We are the ‘Temple’ in which the Holy Spirit resides
The Temple is no longer (as in the Old Testament) a religious place to visit to worship God. Now God has come to be with us.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
The Greek word translated as “you” in verses 16 and 17 is plural. So when Paul said, “You are the temple of God,” he was referring to the believers as a group—the local church. The temple in Jerusalem was a sacred building dedicated to the worship of God.
According to Paul, the church was the New Covenant equivalent of the Temple. God’s presence resided in the church, and the church was to maintain holiness and exhibit God’s presence.
1 Pet 2: 4 – 5
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
The Purpose of the Church
Ephesians 3:8-11
8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the Church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God has an eternal plan. The Church has a part in accomplishing that plan. The phrase “through the Church” in vs. 10 shows that the Church is to be God’s instrument in accomplishing His plan.
Priesthood of all believers
From these verses and many others like it have come the biblically proper expressions “the priesthood of all believers” (see Revelation 1:6; 5:10) and the “authority of the believer” (see also Luke 10:19).
1 Cor 12: 18, 27
18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
The Local ‘ecclesia‘
Philippians 1:1: Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
This is the biblical pattern for any local ecclesia, such as the apostle Paul was writing to in Philippi
• “saints” — contrary to some modern definitions, “saints” in the New Testament are God’s people, specifically those who know Jesus Christ as Saviour. This is born out in various other translations:
“God’s people who belong to Jesus Christ” — CEV
“God’s holy people” — NIV
• “overseers” — the translation, ‘bishop’ (in the KJV) naturally makes us think hierarchically, whereas the Church had a ‘flat’ structure. Unfortunately, over the centuries this word has lost its proper, original, biblical meaning. “Overseers” (NASB, Amplified and several others) primary responsibility was to ensure that error and heresy did not creep into the body unnoticed.
• “deacons” — spiritual men/women assigned to social action tasks in the church, such as the original Jerusalem deacons appointed to look to the well-being of the church’s widows (Acts 6:1-6).
We see ourselves in Foundation Church operating and functioning in a embryonic form in a way that upholds the early church principles:
–‘Faith friends’ (providing ‘help’, ‘encouragement’, ‘words of wisdom’)
–‘Hardship fund’ (providing [Financial] support to believers and non believers)
–‘Start course’ (introducing individuals to Jesus – presenting the Gospel and the redemption He has given us
–‘tCAS’ (providing ‘helps’ and ‘service’ to our neighbour and ‘fighting’ oppression and exploitation as an expression of the love God has shown us)
–‘Teachings’ (sharing scriptural truths to upbuild the believers and explain the richness of the Gospel to unbelievers who are seeking God)
–‘Prayer’ (interceding and bringing people and situations before God)
–Deliverance (bringing spiritual freedom from oppression of the enemy)
–Elders (those that guard the ‘flock’) – initially there are those who choose to ‘guard’ the flock and the church
Operating in the Gifting of the Holy Spirit
1 Cor 12: 7
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Cor 1: 4 – 7
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6 just as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
After Pentecost we see that ALL believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit and He distributes gifts to whom He will. Such that we find (amongst others) the gifts of:
- ‘Helps’ (Pastors)
- ‘Teaching’ (Teachers)
- ‘Admin’ (Leading)
- ‘Prophecy’ (Prophets)
- ‘Showing mercy’, ‘serving’, ‘giving’ (to enable our commission to go into all the world – Evangelist)
… for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
‘Body Ministry’ is exactly that:
• the Body ministering to one another
• witnessing to our neighbours (those we come into contact with
• sharing God’s love and compassion – light to the world (cosmos)
God never intended a small number of ordained leaders to carry the full load of ministry. Rather, his intent was that:
Eph 2: 10 10 (For) we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do
1 Corinthians 12:11
“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”—To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all.
1 Pet 4: 10 – 11
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen
The concept of Body ministry de-emphasizes the role of the leader as the only one God could minister through. Body ministry is a glorification of the Lord, moving through human vessels.
2 Corinthians 4:7
As Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “7 But we have this treasure in earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;.”
1 Corinthians 14:12
12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, seek to (seekzēteō) excel (perisseuō) in those that build up the church.
1 Tim 4: 14 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.
So, now that we know that God’s plan is to use all of us Christians to minister in the building of His Church, what shall you do to present yourself to God as willing servants?
1) Acknowledge the baptism with the Holy Spirit that comes on believing in Christ, by which the Spirit will empower you for ministry in that gifting (Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:1-4).
2) Stir up those spiritual gifts that are in your life, or will yet come into your life. Do not neglect them, but seek God continually to be used by Him (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6)
3) Expect to be equipped for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).
4) Be dedicated to fulfilling God’s giftings and call upon your life. Heed the apostle Paul’s words: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord” (Colossians 4:17).
5) Approach your opportunities to minister for the Lord with thanksgiving and joyful commitment: “And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:21).
Summary
We are anointed by the Holy Spirit for many important and powerful purposes, including:
to have authority to be effective witnesses
to enable us to share the Good News about Jesus Christ
to proclaim freedom for the prisoners (spiritual release; both in terms of coming to Christ and deliverance from spiritual activity)
to bring recovery of sight for the blind (standing against the enemy who blinds those who might be saved)
to release the oppressed (coming against the enemy and overcoming his oppressive actions in people’s lives)
to proclaim the Lord’s favour and grace (herald the Kingdom of God)
to be benefactors, doing good to needy people (being light and expression of love)
to break the devil’s yoke in the lives of bound-up people (deliverance)
to teach and help God’s people know truth versus error (guide, teach, encourage and help to walk in God’s path)
to help us produce the fruit of His Spirit (as a witness to our being joined to the vine)