Jesus said, “I will build My church . . .” (Matthew 16:18). The figure of a building helps us to understand the nature and purpose of the church. The building of the church began in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost in 30 AD. (Acts 2)

The church is built “upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus is the corner stone and all who place their faith in Him for eternal life “are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:20, 22)

Thus, the church is called “a holy temple” (Ephesians 2:21) — “the temple of the living God.” (2 Corinthians 6:16) We “are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)

What is true of the church universally is also true of local churches. Speaking of the church in Corinth, Paul warns, “If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

In other words, any person who disrupts and destroys a church by divisions, malice and other harmful acts invites God’s discipline. By the same token, what is true of a local church is also true of a believer’s body. For this reason, Paul urges Christians not to use their body for immorality saying, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, . . . therefore, glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)