My Body a Temple?

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you
(1 Corinthians 6.19)

The Universal Church here in Brazil is known as a “Prosperity” gospel church. If you want a $50 blessing from God give $50 bucks. If you want a $10,000 blessing then give $10,000 bucks. Many who speak of the church say that it is all about money. I think that they are right. Just look at the following example of extravagance.The church has been authorized to build a full-sized replica of Solomon’s Temple in mid-town São Paulo. It will cost a whopping $200,000,000.00 and take four years to complete. Now THAT is a BIG blessing! Get a load of this, “It will tower over the Christ statue in Rio.” It will be eighteen stories to the statue’s mere nine.

The stones for the Temple’s construction have already been ordered from none other than Israel. The church’s leader Bishop Edir Macedo assures us that the building will NOT be covered in gold but will cost a fortune to build. Just imagine!

Why are they doing this? Tourist attraction comes to mind. Do you think that they might make some money on their investment? I think so. The whole thing is a stroke of genius if you ask me.

While thinking on 1 Corinthians this article came to my attention. I was struck with the awe of the Brazilian construction project. Like it or not when finished it will be wonderful to behold.

However, Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6.19 struck me! He said, What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you…. Wait just a minute here! Believers have heard this verse many times. So many times, in fact, that we overlook what Paul is saying.

The Temple that the Universal church is building is going to be hard to overlook at eighteen stories. But you and I over look this tremendous verse in 1 Corinthians 6 often. Look again, What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you….

When have you ever heard of a temple being built for the Holy Spirit? In the Old Testament such a building project is unheard of. For much of the Old Testament God “dwells” in a tent called the Tabernacle. David aspires to build a Temple for God and is told that he can’t. Finally Solomon accomplishes the task and builds a marvelous structure in seven years that endures approximately 410 years. All of this and not one mention of a Temple for the Holy Spirit!

Not until the time of the church at Corinth that is. I’d like to continue this thought tomorrow if you’ll permit me. Thanks.

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