The term "Church: House of God" refers to the concept of the church as a sacred space where believers gather to worship, pray, and experience the presence of God. This idea is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, where the dwelling place of God among His people is a central theme.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, the "house of God" initially referred to the tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem. These were physical structures where God's presence dwelt among the Israelites. The tabernacle, described in detail in the book of Exodus, was a portable sanctuary used during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. God instructed Moses, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8).

The temple, built by Solomon, became the permanent "house of God" in Jerusalem. It was a place of sacrifice, worship, and divine encounter. Solomon's dedication of the temple is recorded in 1 Kings 8, where he acknowledges, "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). Despite its grandeur, Solomon recognized that the temple was but a symbol of God's greater presence.

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, the concept of the "house of God" undergoes a significant transformation. With the coming of Jesus Christ, the focus shifts from a physical building to a spiritual community. Jesus Himself is described as the cornerstone of this new spiritual house. The Apostle Paul writes, "In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:21).

The church, as the body of Christ, becomes the new "house of God." Believers are described as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). This imagery emphasizes the communal and dynamic nature of the church, where each member plays a vital role in the spiritual edifice.

The Church as a Sacred Assembly

The early Christian community gathered in homes and other meeting places, yet these gatherings were considered sacred. The Apostle Paul refers to the church as "the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). This description underscores the church's role as a custodian of divine truth and a place where God's presence is manifest.

Worship and the Presence of God

Worship in the "house of God" is central to the life of the church. The New Testament encourages believers to gather regularly for worship, teaching, fellowship, and prayer. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts, "Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching" .

The church is also a place where the sacraments, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper, are administered. These sacred rites are means of grace, through which believers experience the presence and work of God in their lives.

Conclusion

The "Church: House of God" is a profound biblical concept that transcends physical structures. It embodies the idea of a spiritual community where God's presence dwells among His people. Through worship, fellowship, and the proclamation of truth, the church serves as a beacon of God's kingdom on earth, inviting all to experience His grace and love.Genesis 28:17,22
And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
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Joshua 9:23
Now therefore you are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being slaves, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
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Judges 18:31
And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
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Judges 20:18,26
And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
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Judges 21:2
And the people came to the house of God, and stayed there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;
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1 Chronicles 9:11
And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;
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1 Chronicles 24:5
Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
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2 Chronicles 5:14
So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
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2 Chronicles 22:12
And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
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2 Chronicles 24:13
So the workmen worked, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.
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2 Chronicles 33:7
And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
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2 Chronicles 36:19
And they burnt the house of God, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.
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Ezra 5:8,15
Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goes fast on, and prospers in their hands.
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Ezra 7:20,23
And whatever more shall be needful for the house of your God, which you shall have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
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Nehemiah 6:10
Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay you; yes, in the night will they come to slay you.
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Nehemiah 11:11
Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God.
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Nehemiah 13:11
Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
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Psalm 42:4
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy day.
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Psalm 52:8
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
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Psalm 55:14
We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in company.
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Psalm 84:10
For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
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Ecclesiastes 5:1
Keep your foot when you go to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
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Isaiah 2:3
And many people shall go and say, Come you, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
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Hosea 9:8
The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.
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Joel 1:16
Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yes, joy and gladness from the house of our God?
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Micah 4:2
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
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Zechariah 7:2
When they had sent to the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD,
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Matthew 12:4
How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
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1 Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
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Hebrews 10:21
And having an high priest over the house of God;
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1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
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Psalm 135 Part 1 the Church is God's House and Care.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 135 PART 1 The church is God's house and care.
v.1-4,14,19-21 ... The church is God's house and care. Praise ye the Lord, exalt his ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 135 part 1 the.htm

Psalm 135:1. 1-4 14 19 21. First Part. LM The Church is God's ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 135:1. 1-4 14 19 21. First Part. LM
The church is God's house and care. 1 Praise ye the Lord ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 135 1 0 4-jan 14 19.htm

On Sleeping in Church
... There are many who place abundance of merit in going to church, although it be ... These
are the dispositions men should bring into the house of God, and then ...
/.../swift/three sermons three prayers/on sleeping in church.htm

The Church, the Place of Worship
... As "God's house," all of His children have a rightful place there. ... Wherever possible,
the church should be open every day and all day for private prayer and ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/the church the place of.htm

Spiritual Revival, the Want of the Church
... What! is Christ the Husband of his church, and has she had no fellowship with him
for all this time? ... He will go up to the house of God; but he will say of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 44 1898/spiritual revival the want of.htm

Treatise i. On the Unity of the Church.
... men to dwell with one mind in a house." [3128] In the house of God, in the Church
of Christ, men dwell with one mind, and continue in concord and simplicity. ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise i on the unity.htm

The Abiding of the Spirit the Glory of the Church
... they could not build His house, because of their poverty; but, saith the Lord of
hosts, "The silver and the gold are mine." When the church of God believes in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the abiding of the spirit.htm

The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions.
... said, that by the term "church" is included all that is meant from the Church Universal
to the meeting of the church in the house. Wherever God's people meet ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the church.htm

Prayer and Devotion
... Social affinities attract us to the house of God, not the spirit of the occasion.
Church membership keeps us after a fashion decent in outward conduct and with ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/iii prayer and devotion.htm

Psalm CXXVII.
... of God is the people of God; for the house of God is the temple of God....This is ...
the simplicity which is in Christ." [5517] He was guarding the Church. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxvii.htm

What are appropriate reasons for missing church? | GotQuestions.org

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What is meant by High Church and Low Church? | GotQuestions.org

Church: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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