What is the importance or value of a church building?
church building
The Bible presents the church as an entity made up of redeemed followers of Christ from every nation and era (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 12:23). When the Bible speaks of a “church,” it means believers in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:5). However, when we speak of a “church,” we are often referring to the building in which a local group of Christians meets. The first Christians did not have a designated building for their meetings. They met in homes (Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2). Today, a church building is considered an important part of Christian worship.
Acts 2:46 describes a large gathering of Christians meeting in the outer courts of the temple. Scholars believe that, in the first two centuries throughout the Roman Empire, as Christianity spread rapidly, Christians would gather in public places, attracting unbelievers and those with questions. It is interesting to note that, even when there may have been several places available for meetings, all the Christians in one city met together in one place. There were no denominations or factions meeting independently.
The earliest designated church building known to historians was located on the Euphrates River in Roman Syria. It was a large house, remodeled somewhere around AD 240 to create a large common area and secondary room for the baptistry. As Christianity spread into other nations, church buildings became commonplace. By the 11th century, grand cathedrals dotted European cities with smaller parish churches sprouting up in towns and villages.
Most homes today are not large enough to host the number of Christians who wish to worship together. Christianity has become the largest religion in the world, and in many locations, outdoor meetings such as Acts 2 describes are not possible. Designated church buildings are important in that they provide a consistent meeting place for Christians in an area. They provide a neutral gathering place, an equalizer for the wide variety of lifestyles that make up the Body of Christ. Homes large enough to accommodate several hundred worshipers would have to be those of the ultra-wealthy. The display of such personal wealth would be a distraction from the purpose of the meeting and an invisible divider between the haves and the have-nots.
Many church buildings are valuable in that they are multi-purpose. Some house Christian schools during the week. Some offer meals, shelter, or other daily provisions for struggling members of the community. A church building is often the hub of social life in a small town, being the site of dinners, meetings, and youth activities. A church building is usually viewed as a safe place, a refuge for travelers or those in need. Regardless of denomination, most churches represent a link to God for those outside the faith and are often a drawing card for people in crisis.
Some church buildings lose their importance when they become “whitewashed tombs” such as Jesus spoke of in Matthew 23:27. They are opulent, beautiful, imposing—and dead. The grandeur of a building has no connection to the faith of its people. God can meet with His people anywhere. A building is merely a shelter for their bodies, not a factor in their worship. In fact, religion loves its ostentatious structures that often hide its empty theology.
A church building can be important, but whether a church uses a building, a tent, or a grand stadium, it should teach biblical doctrine, proclaim the gospel of salvation, and glorify Christ.
26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
What does it mean that “the truth will set you free”
“The truth will set you free” is a common saying in academic circles that want to promote academic freedom and the power of learning. Many universities have this statement emblazoned on a sign near the entrance of a building. But “the truth will set you free” did not originate in academia; Jesus said it in John 8:32. In context, Jesus’ statement has nothing to do with classroom learning. In fact, John 8:32 speaks of a higher form of knowledge than is capable of being learned in a classroom.
Jesus had just finished a speech at the temple where He delineated differences between Himself and His listeners. “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins” (John 8:23–24). The result of Jesus’ message was that “even as he spoke, many believed in him” (verse 30). Then, in verse 31, Jesus begins to speak just to those who had believed.
“Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples’” (John 8:31). True discipleship is more than intellectual assent; those who are “really” followers of Christ will “hold to” His Word. That means they will not only accept His teachings as truth, but they will also obey His teachings. Action is proof of faith (cf. James 2:17).
True disciples of Jesus believe that He speaks the truth about God and the Scriptures. They also know that He is who He claims to be. Back in verse 25, the people asked Jesus who He was, and He responded, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning.” There may be a tinge of exasperation in His response; He had repeatedly made known that He was the Messiah, the one they had anticipated for many years.
Verse 32 begins with, “Then you will know the truth.” “You” refers to those who are true disciples of Jesus. True disciples will know the truth. More than that, their eyes are opened to a greater understanding of the truth (cf. 1 John 5:20).
The truth Jesus’ disciples receive brings with it freedom. Jesus continues, “And the truth will set you free” (verse 32). At that point in history, the Jews were under the rule of the Roman government. Even though Rome gave them an exceptional amount of autonomy, they were keenly aware of the Roman presence around them in the form of soldiers, governors, and empirically appointed kings. When Jesus said the truth would set them free, however, He was not talking about political freedom (though the following verses indicate that’s how the Jews took it). Jesus provides the best commentary for His own statement in verse 34. Jesus explains, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” Being a slave to sin is the ultimate bondage.
The freedom Jesus offers is a spiritual freedom from the bondage of sin—that is, release from the lifestyle of habitual lawlessness. He continues with an analogy: “Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever” (verse 35). The people would have understood Jesus to mean that they were not members of God’s family, despite their biological relationship to Abraham (verse 37), because they were slaves to sin. If they were to become disciples of Jesus, they would know the truth of their condition and the truth about Christ, and Jesus would set them free. Believers would be freed from their bondage and brought into the family of God.
Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). Knowing the Truth will set one at liberty—free from sin, free from condemnation, and free from death (Romans 6:22; 8:1–2). Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the captives (Luke 4:18). “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16, ESV).
