Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the church as a temple is deeply rooted in biblical theology, reflecting the dwelling place of God among His people. This imagery is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating the transition from a physical structure to a spiritual community.Old Testament Foundations In the Old Testament, the temple was the central place of worship for the Israelites, symbolizing God's presence among His people. The construction of the temple by Solomon is a pivotal event, as recorded in 1 Kings 6-8. The temple was a physical structure where sacrifices were offered, and God's glory dwelled in the Holy of Holies. The psalmist expresses the significance of the temple in Psalm 27:4 : "One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple." New Testament Revelation With the coming of Christ, the understanding of the temple undergoes a profound transformation. 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 New Testament further expands this concept by identifying the church as the temple of God. 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 unity of the church. The Church as a Spiritual Temple The apostle Peter also contributes to this understanding by describing believers as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). This metaphor highlights the dynamic and growing nature of the church, constructed upon the foundation of Christ, the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:19-22 further elaborates on this theme: "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but 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 underscores the unity and diversity within the church, as believers from all backgrounds are integrated into a single, holy temple. Eschatological Fulfillment The imagery of the temple reaches its eschatological fulfillment in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 21:22 , John describes the New Jerusalem, stating, "But I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple." This vision signifies the ultimate realization of God's presence with His people, where the need for a physical temple is surpassed by the direct and eternal communion with God. Throughout Scripture, the concept of the church as a temple serves as a powerful reminder of God's desire to dwell among His people, transforming them into a holy community that reflects His glory. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 1:9So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat on a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 3:3 2 Kings 11:10,13 Ezra 4:1 Psalm 5:7 Psalm 11:4 Psalm 27:4 Psalm 29:9 Psalm 48:9 Psalm 68:29 Isaiah 6:1 Malachi 3:1 Matthew 4:5 Matthew 23:16 Luke 18:10 Luke 24:53 Library The Holy Spirit and the Church. The Church is the Temple of God. The Temple Spoken of by Christ is the Church. Application to the ... The Temple which Christ Says He Will Raise up is the Church. How ... How He Destroyed the Temple of Venus at Heliopolis, and Built the ... Seances Historiques De Geneve --The National Church. The Promises Addressed to Jerusalem in the Prophets Refer to the ... It Follows after Commendation of the Trinity, "The Holy Church. .. ... Final Settlement of the Church by St. John The Holy Soul a More Excellent Temple than any Edifice Built by ... Comparison Between the False Church and the True. 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 |
    |