Disciples Digital Library

Jesus revealed that the presence and worship of God are no longer limited to geographic locations or man-made structures – John 4:20-24. Jesus revealed the proper form and location of the worship of the Father to a Samaritan woman. With the arrival of Israel’s Messiah, concepts and traditions about holy space and holy time are irrelevant. The presence of the Son of God renders the historical debate over the location of the Temple pointless. From now on, worship must be performed  in  Spirit and Truth  – (John 4:20-24).

The New Testament usage of the term “ assembly ” or “ congregation ” is derived from the language and imagery of Israel assembled before Yahweh for worship in front of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. The Greek noun rendered “church” in many English translations is ekklésia , and it means “assembly, congregation, convocation.” In secular Greek, it could refer to an “assembly” of citizens gathered to conduct matters of state. However, that is not how the word is used in the Greek New Testament.

Jesus is the High Priest of the true and greater Sanctuary “made without hands” foreshadowed by the Ancient Tabernacle . Jesus is the High Priest who serves in the “ True Tent pitched by the Lord and not man ,” the Greater Tabernacle and place of worship foreshadowed by the religious structures and rituals of Israel. The Son of God has become our “ priest forever ” who ministers for us “ at the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens ” – (Hebrews 8:1-2).

Jesus is the Greater Tabernacle in whom the presence and glory of God reside and manifest for all men to see – John 1:14. The  Gospel of John  presents Jesus as the place where the glory of God is revealed, the Greater and Final Tabernacle in which His presence dwells permanently. With the advent of Jesus Christ, the worship of men desired by the Father is no longer limited to man-made structures, geographic locations, or the annual calendar and seasons – (Genesis 1:14-18, Galatians 4:8-10).