also translates into a multiplicity of meanings. The primary meaning is of course its material importance, which describes a place of residence, to which man returns after a special experience, as Zacharias (Lk 1:23), the healed paralytic (Lk 5:24), the messengers of the centurion Cornelius (Lk 7:10), or the possessed, freed from the evil spirit (Lk 8:39). An example of the extension of the meaning of the word “home” is a metaphorical sense of Luke’s work in two volumes – The Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. The concept analysed by us he refers to all members of the family. It is the residents of the house who are the first recipients of the Gospel preached by the disciples (Lk 10:5), whose acceptance or rejection may result in a split in one house (Lk 12:52). Conversion always begins from the head of the family, its faith determines getting baptised by all members of the household (Acts 10:2, 11:14, 18:8) Particularly important meaning of the metaphor concerns home as the human body. Saint Paul developed this metaphor showing Church as the Body of Christ (Lk 11:24).

We have paid particular attention to the importance of the Old Testament concept of bajit. Both the Tent of Meeting (Ex 25:8) and the Temple of Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:27) were called the House of God. God chose these places as a house for himself. However, his presence among the people does not have neither magical nor automatic consequence. God Himself, through the prophet observes: „Heavens is my throne, and the earth is a footstool for my feet. What house do you want to build for me and what place will you give me as a dwelling?” (Is 66:1). The New Testament develops even more the spiritual importance of the dwelling. We can see this especially in the parable about the host who went on a journey and left the running of his house to his servants (Mark 13:34-35). This house is also home to all its residents – members of God’s family (Eph 2:19-20). The church is the house of God, which must be properly ruled, hence the instruction that Paul addressed to Timothy (1 Tim 3:15). Every home on earth could become the House of God, if the Eucharist was being celebrated there (Acts 2:46). The early Christians clearly distinguished between the place of prayer (the Temple of Jerusalem ) from the place of celebration of the Eucharist (the house of Christians).

Schlagworte:

dom, dom Boży, Kościół, ciało człowieka, mieszkańcy