Notes of Faith August 14, 2024
God’s New Temple
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
Ephesians 2:19
Only Jews were allowed on the grounds of the temple itself (Acts 21:26-28), but Herod’s Temple (the Jerusalem temple in Jesus’ and the apostles’ day) had an outer courtyard where Gentiles could gather (where the money changers and merchants set up shop—John 2:14-17).
1 Peter 2:4-10
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:
"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
"The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,"
8 and
"A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense."
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
The apostles Paul and Peter both wrote of a new temple—a spiritual edifice made up of Jews and Gentiles alike who were united into one Body through faith in Christ. God’s purpose in Christ was to abolish the law which was the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile “so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace” (Ephesians 2:15). “Peace” was preached to those who were far off (Gentiles) and those who were near (Jews), granting both “access by one Spirit to the Father” (verses 17-18). The whole building is growing into a “holy temple in the Lord” (verses 21-22).
By the grace of God, there is no longer a “distinction between Jew and Greek [Gentile]”—there is one Lord over all (Romans 10:12; Galatians 3:28). If you are in Christ, you are a living stone in His new temple.
We are one in Christ; let us be friends with one another.
Charles Spurgeon
This truth is only for those that are believers in Christ Jesus. Those that are not believers in Jesus are not part of this that God is building. We must reach out to those who do not know Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, while we still have opportunity. There will come a time when we will no longer be able to share with family, neighbors, friends, employers, those we meet every day, even those who cause us harm…they all need Jesus to receive eternal life. Otherwise, they will be eternally condemned and punished. We must pray and work to lead people to the throne of Jesus to be saved!
Pastor Dale