"Christ as temple" refers to the biblical truth that Jesus fulfills what the Old Testament temple signified: God’s dwelling with His people and the place of access to Him. In Him, God’s presence is uniquely revealed and the way to God is made known.
"Christ as temple" refers to the biblical truth that Jesus fulfills what the Old Testament temple signified: God’s dwelling with His people and the place of access to Him. In Him, God’s presence is uniquely revealed and the way to God is made known.
"Christ as temple" is a theological way of describing how Jesus fulfills and surpasses the meaning of the Old Testament tabernacle and temple. In Scripture, the temple was the appointed place of God’s special dwelling, worship, sacrifice, and covenant fellowship with His people. The New Testament teaches that these realities find their fullest expression in Christ: He speaks of the temple in connection with His body, He is the one in whom the fullness of God dwells, and through His person and saving work sinners have access to the Father. This theme should be stated carefully: Scripture clearly teaches that Christ fulfills the temple’s purpose, while broader systems of temple theology may develop that theme in different ways. A safe conclusion is that Jesus is the true and greater temple, the decisive locus of God’s presence and redemption, and that the church’s identity as God’s temple depends on union with Him.
