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The Church as God's Dwelling Place in Scripture

The concept of the church as God's dwelling place is a significant theme throughout Scripture, evolving from earlier manifestations of God's presence among his people to its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament understanding of the Christian community. This idea is rooted in the understanding that God desires to be present with humanity, and he establishes specific places or communities for this presence to be known.

In the Old Testament, God's dwelling place was initially associated with the tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem [1, 5]. The tabernacle, and subsequently the temple, served as the sacred house erected for the worship of God [5]. These structures were physical representations of God's presence among Israel. For instance, the temple is referred to as "the temple of the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:9) [5]. However, the Old Testament also hints at a broader understanding of God's habitation. Psalm 71:3 and 91:9 speak of God as the "habitation" of his people, where they find rest and safety [1]. God is also described as inhabiting eternity (Isa. 57:15) and the praises of Israel (Ps. 22:3), indicating a presence that transcends physical structures [1].

With the advent of the New Testament, the understanding of God's dwelling place shifts from a physical building to a spiritual community. Jesus himself foreshadowed this change by referring to his own body as a temple (John 2:19, 21) [5]. This redefinition culminates in the church being identified as God's dwelling place. The Greek word ekklesia, translated as "church," originally meant an assembly called out by authority [3, 6]. In the New Testament, it refers to the Christian congregation [6].

The Apostle Paul is particularly instrumental in developing the theological understanding of the church as God's dwelling. In 1 Timothy 3:15, the church is explicitly called "the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" [4, 9]. This verse highlights the church's role as the place where God resides and where truth is upheld. The church is not merely a gathering of believers but is intrinsically linked to God's presence.

Paul further elaborates on this concept in his letters, using various metaphors to describe the church's nature as God's dwelling. One prominent metaphor is that of a temple. In 1 Corinthians 3:16, Paul asks, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" [7]. This indicates that individual believers, and by extension the collective body of believers, are the new temple where the Holy Spirit resides [7]. This idea is reinforced in 2 Corinthians 6:16, which states, "For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

In Ephesians, Paul describes the church as "an holy temple in the Lord" (Eph. 2:21) [5]. He explains that both Jewish and Gentile Christians are "joined together in Christ" to become this holy temple, signifying that the Lord himself is among his people [16]. Adam Clarke notes that Paul compares the body or church of true believers to a temple, like Solomon's, built to be a "habitation of God through the Spirit" [17]. This spiritual indwelling of God through the Spirit is a key aspect of the church as his dwelling place [18].

Another significant metaphor for the church as God's dwelling is the "body of Christ." This metaphor emphasizes the organic unity and interconnectedness of believers, with Christ as the head. Ephesians 1:22-23 states that God "gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." Similarly, Colossians 1:24 refers to the church as Christ's body. The church is composed of many different parts, each with its own function, but all are united as one body [10, 11, 15]. This unity is essential for the church to function as Christ's body and, by extension, as a dwelling place for God [14]. As Tyndale House notes, "Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ" [12]. This unity transcends differences, as "everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way," forming "one body, the body of Christ" [13].

The church is also referred to by other names that highlight its intimate relationship with God and its status as his dwelling. It is called the "church of the living God" (1 Tim. 3:15) [2], the "assembly of the saints" (Ps. 89:7) [2], and the "city of the Living God" (Heb. 12:22) [2]. Hebrews 3:6 states, "But Christ is as the Sonne, ouer his owne house, whose house we are, if we holde fast that confidence and that reioycing of that hope vnto the ende" [8]. This verse directly identifies believers as God's house, emphasizing their belonging to him.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is central to the church's identity as God's dwelling place. The Spirit dwells in the church as his temple and in the body of saints as his temple [7]. This indwelling is promised to saints (Eze. 36:27) and is the means of quickening, guiding, and fruit-bearing [7]. It is also a proof of being Christ's and a proof of adoption [7]. John Gill, commenting on Joel 3:17, notes that the church of God is his dwelling place, and this will be more manifest when Christ stands on Mount Zion, and his presence is clearly discerned by his people [19].

The various biblical descriptions of the church—as God's house, temple, body of Christ, and the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit—collectively underscore a profound theological truth: God's presence is no longer confined to a physical structure but is manifested in and through the community of believers. This shift from a localized, material dwelling to a spiritual, communal one signifies the new covenant reality where God intimately indwells his people.

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Habitation — God is the habitation of his people, who find rest and safety in him (Ps. 71:3; 91:9). Justice and judgment are the habitation of God's throne (Ps. 89:14, Heb. mekhon, "foundation"), because all his acts are founded on justice and judgment. (See Ps. 132:5, 13; Eph. 2:22, of Canaan, Jerusalem, and the temple as God's habitation.) God inhabits eternity (Isa. 57:15), i.e., dwells not only among men, but in eternity, where time is unknown; and "the praises of Israel" (Ps. 22:3), i.e., he dwells among those praises and is continually surrounded by them.”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of the Church — Assembly of the saints -- Ps 89:7. Assembly of the upright -- Ps 111:1. Body of Christ -- Eph 1:22,23; Col 1:24. Branch of God's planting -- Isa 60:21. Bride of Christ -- Re 21:9. Church of God -- Ac 20:28. Church of the Living God -- 1Ti 3:15. Church of the first-born -- Heb 12:23. City of the Living God -- Heb 12:22. Congregation of saints -- Ps 149:1. Congregation of the Lord's poor -- Ps 74:19. Dove -- Song 2:14; 5:2. Family in heaven and earth -- Eph 3:15. Flock of God -- Eze 34:15; 1Pe 5:2. Fold of Christ -- Joh 10:16. General a”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Church — Derived probably from the Greek kuriakon (i.e., "the Lord's house"), which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament, both words meaning simply an assembly, the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found. There is no clear instance of its being used for a place of meeting or of worship, although in post-apostolic times it early received this meaning. Nor is this word ever us”
  4. King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 3:15 — But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Temple — First used of the tabernacle, which is called "the temple of the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:9). In the New Testament the word is used figuratively of Christ's human body (John 2:19, 21). Believers are called "the temple of God" (1 Cor. 3:16, 17). The Church is designated "an holy temple in the Lord" (Eph. 2:21). Heaven is also called a temple (Rev. 7:5). We read also of the heathen "temple of the great goddess Diana" (Acts 19:27). This word is generally used in Scripture of the sacred house erected on the summit of Mount Moriah for the worship of God. It is called "the”
  6. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Church — + The derivation of the word is generally said to be from the Greek kuriakon (kuriakon) "belonging to the Lord." But the derivation has been too hastily assumed. It is probably connected with kirk, the Latin circus, circulus, the Greek kuklos (kuklos) because the congregations were gathered in circles. + Ecclesia (ekklesia) the Greek word for church, originally meant an assembly called out by the magistrate, or by legitimate authority. It was in this last sense that the word was adapted and applied by the writers of the New Testament to the Christian congrega”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, The — In his Church, as his temple -- 1Co 3:16. In the body of saints, as his temple -- 1Co 6:19; 2Co 6:16. Promised to saints -- Eze 36:27. Saints enjoy -- Isa 63:11; 2Ti 1:14. Saints full of -- Ac 6:5; Eph 5:18. Is the means of Quickening. -- Ro 8:11. Guiding. -- Joh 16:13; Ga 5:18. Fruit bearing. -- Ga 5:22. A proof of being Christ's -- Ro 8:9; 1Jo 4:13. A proof of adoption -- Ro 8:15; Ga 4:5. Is abiding -- 1Jo 2:27. Those who have not Are sensual. -- Jude 1:19. Are without Christ. -- Ro 8:9. Opposed by the carnal nature -- Ga 5:17.”
  8. Hebrews “Hebrews 3:6 (Geneva1599) — But Christ is as the Sonne, ouer his owne house, whose house we are, if we holde fast that confidence and that reioycing of that hope vnto the ende.”
  9. I Timothy “I Timothy 3:15 (KJV) — But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
  12. Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
  13. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
  14. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
  15. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
  16. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
  17. Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 3:17: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith - In this as well as in many other passages, and particularly that in Eph 2:21 (note), the apostle compares the body or Church of true believers to a temple, which, like that of Solomon, is built up to be a habitation of God through the Spirit. Here, as Solomon did at the dedication of the temple at Jerusalem, Ch2 6:1, etc., Paul, having considered the Church at Ephesus completely formed, as to every external thing, prays that God may come down and dwell in it. And as there could be no indwelling of God but by Christ,”
  18. Zechariah (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Zechariah 2:10: I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord - This must chiefly refer to the Christian church, in which God ever dwells by the power of his Spirit, as he had done by the symbol of his presence in the first Jewish temple.”
  19. Joel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Joel 3:17: So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain,.... The church of God, which is his dwelling place; and will appear more manifestly to be so at this time, when Christ the Lamb will stand on Mount Zion, with an 144,000, having his Father's name in their foreheads, Rev 14:1; and which presence of the Lord will be clearly discerned by his people; by the destruction of their enemies, and by his protection of them; by his being their hope and strength, their refuge and their fortress; they will experimentally know his divine inhabitation amon”
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