The New Naos

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1^st Cor. 6:19-20 (NIV)

There are two words in biblical Greek for ‘temple.’ The first is hieron. It is the word Matthew uses when the disciples of Jesus pointed out its magnificence to Him (Matt. 24:1). It is the entire precinct or facility. The second Greek word is naos, which Paul uses. This word is from the root naio, to dwell.

Within the heiron was the naos, a separate room, also known as the Holy of Holies. This was where the Ark of the Covenant, containing the Ten Commandments, once sat, and the presence of God dwelt. According to the writings of the Maccabees the ark was supposedly removed and hidden by the prophet Jeremiah for its protection from foreign invaders. To this day its whereabouts remain unknown.

A huge curtain veiled the temple naos to separate the awesome Glory of the Infinite from the fallen and finite. Only the high priest was allowed to enter that room, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement to make penance for the sins of the nation (Leviticus 16:2). Entering into the presence of the Living God was a fearsome task not for the fainthearted or careless. The high priest had to follow God’s instruction to the letter. Any deviation of doing anything his way would result in his death as it did with the two sons of Aaron (Lev. 10:1-2).

From the cross Jesus was heard saying that the work of salvation was finished (Jn. 19:30). This is when you, as a believer, were bought with a price, purchased at a cost of unbelievable sacrifice on God’s part. Darkness covered the land from noon to three in the afternoon with a rock rending earthquake tearing the temple veil from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51, Lk. 23:44). In tearing that curtain open God was showing humanity they could now come boldly into a new relationship with Him, obtaining grace and mercy through His Son Jesus Christ (Heb. 4:16).

Now, for all who accept the redemptive work of the perfect Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29, Rev. 12:11) the presence of the Holy Spirit has moved from the heiron into a new temple, or naos, not made with hands.  What can contain Him? Heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool (Acts 7:48-49). Living without He can live relationally within. When you believed, the Holy Spirit indwelt you and you became the new naos. You are now the Holy of Holies.

This is your promise and security. You are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of full redemption either through the resurrection from the dead or in the sudden gathering of the Bride of Christ to Himself, that is to come (1^st Thessalonians 4:14-18).

Meanwhile we walk in the light of Christ and in that light we do not stumble in sinful choices, honoring God with our bodies. He gives us the Holy Spirit to live within being our comforter, advocate, guide, and teacher, to forever remain with us (Jn. 14:15-17).

Before the finished work of God’s perfect sacrifice in His Son, the people had to journey to the temple to deal with their sin. Now the temple walks among the people, offering mercy and forgiveness. We are His light bearers, the naos that presents the opening through the veil to a people it once separated.

As the new naos, you are revealing God’s grace, acceptance, and peace to a weary world that is now open and available to all (Matt. 5:16). May your light so shine that the many see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven!

Maranatha,

Ken