One of the descriptions the New Testament gives for the Church is that of a temple, also known as the house of God. More than just a metaphor, this allusion to the Old Testament temple is meant to stir our imagination to think of that temple–its worship, service, and structure–and to draw applications to the church in this age (see 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Cor. 3:10; 1 Pet. 2:5; Eph. 2:20).
The similarities between God’s house in different economies–past, present, and future–are obvious and thus make it easy to draw applications from the truths connected to God’s house, whatever the age. What was that house? What are the parallels between that house and God’s house today? What are some of the applications that can be drawn from this picture of the house of God?
THE HOUSE OF OLD
The house of God was a place to meet with God and to worship Him. God’s presence was there as He dwelt in the midst of His people. It was a place to learn of God even as we who are His children shall do through eternity (Rev. 21:3). It was a place where the service of God was conducted according to the manner He prescribed. There the priests exercised their service, and gifts were brought for God’s service and use. There the altar was maintained, that great Old Testament symbol of the means of approach to God and basis of acceptance with God.
Supremely, the house was a place where love to God was expressed through obedience to His commandments, a place to gather and to rejoice in His presence (see Deut. 12:5-14).
Perhaps it would do us good to also consider what that house was not. It was not a place to express one’s individuality, nor a place to gather because some great man was there. They did not come there merely to socialize, although there were times of rejoicing in His presence. Nor was it a place to seek to accomplish a political agenda. It was not for entertainment. It was certainly not a place where the “unsaved” were made to feel comfortable.
The house of God was designed by Him and for Him, a place where He would attach His name and His glory, a place existing for His pleasure. It was a garden in the midst of a desert world where He might enjoy His people and delight in the fruits of His labors (1 Cor. 3:9). There His truth was upheld, evidenced, and promoted without apology and without compromise (1Tim. 3:15).
The rules were laid down by the Owner of the house. How to conduct oneself in the house of God was determined by the government and guidance given by the Owner (see 1 Tim. 3:15). It is to God we look, not man, to learn how to conduct ourselves in His house. When these rules were properly adhered to, the house of God was a powerful testimony. When there was departure from God’s ways and eventually from the very house itself it led to the ruin of God’s people.
It should be apparent to those who recognize the authority of God’s Word that the truths connected with God’s house in other economies are consistent with truths related to the Church in this age. Let us consider the witness the house of God was intended to be, and some of the great truths it was intended to convey.
A Witness to His Name (Deut. 12:11; 1 Cor. 1:10-15)
This was God’s house. Would there be any question whose name it would bear? Would Moses place his name there? Would Solomon or David? In the church age, would Paul instruct the saints to gather together unto his name? There was only one name worthy of being attached to that place. It was His house and meant to have His name and His name only, indicating among other things, His authority.
A Witness to His Lordship (Deut. 12:14, 28, 32; Rom. 6:2-6; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)1
The house is designed with certain observable features that are an evidence of ownership and control. These features also allow the individuals that compose the house to confess and display their allegiance and recognition of His Lordship. These outward symbolic practices are commonly referred to as ordinances. The faithful observance of His ordinances are a witness to His Lordship. Baptism shows that the old life is over and that a believer is now no longer his own, but is under the control of another. The regular observance of the Lord’s Supper by its very name indicates that we recognize Him as Lord. It is the Lord’s Supper.
A Witness to His Headship (1 Cor. 11:3-7; Eph. 1:20-22; Col. 1:18; 2:10, 19)
Headship is a vital New Testament truth. While the Lord Jesus was born a king, He entered into position as Head of the Church only through death, resurrection, and ascension back to glory. The symbolic observance of the truth of headship is seen in the assembly by the uncovered head of the man and the covered head of the woman. This truth transcends time and culture, and is not bound by societal conditions or trends.
The practical truth of headship is evidenced by the members of the house, the assembly, submitting to the authority of the Head of the Church, and by looking to Him for the wisdom and resources it needs to accomplish His will in this world.
A Witness to His Holiness (2 Cor. 7:1)
The house of God is also referred to as the temple of God. As the temple of God, holiness is one of its chief characteristics. “Holiness becometh Thine house,” said the psalmist (Ps. 93:5). Holiness is separation from that which is evil or defiling. To attempt to mingle what is pure with that which is sinful is to deny the very character of holiness. As the temple in the Old Testament was to be a place of purity, so is the Church today.
Purity and separation are to characterize the members of the house as well. Individual members are called to maintain purity (1 Cor. 6:19) as is the assembly (1 Cor. 3:16). It is a habitation of God through the Spirit. In the context of doctrinal and moral purity, 1 Corinthians uses the term “temple” in whatever form the temple takes, whether corporate or individual, local or universal.
Those who are strangers to God and His grace are not a part of that house. In Old Testament times, “strangers” who were attracted by that Name had to come on God’s terms, in His way, and for His purpose (1 Ki. 8:41-43). Contrary to much popular opinion today, the design of the local church is not to be tampered with in order to attract the unsaved or to be a gathering place for the ungodly. The house of God today is constructed with living stones who have been regenerated by the Spirit of God. Worship and service are only acceptable by Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:5). There is in the Bible a “within” and a “without” (1 Cor. 5:12). While the church cannot control the behavior of those “without,” it is commanded to judge those “within.” Only in this way is the witness to God’s holiness maintained.
A Witness to His Sufficiency (Phil. 4:19)
One of the great objects of God dwelling in the midst of His people is that His people might learn dependence on Him for all things. As in the days of the tabernacle when God supplied for His peoples physical and temporal needs, so today the Church is to be dependent on Him for all things. He is sufficient to supply all that is needed for His work and for His Church to thrive and expand.
The Church is a heavenly, spiritual people. As such they are not to adopt the world’s techniques and methods (2 Cor. 10:3-4). The Church is not to seek the world’s wisdom (1 Cor. 3:19), but to look to its Head for wisdom (1 Cor. 3:19). Residing in Him is a rich storehouse of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3).
The Church is dependent on the Spirit of God for spiritual resources. It is a sad but often telling sign when today so many indicate by their actions that they do not feel the need to come together as an assembly and lift up their united voice in prayer (Acts 4:24, note: “their voice”). Rather than an expression of dependency, poorly attended prayer meetings express an attitude of self-sufficiency. Such self-sufficiency also is evidenced by the grasping for methods and programs and even men rather than patiently waiting on the Head to solve whatever the problem might be.
What a privilege to form part of the habitation of God on earth! What responsibilities are associated with those who are part of that house! The very design of God’s house is meant to convey spiritual truth. How vital it is that those who make up this house see the need of accurately displaying and not distorting the truth the house of God is meant to convey (1 Tim. 3:15). May God by His grace enable such to faithfully uphold and maintain the truth of the testimony on earth today.