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It is biblically sound to call the temple or house of worship as the house of God, for His name and glory dwell in it.
 
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The temple or house of worship is the house of God
(II Chron. 7:16;  Psalms 26:8)


Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, December 2001, p.2

IT IS CLEARLY stated in the Bible that "God does not dwell in temples made with hands" (Acts 17:24). So, why do you call your temple or chapel as "house of God" when, obviously, your chapels and temples were made with man's hands? This is certainly a doctrinal error on your part.

Jeremy Sedenio
Mabalacat, Pampanga, Philippines


Editor's reply:

     It is never wrong to call the temple as the house of God. The Almighty God Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Prophet Isaiah made such pronouncements.

     Prophet Isaiah called the temple as “the house of the God of Jacob” (Is. 2:3, New King James Version). The Lord Jesus Christ referred to the temple as “my Father’s house” (Lk. 2:49, Today’s English Version). Above all, the Almighty God Himself declared that the temple is His house:

     “Now He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts’.” (I Chron. 28:6, NKJV)

     You would, then, ask why it is written in Acts. 17:24 that God does not dwell in temples made with man’s hands? The Almighty does not dwell in temples made with man’s hands in the sense that the temple is not His place of rest or dwelling:

     “Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?’” (Is. 66:1, Ibid.)

     The temple is not God’s place of rest or dwelling. He does not dwell or “rest” in it. Which is it then that dwells in the house of worship or temple? God said:

     “For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and my eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.” (II Chron. 7:16, Ibid.) (emphasis ours)

     It is the name of God that dwells in the temple. God has chosen and sanctified His house, and promised that His name would be there forever. Moreover, His glory also dwells in the temple:

     “Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.” (Ps. 26:8, Ibid.) (emphasis ours)

     Thus, it is biblically sound to call the temple or house of worship as the house of God, for His name and glory dwell in it.

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Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind. For the latest Worship Service Directory of Iglesia ni Cristo Locales and Congregations outside the Philippines, please visit www.iglesianicristoworshipservice.com or just click link at home page.

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