God's House is Not a Building

God's "house" or "church" is generally defined and accepted by almost everyone as being a building.

Sometimes people will understand the "church" to be more than a building: I have heard it described as "the ecclesia, the gathering." But this limits it to "the gathering" in a place, as if, once that gathering disperses, the "church" also disperses: it does not go out into the world, but stays put as the physical stone structure that it is, or as the woodsy outdoor chapel, and sits and waits to become the "church" again next Sunday.

I have often heard pastors in the pulpit (or on the stage, as it may be) say "God is in this place," as if God isn't in that place or in our place: our home, apartment, condo, school, office, mini van, SUV, camper (I think we get the picture).

Many people are under the impression, and will even say, that they "go to church."

But in reality, the church comes to us in the form of the Holy Spirit of Christ (hence, Pentecost).

To understand this, we must have a right comprehension of "ecclesia."

This word, in my experience (and as I mentioned above), has always been explained as meaning "the gathered; the church." But deeper investigation reveals that "ecclesia" actually means that we bring church with us wherever we go, because we are the church, all the time. And when anyone engages with us, they engage with the church too.

“…the word 'ecclesia' is a combination of 2 words: meaning (literally) out of from inside of and called. Thus, it is a reference to the body of Christ which is made up of people who are called out of this world into Him. Thus, ‘church’ is a reference to PEOPLE rather than a PLACE or a building.”

John Oakes, writing on his website, Evidence for Christianity

David Pawson, writing in his A Commentary on Hebrews, applies this to the word "house" as well:

"When we say 'God's house' we are not referring to a building of bricks and mortar, timber or stone. We are referring to people, as we talk about the royal family; our Queen is of the 'house' of Windsor... the word 'house' (in the Old Testament) means the house of Israel; the household; the family. So Hebrews is saying that Moses was part of the house, part of that which was built, whereas Jesus was the one who built that which was built, and inhabits that which was built, and lives in his people. Hebrews says, 'You are that house' and this is one of the most exciting thoughts. I once tried to get across this meaning to a Sunday school class. To test the children to see if they understood, I said, 'If somebody asks you tomorrow morning where is the church, the house of God, what will you say?' A little girl replied, 'I will say I'm it.'" 

Where does Pawson draw this conclusion from? Scripture itself:

"Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all his house. For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house--whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end." Hebrews 3:1-6

A physical church building (be it an actual church with a spire, or a high school gymnasium, movie theater or outdoor chapel), is simply a place where God's house is brought to.

The church, the house of God, ecclesia in its true form, is everywhere at all times in each person who confesses, and lives out, Christ as Savior.


copyright Barb Harwood



"David found favor in God's sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:
'HEAVEN IS MY THRONE,
AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET;
WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?' says the Lord,
OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE?
WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE ALL THESE THINGS?'" Acts 7:46-50

"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.' Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man." Acts 17:24-29