Believers as Living Stones: Ephesians 2 Spiritual House

Believers are collectively described as a spiritual house, being built into a holy temple in the Lord, with Christ as the cornerstone. This foundational truth is drawn from Ephesians 2:21-22, which explains that in Christ, the entire structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple. This imagery reveals that the church is not merely a collection of individual followers but a unified spiritual dwelling where God’s presence resides ([49:04]). The metaphor of believers as “living stones” being built into a spiritual house illustrates that the church is a living, dynamic temple, not constructed from physical materials but formed as a vibrant, organic community that has been growing for over two millennia ([45:55], [50:32]).

This spiritual house is characterized by its communal nature, as emphasized in 1 Corinthians 12, where believers are identified as the body of Christ. Each member is an essential part of this body, contributing uniquely to the whole and working together to manifest Christ’s presence in the world ([47:28]). The church functions as an interconnected organism, with every individual playing a vital role in advancing God’s kingdom. The dual imagery of a holy temple and a body underscores that the Christian faith is both deeply personal and inherently communal, rooted firmly in Christ and expressed through the unity and cooperation of His people.

Together, these teachings affirm that believers are not isolated individuals but integral parts of a sacred, living temple. This temple is built upon Christ, grows through the active participation of its members, and serves as God’s dwelling place on earth, reflecting His presence and carrying out His mission in the world.

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from Risen Church, one of 60 churches in Boulder, CO