Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the Church as the Holy Temple is deeply rooted in biblical theology, reflecting the transition from the physical temple in Jerusalem to the spiritual temple composed of believers in Jesus Christ. This transformation is a central theme in the New Testament, where the Church is depicted as the dwelling place of God through the Holy Spirit.Old Testament Foundations In the Old Testament, the temple in Jerusalem was the central place of worship for the Israelites, symbolizing God's presence among His people. The temple was a sacred space where sacrifices were offered, and the Shekinah glory of God resided. Solomon's dedication of the temple highlights its significance: "But will God indeed dwell on earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built" (1 Kings 8:27). The temple was a foreshadowing of the greater spiritual reality to come. New Testament Revelation With the advent of Christ, the understanding of the temple undergoes a profound shift. Jesus Himself is described as the true temple. In John 2:19-21, Jesus declares, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The apostle John clarifies that Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body, indicating that He is the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity. The apostle Paul further develops this theme by identifying the Church as the body of Christ and, therefore, the new temple. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Paul writes, "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple." Here, the collective body of believers is seen as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the holiness and sanctity of the Church. The Church as a Spiritual House The apostle Peter also contributes to this understanding by describing believers as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house. In 1 Peter 2:4-5, he states, "As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." This imagery underscores the active and dynamic nature of the Church as a living temple, continually growing and offering worship to God. Unity and Diversity in the Holy Temple The Church as the Holy Temple is marked by both unity and diversity. In Ephesians 2:19-22, Paul explains that both Jewish and Gentile believers are "fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit." This passage highlights the unity of believers in Christ, transcending ethnic and cultural barriers, while also recognizing the diversity of the individual members who contribute to the whole. The Eschatological Temple The imagery of the Church as the Holy Temple also has eschatological implications. In the book of Revelation, the ultimate fulfillment of the temple is seen in the New Jerusalem, where "I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (Revelation 21:22). This vision points to the consummation of God's redemptive plan, where His presence will dwell fully and eternally with His people. In summary, the Church as the Holy Temple is a profound biblical truth that encapsulates the presence of God among His people, the unity and diversity of the body of Christ, and the ultimate hope of eternal communion with God. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 5:7But as for me, I will come into your house in the multitude of your mercy: and in your fear will I worship toward your holy temple. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 11:4 Psalm 65:4 Psalm 79:1 Psalm 138:2 Jonah 2:4,7 Micah 1:2 Habakkuk 2:20 Ephesians 2:21 Ephesians 3:17 Library The Holy Spirit and the Church. The Church is the Temple of God. The Holy Soul a More Excellent Temple than any Edifice Built by ... On the Catholic Church, Her Parts and Relations The Temple Spoken of by Christ is the Church. Application to the ... Psalm CXXXVIII. It Follows after Commendation of the Trinity, "The Holy Church. .. ... Easter Litany of the Moravian Church. AD 1749. The Temple which Christ Says He Will Raise up is the Church. How ... The Church, the Place of Worship Psalm XI. Resources Questions about the Church (All) | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the first / original church? Is the original / first church the true church? | GotQuestions.org Is there supposed to be only one church? | GotQuestions.org Church: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Church and State: Attempted Usurpation of Ecclesiastical Functions by Civil Authorities, Reproved Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Appoints Kings Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Directs Administration Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Reproves Rulers Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Withdraws Support and Anoints a Successor Church and State: Manasseh, in Subverting, and Afterward Restoring, the True Religion Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Ahaz, in Transforming the Altars Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Hezekiah, in Reorganizing Temple Service Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jehoash, in Supervising the Repairs of the Temple Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jeroboam, in Subverting the Jewish Religion Church is Clothed in Righteousness Church of Israel in Covenant With God Church of Israel was Relatively Holy Church of Israel: A Type of the Church of Christ Church of Israel: Admission Into, by Circumcision Church of Israel: All Israelites Members of Church of Israel: Attachment of the Jews To Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of Israel Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of the Lord Church of Israel: Established by God Church of Israel: Had: A Spiritual Church Within It Church of Israel: Had: An Appointed Place of Worship Church of Israel: Had: An Ordained Ministry Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Feasts Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Ordinances Church of Israel: Had: The Divine Presence Manifested in It Church of Israel: Members of Excommunicated for Heavy Offenses Church of Israel: Members of Required to Attend Its Worship Church of Israel: Members of Required to Keeps Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Required to Know Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Separated From, While Unclean Church of Israel: Persons Excluded From Church of Israel: Privileges of Church of Israel: Proselytes Admitted Into Church of Israel: Supported by the People Church of Israel: The Depository of Holy Writ Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Praise Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Prayer Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Preaching Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Reading God's Word Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Sacrifice Church: Assembly of the Saints Church: Assembly of the Upright Church: Baptized (Immersed) Into by One Spirit Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord Church: Branch of God's Planting Church: Called the Congregation in the O. T. (K. J. V. And Others) Church: Christian, Divinely Established Church: Church of the Firstborn Church: Church of the Living God Church: City of the Living God Church: Congregation of Saints Church: Congregation of the Lord's Poor Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished Church: Divisions In, to be Shunned Church: Family in Heaven and Earth Church: General Assembly of the Firstborn (People) Church: God Provides Ministers For Church: God's Husbandry (Farm) Church: Golden Candlestick (Lampstand) Church: Government of, Mosaic and Christian Church: Harmonious Fellowship of Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Antioch Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Asia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Babylon Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Caesarea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cenchrea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cilicia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Corinth Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Ephesus Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galatia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galilee Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Jerusalem Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Joppa Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Judaea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Laodicea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Pergamos Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Philadelphia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Samaria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Sardis Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Smyrna Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Syria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thessalonica Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thyatira Church: Lot of God's Inheritance Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed Church: Mountain of the Lord's House Church: Pillar and Ground of the Truth Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Church: Salt and Light of the World Church: Sought Out, a City not Forsaken Church: Strength and Glory of God Church: Temple of the Living God Church: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Church: Worship of, to be Attended The Church is Edified by the Word The Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord The Church: Christ, the Foundation-Stone of The Church: Christ, the Head of The Church: Clothed in Righteousness The Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished The Church: Displays the Wisdom of God The Church: Extent of, Predicted The Church: Glory to be Ascribed to God By The Church: God Provides Ministers For The Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed The Church: Not to be Despised The Church: Purchased by the Blood of Christ The Church: Saints Baptised Into, by One Spirit The Church: Sanctified and Cleansed by Christ The Church: Shows Forth the Praises of God The Church: The Body of Christ The Church: The Object of the Grace of God The Church: The Wicked Persecute Related Terms |
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