The Temple of GOD – the Body of Christ

1 Pet 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.

The apostle Peter was encouraging the Jews who have been excommunicated by the Pharisees as they trust the Lord Jesus to save them, and take a stand with Christ. They used to present physical sacrifices to GOD in the magnificent temple of King Herod; they used to go to the splendid temple to worship and admire the wonderful edifice of the building of man’s hands. Peter now tells them that they are the lively stones that make up the spiritual temple of the Lord. For what is a church? It is an assembly of believers. God is not interested in building made with man’s hands, for HE is a Spirit.

Firstly, a church is made up of believers: YE ALSO, AS LIVELY STONES. Peter speaking to the Jews, said that they were lively, living. We are made alive by the Spirit of God. We are born again into the kingdom of GOD and then we who have gladly received the word were baptized and were added to the church. The local body of the church is therefore made of individuals who have trusted Christ as Saviour AND being added to the church after their baptism. It was faith followed by obedience. In essence therefore, the church is made up of individuals who has faith in Christ and are obedient to His words.

Secondly, notice we are a priesthood. As a church, we intercede by prayer for the people of this world, and we reach them by our works to draw them to Christ. The Lord Jesus teaches that His house is to be a house of Prayer, so must the church be. We must be prayerful people. Priests teach the word to the people: we must be teachers of the commandments of Christ (Matt 28: 19), and the church is to be the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim 3:15). And because as the physical temple is made of stones, the local church is made of lively stones, whose lives must be free from hypocrisy and lies and they must be vessels of truth and right living.

Thirdly, the church offers up spiritual sacrifices to the Lord. In praise, in service, in prayers, in sacrifice, in preaching the gospel, in mission work, in caring for the sick, the poor, the widows and the outcasts, in doing good in this world. The Lord promises that everything done for Christ with an attitude of honouring Him, governed by His word and led by His Spirit will be a sacrifice to Him. And it will be acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Ambassador Baptist Church members, we are lively stones, a spiritual house in which the Lord Jesus dwells in His fullness. We are to offer spiritual sacrifices: not carnal, or fleshly. Our activities and actions for the Lord must not be contentious or competitive but in the humility of heart and mind, esteeming others better than ourselves, we are to serve our Saviour. Our dear visitors, may the Lord move your heart to unite with us, to be added by baptism, that together, we may serve our Lord Christ, till He comes!

Evangelist – Pastor Johnny Tan
Ambassador Baptist Church