Many times Christians are uncomfortable with the idea of a particular place for God's presence. We like to emphasize his omnipresence, which is a true and biblical concept. Yet we see in many places throughout Scripture that God appoints a particular place for worship, as he appoints particular ways of worship. Has this idea passed away in the New Testament?
Jesus makes clear in Matthew 28 and many other places that he himself is, in fact, the New Testament place of worship. He comes to be with his believers. He has broken the bounds of worship in Jerusalem by having fellowship with believers wherever they are assembled in His name.
What about referring to the local church building as "God's house" or the ideas of focusing attention on a cross, a crucifix, an altar, or a copy of the Scripture? We do not worship the building, the furniture, or the book but we do worship the Lord who is revealed in those things. We do not worship the building, the furniture, or the book but we do find the true presence of Christ with his people as we worship him in spirit and truth. And since he has promised to be with us in bodily form in his Supper we may rightly treat his real presence with particular honor.
We've all heard the question, "If Jesus walked into your local church would he be welcome?" So we proclaim that Jesus is really present in our local churches. Do we honor him? He has appointed a place of worship, and that is where we are gathered in his name.
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