GOD’S HOUSE – HIS HOLY TEMPLE

“In whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a HOLY TEMPLE in the Lord” – Ephesians 2:21

Scriptures consistently refer to GOD’S HOUSE as HIS HOLY TEMPLE: “in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (vv.21-22). These verses integrate three images of the Church: citizenship, family, and building. They also sum up the chapter’s two-fold theme – union of the Gentiles, with God and with His chosen people – in the metaphor of One Holy Temple, of which Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. This Holy Temple, both collectively and through the individual parts, grows into a Habitation of God.

Paul's main intention was to let Gentile converts know that they had equal privileges with Jewish converts. Whatever the origin, each individual forms a valuable piece of the “building,” and all fitted together provide a Habitation for God. Although each of us comes from a different background, in order for us to become part of the Temple, a place where God dwells, we must possess the right quality and be fitted into the proper place. If a building is constructed of proper units – no decaying wood, rusted metal or inferior materials of any type – and if it is erected on a solid foundation, the result is a structure with integrity. Peter used similar metaphor: “you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1Pet.2:5).

The Foundation and the Cornerstone give stability and shape to a structure. Jesus Christ is the Foundation of His Church: without Him, the Church collapses into individually disconnected rubble. But resting on Jesus and the Bible, we stick together and are built into God’s holy Temple (vv.21-22). This spiritual Temple – the Church – is God’s habitation, just as, physically, the Tabernacle served as His habitation in the wilderness – where His presence was specifically made manifest to His people. Now, the temple is more than a place: the people are the place. God is doing more of consecrating people, than places. God’s people – not just the church building – are the House of God. We are fellow citizens with the saints, we are members of the household of God and we are being built and grown into a holy temple.

Every building block is significant to the Integrity of the whole structure. Every building block used to construct a spiritual house or temple, must be sound. If the stone is faulty, it will crumble or crack easily, endangering the entire structure. Jesus Christ – the Owner and Builder of the Church – gathers all the living stones that make up His temple: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you…” (Jh.15:16a). This is where the local church finds relevance, being the context in which we experience and participate in the universal church. That’s where things are made real and concrete. One may ask: “Can I be a Christian and not go to church?” The church is not a place to go; it’s a people to be! So, the question is really uncalled for. But the simple answer is: a true Christian will not cut-off from the rest of God’s people.

The majority of what God instructs us to do as Christians can only be done in the context of the local church. To be a Christian and not be involved in the local church is to ignore most of what the New Testament stands for. The local church is absolutely essential to everything God has purposed to do in and through us. Beloved, let’s lean into our citizenship and membership in the household of God and this building project, wherein we are being built up to be a temple. Let’s view each other through these biblical lenses. Let’s base all that we do on Jesus Christ and His Word. Let’s think more in terms of people not place. Let’s not simply attend church as individuals, but be the Church together. Let’s renew our commitment to the universal church by renewing our commitment to the local church.