"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things."
Acts 17: 24 - 25 NKJV
I thought about an old saying this week. Indeed, there is a phrase out there which states that mankind ruins everything that he touches. I'd be inclined to agree in most areas. For the purpose of this writing, the focus will be on religion. Or, for a better definition, man made religion. For as I was looking through the book of Acts and the chronicles of the early church of the followers of Jesus I did not spot any descriptions of the church which I have come to know in my lifetime. I didn't see any large ornate temples, save for those preserved to the Jewish faith of the day. I didn't see any complex ministry programs designed to bring new "converts" into this growing church. What I did see was a group of people who were hungry to hear the words and message of Christ Jesus. They would gather in homes throughout their community, mainly because they were being persecuted by the Roman occupiers of the holy lands. I read of the message of Christ, which the apostles of Jesus brought to those of this new church. It was here, in the gatherings of the growing church, that the apostle Paul often spoke to the truth of Christ. But, I digress. For I didn't plan to write this as a glowing review of the church of Christ Jesus, but as a comparison of that church to one with the fingerprints of man all over it from the start. How different must it have been for the followers of the new church to come together in different places in the shadows of the great temples not only of Judaism, but of other gods and man created deities as well? We're told that Jesus Himself often taught in the temple {Luke 21:37-38}. Yet, most Christians are familiar with one of the most popular teachings Jesus ever gave while gathered with His followers on the grounds of the Mount of Olives as well as speaking daily in the temple. See, Jesus did not just speak and teach in temples. I believe that the prevailing attitude in Jesus' day was just as we have seen in our own history, that Gods presence was indeed stronger in "His house." That is...the temple. I remember a friend of mine who used to ask me at work each Monday, "well, were you in Gods house yesterday?" I'm sure he meant it in good faith, but it is the prevailing attitude among many believers today. Well, I'm here to tell you, God has never been impressed with how big or fancy of a church which you claim is for Him but is really meant to fulfill your selfish desires.
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2: 44 - 47 NKJV
I have often used the term "man made religion" to describe what many know today as Christianity. I stand by that claim. For when we take a look into the history of what we know as the modern church we see something which can be a bit scary. A nations leader bringing together religious leaders and demanding that they come up with a common church doctrine. If this were to happen today there would be an outcry (Predictably mostly from liberal Democrats). However, this is exactly what the emperor Constantine did with the Nicene council in 325 AD. What was the purpose of the Nicene council? Simple, "To provide a doctrinal statement of correct belief." Yes, to tell you, as a Christian, what you are to believe in. I know that I will get more than a bit of pushback on this, but history does not lie. Nor do facts. Once again, mans fingerprints upon a failed system. However, if we are indeed true followers of Christ Jesus, do we need to be told what to believe? Does God only dwell in the brick and mortar churches which we build? As Paul tells us in Acts 2, this is not the case at all. It is also Paul who introduces us to what I see as the liberating truth of Christ Jesus. In Galatians, it is Paul who assures us that it is Jesus Himself who now lives in us {Galatians 2:20}. We LIVE as Jesus. This is the foundational scripture of those who see themselves no longer as sinners, but as lives transformed by the realization of Christ in us. We can continue to see God in those buildings we dedicate to Him, but rest assured that God has never been limited to one location. Yet, the most important location we can see Him is within ourselves.
And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.
Luke 21: 37 - 38 NKJV
~Scott~
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