Why Is the Church God's Temple Today?
When Jesus spoke of His own body as the true temple, He changed the way God's people would think about His dwelling place forever.
After His resurrection and ascension, another remarkable truth was revealed.
God now dwells, not in a building, but among His people.
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth,
"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16)
Notice that the word "you" is plural.
Paul is speaking to the church as a whole.
Together, Christians are God's temple.
He makes the same point in Ephesians.
"In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit." (Ephesians 2:21-22)
The imagery is striking.
Believers are described as living stones being built into a spiritual house where God now dwells.
Peter uses the same picture.
"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood." (1 Peter 2:5)
The temple is no longer made of cedar, gold, and carved stone.
It is made of redeemed people.
This helps explain why the New Testament places so little emphasis on sacred buildings.
Christians met in homes, public places, and wherever they could gather. The holiness was never found in the meeting place.
It was found in the people who belonged to Christ.
This truth also carries a serious responsibility.
Because God's Spirit dwells among His people, the church is called to pursue holiness, unity, and love.
Paul warns,
"If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." (1 Corinthians 3:17)
The church is precious because it belongs to God.
It was purchased by Christ's blood.
It is indwelt by His Spirit.
It exists to glorify Him.
The story has now come full circle.
God walked with Adam and Eve in Eden.
He dwelt among Israel in the tabernacle.
His glory filled Solomon's temple.
He dwelt among us in Jesus Christ.
Today He dwells in His people through the Holy Spirit.
Yet even this is not the final chapter.
The Bible still looks forward to a day when God's dwelling with His people will be complete forever.
Continue Your Study
Why Is There No Temple in the New Jerusalem?
The Bible ends with a surprising statement.
John sees the New Jerusalem...
But he says,
"I saw no temple in it."
Why not?
Has the temple disappeared?
Or has God's purpose finally reached its completion?
Related Bible Studies
Why Did Jesus Say, "Destroy This Temple?"
What Is the Church?
The Story of Redemption
The Kingdom of God
Companion Video
Why Is the Church God's Temple Today?
Read First. Conclude Later.