Interpretations of Spiritual House in 1 Peter 2:4–10 and Their Implications on the Indwelling of Divine Presence

Seminary Room N335

The person-to-person paradigm of divine presence within the OT, the time of the first advent of Jesus in the NT, and after the second advent of the Jesus in the New Jerusalem poses a question of divine presence for the waiting period in between Jesus ascension and Second Advent. In what way is the Holy Spirit present with the Christian church during this time of waiting? The question for this research is in what way, if at all, does the concept of the spiritual house of 1 Peter address the issue of divine presence? The way in which this research will answer this question is by exegetically defining spiritual house and the closely related spiritual sacrifices in 1 Peter 2:4–10. These definitions will help to draw out the implications for divine presence based on this passage.