The concept of the Church as a sacred institution is deeply rooted in biblical theology, where it is often depicted as the body of Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit. The defilement of the Church, therefore, is a grave offense in the eyes of God, warranting divine punishment. This entry explores the biblical basis for the belief that defiling the Church will be met with judgment.

Biblical Foundation

1. The Church as the Temple of God: The Apostle Paul emphasizes the sanctity of the Church in his letters. 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." This passage underscores the holiness of the Church and the severe consequences for those who defile it.

2. The Body of Christ: The Church is also described as the body of Christ, with Christ as its head. In Ephesians 1:22-23 , Paul states, "And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." The defilement of the Church, therefore, is an affront to Christ Himself, warranting divine retribution.

3. Warnings Against False Teachings and Division: The New Testament contains numerous warnings against false teachings and divisions within the Church, which can be seen as forms of defilement. In Galatians 1:8-9 , Paul warns, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!" This curse signifies the seriousness of corrupting the Church's teachings.

4. Judgment on Unrepentant Sin: The early Church dealt with sin within its community with seriousness, as seen in the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 . Their deceit and hypocrisy led to immediate divine judgment, serving as a warning to the Church about the consequences of defilement through sin.

5. The Role of Church Discipline: Church discipline is a mechanism to maintain the purity of the Church. In 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 , Paul instructs, "What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked man from among you.'" This directive highlights the responsibility of the Church to address internal defilement to avoid divine punishment.

Historical and Theological Perspectives

Throughout Church history, the defilement of the Church has been a concern for theologians and church leaders. The Reformation, for example, was partly a response to perceived corruption within the Church. Theological discussions often focus on maintaining doctrinal purity and moral integrity to prevent defilement.

Eschatological Implications

The defilement of the Church has eschatological implications, as seen in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation. In Revelation 2:14-16 , the church in Pergamum is warned, "But I have a few things against you: You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam... Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth." This warning illustrates the future judgment awaiting those who defile the Church.

In summary, the defilement of the Church is a serious offense with both immediate and eternal consequences. The biblical narrative consistently affirms that God will punish those who corrupt His holy institution, emphasizing the need for vigilance, purity, and adherence to sound doctrine within the Church.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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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

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