Topical Bible: Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished

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The concept of the church as a sacred and holy institution is deeply rooted in biblical theology. The church, often referred to as the "body of Christ," is considered a spiritual temple where God dwells among His people. The defilement of the church, therefore, is a serious offense in the eyes of God, and Scripture warns that such actions will be met with divine punishment.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul addresses the sanctity of the church in his first letter to the Corinthians. He 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" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). This passage underscores the holiness of the church and the severe consequences for those who seek to defile it.

Old Testament Parallels

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of the seriousness with which God regards His dwelling places. The tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem were considered holy, and any defilement was met with strict punishment. In Leviticus 10:1-2, Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, resulting in their immediate death by divine fire. This incident illustrates the gravity of defiling what is sacred to God.

New Testament Warnings

The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing the purity and holiness required of the church. In Revelation, the letters to the seven churches contain warnings against practices that defile the church, such as idolatry and immorality. Revelation 2:14-16 warns the church in Pergamum about holding to the teachings of Balaam, which led to idolatry and immorality, and calls for repentance to avoid judgment.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The defilement of the church can take many forms, including false teaching, moral corruption, and division among believers. The Apostle Peter warns against false teachers who "secretly introduce destructive heresies" (2 Peter 2:1), leading many astray and bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Such actions not only harm the spiritual health of the church but also invite God's judgment.

Divine Justice and Restoration

While the punishment for defiling the church is severe, Scripture also offers a path to restoration through repentance. The call to repentance is a recurring theme in the letters to the churches in Revelation. For instance, the church in Ephesus is urged to "repent and do the works you did at first" (Revelation 2:5) to avoid having their lampstand removed.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently upholds the sanctity of the church as the dwelling place of God among His people. Defiling the church is a grave offense that incurs divine punishment, yet the opportunity for repentance and restoration remains a testament to God's mercy and desire for a holy and pure church.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Corinthians 3:17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Concerning Macedonius, Theodulus, Gratian, Busiris, Basil, and ...
... period, Basil, [1389] presbyter of the church of Ancyra ... own doctrines, and to refrain
from defiling themselves with ... were perpetrated contrary to the will of the ...
/.../chapter xi concerning macedonius theodulus gratian.htm

The Bible the Great Civilizer
... they fancy, what they think of out of church. ... losing their souls, destroying their
souls, defiling their souls ... we may read by hundreds, books which will tell us ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon viii the bible the.htm

Aims of the Papacy.
... have not an experimental knowledge of Christ will be led ... flowed much of the evil
that is defiling the world ... is a striking similarity between the Church of Rome ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /35 aims of the papacy.htm

The First Stages. Ch. 9:51 to 13:21
... influence of hypocrites to the defiling contact with a ... The Church, however, does
provide and inculcate principles ... when the Master appears he will be punished ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the first stages ch.htm

Liberty of Conscience Threatened
... have not an experimental knowledge of Christ will be led ... flowed much of the evil
that is defiling the world ... is a striking similarity between the Church of Rome ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 35 liberty of conscience.htm

Dedication.
... the other hand, virtues receive the defiling appellation of ... impotency of the regenerate,
you will scarcely find ... of Isaiah, when the Jewish church, after having ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/dedication.htm

Substitution
... forth his hand, and taketh the Church to be ... sinner there dabbling his hand in lust,
defiling his garments ... sinner, by the Spirit's teaching, God will not punish ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/substitution.htm

Confession of Sin --A Sermon with Seven Texts
... the same; you have bowed your heads in church, and said ... are aware, was stoned with
stones, for defiling Israel ... For you will observe how kindly Joshua spoke to him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/confession of sina sermon with.htm

The Controversy Ended
... but whose cruelty and evil inventions, defiling the earth ... Those pretended fathers
of the church have an account to ... years he has wrought his will, filling the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 42 the controversy ended.htm

The Controversy Ended.
... but whose cruelty and evil inventions, defiling the earth ... Those pretended fathers
of the church have an account to ... years he has wrought his will, filling the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /42 the controversy ended.htm