DATE: – 23RD MAY, 2021
TOPIC: – GOD’S TEMPLE (Part 2)
BIBLE PASSAGE: – 1Corinthians 6: 1 – 21
MEMORY VERSE: – “And He went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought.” (Luke 19:45)
INTRODUCTION: – The role of the temple in the New Testament must be understood in relation to what the temple symbolized in the Old Testament. And for the New Testament believers, the temple symbolizes the body of believers and also the body of Christ.
LESSON OUTLINES
Relationship Between The Temple And The Church
Jesus Christ like the Old Testament Prophets criticized the misuse of the temple. His first and last public acts went in the temple (Jh.2:13-17: Mtt.21:12-13). He also foretold the utter destruction of the temple (Mk.13:1-2; Lk.21:5-6).
The disciples of old in Jerusalem often went to the temple at the time of prayer (Acts 2:46; 3:1; 5:21, 42). Although this was their custom, they also understood that it was not the only place where believers could pray (Acts 4:23-31). Stephen (one of the seven deacons and later Apostle Paul testifies that the living God could not be confined to a temple made by human hands (Acts 7:48-50; 17:24).
From the early Church, even though the brethren went to pray in the temple, the focus of worship shifted from the temple to Christ Jesus Himself. He, rather the temple thenceforth represents the presence of god among His people (our Emmanuel) (Mt.1:23). He is the word of God incarnated (Jh.1:14) and in Him all the fullness of God lives (Col.2:9). In fact, Jesus goes so far as to call Himself the temple (Jh.2:19-22). By His death on the cross, Jesus Christ fulfilled the highest purpose that none of the temple sacrifices could have ever fulfilled. They could never have provided cleansing from sin, once and for all as the Lord Jesus did (Heb.9:10).
At Sycha, while conversing with the Samaritan woman, Jesus said that instead of worshipping inside a building, true worship would soon be expressed “in spirit and truth”. He meant that true worship is a spiritual experience, a privilege of anyone who truly accepts the truth of the Word of God and receives God’s Spirit through a relationship with Christ (Jh.4:22-24).
To us believers, Jesus Christ is the living fulfillment of the true meaning and
Purpose of the temple, and His Church is considered the “body” of Christ (Rom.12:5, 1Corint.12:12-27; Eph.1:22-23; Col.1:18). Therefore, the Church, place where Christ resides (1Corint 3:16; 2Corint.6:16).
Through His Spirit, Christ lives in His Church as a whole and individual believer. For this reason, He require the Church to be holy, separated from sin and the world and completely dedicated unto God and his purpose (Rom.12:1-2; 2Corint.6:14-7:1; Phil.2:13-15). Just as in the Old Testament, God does not permit any corrupt or unholy thing in His temple. That is why He says He will destroy anyone or anything that defiles His Church, His people or His purpose (1Corint.3:16-17).
As the Holy Spirit lives and is active in the Church, so is He in individual believer. Thus, individual believer is the temple of Holy Spirit (1Corint.6:19). That is why we must not misuse or abuse our bodies through immoral, ungodly, worldly and destructive behaviours (1Corint.6:18-19)
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Since the temple is a symbol of God’s presence among His people, there will be no need for a temple in new heavenly Jerusalem (Rev.21:22). God will be living among us, when we get to heaven and the Lamb of God – Jesus Christ that sacrificed Himself for the world but ever lives; shall reign as king over His people forever (Rev.11:15; 22:5).
QUESTIONS
- What does the temple means to the New Testament believers?
- What is the repercussion of defiling God’s temple?