THE SPIRITUAL TIMPLE OF GOD
(Is it not you Greg McRitchie who continusouly tries
to focus the little children's hearts
and minds on worldly
Jerusalem? As if rocks, Timbers, geography
and Talmudic Judaism can ever make
anything holy. God dwells in contrite and broken
human hearts. It is the Christian people
who are the Temple of the Holy Spirit--
the New Zion--new Jerusalem. Read these words
from one who learned at the feet of the Apostles
and repent of your wrong doctrine. Your teachings
on this matter are harmful to the little children.)
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Epistle of Barnabas:
CHAP. XVI.--THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE OF GOD.
Moreover, I will also tell you concerning the temple, how the wretched [Jews], wandering in error,
trusted not in God Himself, but in the temple, as being the house of God. For almost after the
manner of the Gentiles they worshipped Him in the temple.(9) But learn how the Lord speaks, when
abolishing it: "Who hath meted out heaven with a span, and the earth with his palm? Have not
I?"(10)"Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is My throne, and the earth My footstool: what kind of house
will ye build to Me, or what is the place of My rest?"(11) Ye perceive that their hope is vain.
Moreover, He again says, "Behold, they who have cast down this temple, even they shall build it up
again."(12) It has so happened.(13) For through their going to war, it was destroyed by their
enemies; and now: they, as the servants of their enemies, shall rebuild it. Again, it was revealed that
the city and the temple and the people of Israel were to be given up. For the Scripture saith, "And it
shall come to pass in the last days, that the Lord will deliver up the sheep of His pasture, and their
sheep-fold and tower, to destruction."(14) And it so happened as the Lord had spoken. Let us
inquire, then, if there still is a temple of God. There is--where He himself declared He would make
and finish it. For it is written, "And it shall come to pass, when the week is completed, the temple of
God shall be built in glory in the name of the Lord."(15) I find, therefore, that a temple does exist.
Learn, then, how it shall be built in the name of the Lord. Before we believed in God, the habitation
of our heart was corrupt and weak, as being indeed like a temple made with hands. For it was full of
idolatry, and was a habitation of demons, through our doing such things as were opposed to [the will
of] God. But it shall be built, observe ye, in the name of the Lord, in order that the temple of the
Lord may be built in glory. How? Learn [as follows]. Having received the forgiveness of sins, and
placed our trust in the name of the Lord, we have become new creatures, formed again from the
beginning. Wherefore in our habitation God truly dwells in us. How? His word of faith; His
calling(16) of promise; the wisdom of the statutes; the commands of the doctrine; He himself
prophesying in us; He himself dwelling in us; opening to us who were enslaved by death the doors of
the temple, that is, the mouth; and by giving us repentance introduced us into the incorruptible
temple.(17) He then, who wishes to be saved, looks not to man,(18) but to Him who dwelleth in
him, and speaketh in him, amazed at never having either heard him utter such words with his mouth,
nor himself having ever desired to hear them. (19)This is the spiritual temple built for the Lord. |
