In the Old Testament God dwelt among His people in a place called 'the holy of holies' or 'the most holy place.' This was the inner part of the temple. First the Tabernacle, and then the temple were made of many courts/areas. Only certain people were allowed into each court. At the centre of the courts was the temple which housed an outer and inner holy place. The priests would come and go in the holy place, but only the high priest on the Day of Atonement was allowed into the most holy place, which was behind a huge veil/curtain.
We see a warning throughout the Old Testament that anyone who comes close to God will die. This is not because God is vengeful, it is because when we have sin, God's presence is too much for us. God found a way for us to come close to Him and for Him to come close to us. When Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. This signified that it was God who had done this and the way to Him was now through Jesus and not through the temple.
To me, the most startling thing in all of this is that in the Old Testament people could not go near God. His dwelling place among His people was separated from the people. But now, because of Jesus, God dwells in us and to ram the point home, He calls us His temple.
These first two verses tell us God no longer dwells in buildings made of stone:
'However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says, "heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?" says the Lord. "Or what is the place of my rest?"' Act 7:48-49
'The God who made the world and all things in it, He, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands. He isn’t served by our hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He Himself gives to all life and breath, and all things.' Acts 17:24-25
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These next verses tell us that we are now God's temple:
'Don’t you know that you are a temple of God, and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy them; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.' 1 Cor 3:16-17
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'Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.' 1 Cor 6:19-20
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'What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people.”' 2 Cor 6:16
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'For through Jesus both Jews and Gentiles have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.' Eph 2:20-22
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'You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.' 1 Pet 2:5
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In case you were wondering what is meant by "spiritual sacrifices", I have put together the verses that mention them:
'Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.' Rom 12:1-2
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'Even as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, walk in love as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.' Eph 5:2
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'But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.' Phil 4:18
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'Through Jesus, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to His name. But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.' Heb 13:15-16
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