Definitions:
Temple: an edifice or place dedicated to the service or worship of a deity or deities.
Church: the whole body of Christian believers;
Cult: a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
source: dictionary.com
A temple can be a physical building or a physical body. Since Yah doesn’t live in physical temples, the body is actually the true temple. The building called a temple is the place where bodies can join together to worship.
The Church is the body of true Believers, it is not a building.
And a cult is what the devil uses to sow confusion and attempt to cause Believers to not enter the Kingdom. Jehovah’s Witnesses is a cult. Christian denominations, in my opinion, are cults. Yashua (Jesus) never built one temple. Yet there are thousands of ‘churches,’ all claiming to follow him, though many in actuality do not. They are just cults in disguise. Hebrew Israelites, Mormonism, Hinduism, etc. are cultish systems that entrap people into thinking there are rites and rituals that are necessary to be holy. When it’s a lot simpler than this. These are systems created by men for men, not created by Yah for her children.
To be clear, all cults aren’t necessarily evil. But they can be confusing. Because it’s a somewhat unpopular belief that there’s only one way to Yah. Many people think there are many ways. But that’s part of the confusion.
Whether one calls themself a Buddhist, Baptist, or Methodist, if you believe that Messiah is at the center of each, then you will still follow his example. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). He wasn’t talking about the earthly body, but the eternal Spirit that has existed since before the beginning of time.
I have sympathy for those caught up in cults. I have been there. I was part of a church at one time that did all kinds of cultish things and witchcraft. Had me ‘sowing seeds,’ running around the church trying to get a ‘breakthrough,’ and all the time I felt deep down something wasn’t right but they had me brainwashed. Till enough was enough and I hit the door and never felt lighter and more free. I kind of feel like a fool for going through that, but hey, I learned a lot about what not to do. And more importantly, I never got my so-called breakthrough until I started to spend time alone with Yah. That’s when my spirit started to connect. So seeing the contrast helps me to relate to others who might be caught up like I was.
Ritual v. Relationship
Most religions are filled with things people are told they must do. There’s no reasoning behind this, other than possibly to create blind followers. On the contrary, Yashua told us to “deny [our]self, take up [our] cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23 ), to become like little children, and to love Yah and our brothers (all these things like he did). How simple is that? He basically told us to follow his example. These things create a bond between Him and us. And therefore they are required.
Things such as taking communion and paying tithes, on the other hand are not required. Nothing wrong with either, but they are optional. We are told however to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and to help others, which can be financially, but nowhere is there a requirement to give 10% of all we earn to one institution. That’s extortion. Some people give more than that, but directly to those who need it. I believe there’s more honor in this and it will be rewarded more if we make it to heaven. Blessings.
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” (Acts 17:24)
“For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”” (2 Corinthians 6:16)
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)