What is the House of God?

[Doc]

The Christian religious institution would have everyone believe that there is something special and sacred about buildings designated as a church or place of worship in God's eyes and His heart, but this simply isn't true. To believe that God's house is in any circumstance a man-made building or anything man-made for that matter, is to misunderstand the crux of the purpose for new covenant.

The scriptures clearly point out that now under the new covenant ( the new thing God mentioned else where in scripture) we (the people) are God's house wherever we gather and this is a spiritual reality. To believe that God is pleased when we build and dedicate to Him a house or shrine is just another religious fantasy lacking any scriptural or spiritual truth.

Believing this deception is in essence, hindering our own spiritual growth and God's construction in making us into His house. Man has and is always trying to modify or at least embellish God's work and just a little amount of study into church history proves this easily.

Let me paraphrase just a little concerning this topic. Carnal man is prideful and arrogant, and God has not invited him to join into this new covenant, but carnal man is trying to come anyway and thus religious systems and formulas are invented. There's a big party and carnal man just can't bear the thought that not only is Someone else to be honored but he isn't even on the list of guests . So he has come up with his own party and tried to mimic the party where he isn't welcomed .

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN! You nailed this down tight, my friend. We live in a day and time where there is little understanding left of what real Biblical Christianity is about. BLESSINGS. Doc

 

[jiggyfly]

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN! You nailed this down tight, my friend. We live in a day and time where there is little understanding left of what real Biblical Christianity is about. BLESSINGS. Doc

Thanks Doc, and I think your right too, many seem to be caught up more into religion than relationship. Many are deceived into believing that participating in religious liturgy is relating to Father. Yet the scriptures are very clear and revealing towards this approach.

Here's a quote from Albert Barnes.

Hypocrites abound in outward religious observances just in proportion to their neglect of the spiritual requirements of God’s word

 

[ushalk]

Thanks Doc, and I think your right too, many seem to be caught up more into religion than relationship. Many are deceived into believing that participating in religious liturgy is relating to Father. Yet the scriptures are very clear and revealing towards this approach.

Here's a quote from Albert Barnes.

this is a great post and you are both right. many people are basically taught that what they do in the churches today is their true sign of salvation. gifts of todays "christians" are not the spiritual gifts written of in the bible. it is so amazing.

 

[jiggyfly]

this is a great post and you are both right. many people are basically taught that what they do in the churches today is their true sign of salvation. gifts of todays "christians" are not the spiritual gifts written of in the bible. it is so amazing.

Thanks Ushalk, I agree, and in essence it becomes a salvation based on works. It then becomes very obligatory, demanding and legalistic.

And so, you see, God's House is not a 'thing', it is not a 'place' - it is not anything that man makes; it is something spiritual. On what ground does it rest? It rests on the ground of the Cross. God's House in the wilderness - the Tabernacle - came after the Altar, and stood as the background to the Altar. In the new dispensation, the Church is the background to the Cross of Christ, for it only comes by the Cross. What does the Cross do? It sets man aside, and makes room for God; it puts man out, that God may be all and in all. God's intention in the Cross is to make possible the realization of His eternal thought to be present, to be there. Where the Cross is most deeply wrought into the life of a people, there, most fully, you will meet the Lord. You will not meet Him in uncrucified men and women; in the presence of the flesh, God stands back.

 

[Boanerges]

gifts of todays "christians" are not the spiritual gifts written of in the bible. it is so amazing.

I suppose that depends on which Christians and what churches you are talking about. The Holy Spirit is alive and well.
Selah.

 

[jiggyfly]

I suppose that depends on which Christians and what churches you are talking about. The Holy Spirit is alive and well.
Selah.

You are right Boanerges it most definitely depends on which christians you are referring and the "and what churches" indicates that these churches are made up of something other than christians. When both christians and churches are mentioned in this manner, christians and churches are different entities and not one in the same and therefore part of something other than what God has planned.

Yes indeed the HolySpirit is alive and well and governing Christ's body. This is the insignia of the true ekklesia, total submission to HolySpirit's governing lead.

 

[ushalk]

Thanks Ushalk, I agree, and in essence it becomes a salvation based on works. It then becomes very obligatory, demanding and legalistic.

it also become matthew 15:9. where man has more authority in our lives than christ does.

 

[Hekuran]

Here's a wondrous description of who belongs in the House of God, and how we participate in it.

"Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.​

Beautiful. I think this expresses clearly and postively much of what has been said in the thread. The house of God is a community gathered under the lordship of Jesus Christ, and the in this community we encourage and support each other in our walk with God.

With regard to church buildings, I live and work in London where there are a great number of ancient and beautiful church buildings. I personally find it helpful to take time out from busy days - especially at lunchtimes - to go into church buildings, where I know that generations of faithful people have gathered to pray in order to spend time with God.

I know that God hears my prayers wherever I am, but that is not the point: these buildings were designed to help us focus our attention on God, and, for me, they help.

 

[Boanerges]

Just some thoughts:

We are individually His dwelling place. What a privilege to be His vessel and walk in communion with Him.

1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?


We are the building blocks of His Church; as we stand together in unity and love proclaiming His Word His church is built.

1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1Pe 2:5 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.
1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

We are His corporate dwelling place, and through these vessels He will both be glorified and proclaimed.

Rev 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

[Brother Mike]

Wow.........

So much fancy wording and theology. All the gifts and Miracles are still working today. God never changed, and Jesus sure hasn't.

If you want to know where the House of God is at, be it known that it's at MY HOUSE. Yep!!!! Not many people know that.

He is right here with me. If you believe what he said, your faith will give you confidence that He is also with you. He has never failed anyone that trust in him, and thinks half of what He said has passed away somehow.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[ushalk]

So much fancy wording and theology. All the gifts and Miracles are still working today. God never changed, and Jesus sure hasn't.

If you want to know where the House of God is at, be it known that it's at MY HOUSE. Yep!!!! Not many people know that.

He is right here with me. If you believe what he said, your faith will give you confidence that He is also with you. He has never failed anyone that trust in him, and thinks half of what He said has passed away somehow.

Jesus Is Lord.

it is amazing isnt it? how so many people claim that the gifts are gone and all thatjazz. they take one scripture out to make their whole theology study on. the verse where it states that the powers will cease. it is not ceasing because god has changed you are right. it is ceacing because what people call faith is not faith but a man made manipulation that has caused a whole lot of confusion and deceit within what people want to call the house of god.

god is with us no matter where we are.

 

[Brother Mike]

Very Interesting

ushalk: considering the Gifts (As the Spirit Wills) as opposed to just standing and believing the word. I have seen some Awesome things.

My son was suppose to die with cancer and when I got the report from Chicago, I just said, no he's not, He shall live and not die, My God has never failed. The next day they could not find cancer anywhere. They were baffled. (Mind you, I had been believing God all Week when they found this cancer, and though I was believing it was getting worse rapidly. I got a report that it would be just a day or so and he would be gone.)

Now you make an interesting point.

Is it a lack of faith? or misunderstanding of faith?

I often thought of this.

Could it be that man wants to bring the Word down to just what they have seen? and not grow and believe to get where the level of what the Word actually says?

When I hear people discount healing they always have a story about someone that "They" prayed for and did not get healed. (Walking by sight!!!) It seems the want to lower the standard of God's Word to their human reasoning and not elevate it by the Spirit of faith that is available to them.

The word tries us, and corrects us. Not the other way around.

I could never pinpoint how someone can read something in God's word and not believe it, calling themselves Christians.

Be blessed.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[MelechYisrael]

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[MelechYisrael]

I regularly attend services in a church building, a building where the church gathers to worship God and learn of Him. We know that God's Spirit is present during these services because Scripture says so: "For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I with them." That makes our building God's house, a house that He uses, during those services. We don't believe that when the building is closed and locked His manifest presence is still inside.

SLE

My take on this...there is no "church" in the way that is being implied here. The people of Christ are the church. The church is the body of Christ...the body of believers in Christ. "Church" is a name man has given his attendance with other believers when they congregate in a building. Even satanists go to "church". Because they gather together in one place to worship.

But...when we enter into a building...any building...gathering together to worship collectively, His presence is made manifest. This is what He does. Where two or more are gathered, there I will be in the midst of you. Amen SLE. And yes, that building becomes God's house for the duration that believers are gathered within it. Again, amen SLE.

As for Him actually having a "house"...we are His house. We are His temple. We are the temple of the Holy Ghost. Know ye not, that ye are the temple of the Holy Ghost. He dwells within us.

Otherwise, God the Father and God the Son, reside in Heaven.
Psalm 2:4 Psalm 11:4

 

[MelechYisrael]

If what you said were true then the White House, Walmart, Golden Coral and Applebee's Bar and Grill are all God's house too.

They would be if there were two or more believers gathered together in in His Name to worship.

 

[Boanerges]

So much fancy wording and theology.

If it is in the Word it is not theology but it is life itself my friend.