Churches or Temples

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ …  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” – I Peter 2:5, 9-10

Ancient temples were made of stones fitted together with care and purpose. They were often magnificent and elegant because they were intended to house deities.

Christian houses of worship are not temples. They are not places where God lives. God lives within and among the people.

However, there are some parallels in house we view simple houses dedicated to worship and, ore importantly, how we live and present ourselves to the world.

As new covenant believers, we are the temple of God both individually and collectively. A church is not a building, but a living organism, a lively house of God that assembles in a specific place but is not confined to that place.

Our challenge is not to build God a better physical house, but to present all that we do and say as testimony to His power, love, grace, and beauty.

The house of is wherever God is – in you or around you.