Catechism – Week 11 – The Temple

What is the Purpose of the Temple?

Last week, we discussed priests and sacrifices that allow us as sinful people to have a relationship to a holy God. (For explanation on how temples relate to God’s holiness please check out this animated explanation.) The sacrifices and the priests operated in a portable tent known as the tabernacle. Many years later under King Solomon, a temple would be built. Unlike the tabernacle, the temple was a building and did not move. When Solomon built the temple he prayed:

1 Kings 8:13 – I have indeed built you [the LORD] an exalted house [the temple], a place for you to dwell in forever. (ESV)

What is the first thing the temple was made for?
Answer: The temple was to be a place for God’s presence to be among his people.

Does that mean God is only in the temple?
Read: Verse 27, “Heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built.”

Answer: No, God is everywhere and cannot be contained, but his presence was in the temple in a special way.

What else was the temple for?
Read: Verses 29-30 (edited for brevity), “Let your eyes be open night and day toward this house…And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place…and when you hear, forgive.”

Answer: The temple was a place that pointed to God’s forgiveness. Because his presence was there, he would listen to their prayers.

Why do we no longer have a temple?
Read: John 2:21, “[Jesus] was speaking about the temple of his body.”

Answer: The temple, which showed God’s presence and forgiveness toward his people, points us to look at Jesus. Jesus was the true temple, because he was God’s presence on earth. He is also the way that sins are forgiven. We no longer need a temple, because Jesus has come.

But Jesus is no longer on earth, why should we not have a temple?
Read: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God…So glorify God in your body.”

Answer: When we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in us. Our bodies become a temple of God because the Holy Spirit shows God’s presence and forgiveness for his people. Therefore, we must always do the right thing because our holy God lives in us.

Optional Questions:
Do you want God to live in you? Would you like to accept Jesus as your savior?

Scripture Memory Verse:

1 Corinthians 6:19 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.

What is the purpose of the temple?
The temple showed God’s presence and forgiveness to his people, which is fulfilled by Jesus, who is God in the flesh.

Adults and older students are encouraged to receive a fuller explanation from Dr. Tim Tennent (President of Asbury Theological Seminary) by clicking this link.