"...you also, as living stones,are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." [nkjv]
in the days of The Old Testament, The Temple was regarded as central to the Worship of the Jews, The first Temple being constructed by King Solomon. [circa1000B.C.] When Jesus began His Ministry, in reply to the Jews, He referred to His Physical Body as 'The Temple' [John 2:19ff]. Now, we know that Christ Is the Head and we , the Church,...are the Body [Collosians 1:18ff], so now that Christ Has Ascended, The Holy Spirit Coming on the Day of Pentecost, [Acts 1:5 & 2:1-4]... We , the Church, are the Temple of The Holy Spirit [1 Corinthians 6:19], Hallelujah !!!...having been born- again of The Holy Spirit...[Titus 3:5,6]
PRAISE THE LORD !!!!!!!!!! FOR THE FIRST 300 YRS OR SO OF CHRISTIANITY, THERE WERE NO STRUCTURES WE KNOW AS 'BUILDINGS' FOR THE CHURCH !!!...mainly because the persecution of the prevailing [Roman / Jewish]] authorities of the day. forbad their meeting openly. Hence, their secret assemblies in catacombs, caves, and 'safe' houses...until The Emperor Constantine decreed an end to the ostracism of Christians.
YET, even with three hundred years of persecution... THE CHURCH GREW LIKE WILDFIRE ! ...
...and the very 'gates of Hell could not prevail against it !!!
THE MAIN POINT OF THIS STUDY IS THIS...........
WE NEED TO GET OUR EYES OFF THE MATERIAL AND ONTO THE SPIRITUAL.....
GOD WILL PROVIDE ALL WE NEED TO DO HIS WILL[Phil.4:19]
OUR DUTY IS TO SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD....[Matt.6:33]
RIGHT NOW , THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TODAY, THERE ARE NUMEROUS CHURCHES [''ECCLESIA''= 'called out ones' -Grk], who have no Official 'Buildings'... yet they have witnessed much growth in numbers and maturity....[eg China]
TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY !!!....
[COLLOSIANS 3:1-4]
MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU.