John 4:15-24, God is a Spirit: We must worship God in spirit and in truth.

God is not present in any Temple (Church) that We built

"John 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father." From Adam to Jesus Christ, God has brought his people in stages of relationship. Jesus was telling the woman that the hour is coming, that is, the next stage of transition was at hand. Jesus declined both worship places, including the temple. the reason is: "Acts 7:48 .. the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; .., 49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me?" So, God declined to accept any building that is built by people as a worship place, even the temple, that include our churches also. God allowed the temple to be broken down in 60 AD, and all Jews to be scattered. I am not telling you to abandon the churches. But, it is good to know that the presence of God is not in churches as the the religious people say. "Acts 17:24 says, God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;" And, "1 Corinthians 3:16 says, Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" So, if the Spirit of God is in us, then, we are the temple of God. We can use churches or any buildings. But we do not need them to worship God.

Next verse. "John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews." The phrase "salvation is of the Jews" appears to be controversial, but in its context, it is not. Samaritans say that they worship the God of Abraham, but they worship the golden calves, which are idols. They do not know what they worship. That is what Jesus said. But, the Jews have the scriptures in the temple, and so they know about God and salvation. There is no controversy.

From Now! True Worshipers Worship God in Spirit and in Truth

The Hour has Come, It is now!

Now the next verse. "23 But the hour cometh, and now is,.." Jesus Christ has said that the hour has come and it is now. That is, an entire new era has begun at that time. The time of Jesus, not only divided the history of the world as BC and AD, but God has changed spiritual things also. "John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." This verse actually points to the old testament, about creation and the subsequent events. God has created the world and the people in it, but they did not know him, that is, they did not obey him. So, God chose Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who was Israel. Jacob obeyed God and so, God took him as his own. "11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not." Even though Jacob obeyed God, his descendents, Israel did not receive Jesus. "12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" So, God has rejected Israel, and accepted those who believed on his name, as his people. God gave them power and the Holy Spirit so that they may become his sons. Romans 8:8&9 say, that if we are in the flesh, we cannot please God. But if we are in the Spirit, the Spirit of God dwell in us. If we do not have the Spirit, we do not belong to Christ. This is what the verses say. From the hour or the time of the resurrected Jesus Christ, Israel was no more the chosen of God. God chose them, who are with the holy spirit, as his people.

What is the Truth?

Let us continue 23, ".. the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:.." We all know the phrase 'in spirit and in truth'. It has become a cliché and every Christian knows it. They all say that they worship God in spirit and in truth. But, they do not know, what spirit is and what truth is. First let us look what truth is. "John 17:17 Jesus says, thy word is truth." So, God's word is truth. What is God's word? Most preachers speak using the name of God, as God is speaking through them. Mostly they want something for them. They are con artists, and it is to rob and plunder believers. That is not the word of God. Then, there are the nice and decent peoples, the theologians and pastors, they interpret the bible in many ways to promote their own doctrine. Neither their interpretations are from God. So, we must take the word of God in its own context, without any interpretation, but with sincere mind and with the intention to do what God tells us to do. Then, God will reveal his word to us, then we will know the truth, and then the truth will make us free from our sins. This is the truth.

What is the Spirit?

Jesus tells us to be born again, that is to born of the spirit. Born again is not to become religious or to become moral. It is not to be baptized with the Holy Ghost either. "Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest (layaway) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." If we understand the word of God, believe and trust Jesus Christ, God will seal the holy spirit in us. It is a layaway agreement of purchase transaction. It is an advance given to us and we will get the full amount, as inheritance on that day when we will see him. Or, it is an advance given to purchase us, and he will take the full possession of us on that day as his adopted sons. So, on that great day, we will become his sons, and he will become our Father. God gives the holy spirit, as his seal of promise.

Who is God?

In order to worship God, we must know who God is. God is a Spirit. He is the one and only omnipotent Spirit and he created the entire universe. He existed before all beginnings, and he will exist unto the everlasting future. This God is not a power or an energy, but he is a person. He is the only true God. The Lord Jesus Christ fits all these criteria and that is why he is God. If any Jesus, who does not fit these criteria, he is another Jesus. If a Christ, who does not fit this criteria, he is a false Christ. If any god, who does not fit these criteria, he is not God. We can reject any false god by this test. The traditional gods, sentimental gods, ceremonial gods, legend gods, religious gods, and any such god, can be rooted out, if we want them out.

What is worshiping God?

"23 ... the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." We all want to worship God. Billions of us from the world worship some kind of God. But God seeks only the worship of the true worshippers. They have the holy spirit, they are fixed on the truth, and they have the knowledge of the only true God. God tells us to know the truth, to be born again, to be guided by the holy spirit, to communicate with the spirit of God, and to merge or to abide with his Spirit. If we are not ceremonial, religious, entertaining, or superficial, and if we submit ourselves to God to do his will, then the Spirit of God will unite himself with our spirit, give us power and grace, and will be making us his sons. This interaction is known as worship. But, our church worship services are comprised of songs and music, exhortation, bible study, preaching, entertaining, doing social or religious activities, and such. We see them as worshipping God. But these are our religious exhibits, but not worshipping God. If we give adoration to God, receive power and blessing from God; then it is worship. If we truly worship him, we will become his sons, and we will inherit his kingdom as his sons. So, let us worship God.

Note: If any point needs explanation, OR, if you find an error according to scripture,
Please write to me in the 'Mail Box' below. I will reply promptly. Thanks.