I believe in the church because

I believe in the church because God’s people have become the dwelling place for God

            The church is not a building; it has nothing do with a structure but rather with a living structure made by the hands of our God. In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul was concerned that the Corinthian church realizes the meaning of Christian ministry and the church. I believe the church in the twenty first century needs to be reminded as well.

1 Cor. 3:16-17

    Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? [17] If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

             The Apostle Paul was using imagery to explain to the Corinthian churches what is meant by the “temple of God”. The Jewish members of the church identified with the temple at Jerusalem, whereas Gentile members associated that word with the religious structures that dotted their city. In both cases, it is a place where God or a god dwelt.

            This new temple which Paul was referring to was something completely different, it wasn’t made with wood, stone and mortar, it was a temple made of living stones that is, the Christian community at Corinth. This truth is still applicable for us in the 21st century; we are the temple of God, we are the living sanctuary of God. God said “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God and they shall be My people.”

 The church- God people is the place where God dwells by His Spirit.