“[So] you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15

Throughout the Middle Ages there were many church movements and many leaders who influenced the people in different ways.

As early as 330 A.D. there was rivalry between the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Greek Orthodox Churches with the move of the civil seat to Constantinople. The final split between them came in 869 A.D. Because the Orthodox Church refused to recognize the authority of the pope, the division never healed (See Photius and Council Constantinople IV Encyclopedia Britannica).

The Orthodox Church held back the Islam religion from “flooding” western Europe. There have been many martyrs among this church—they were willing to suffer and die for their faith.

Great temples and cathedrals have been built throughout the civilized world. It was usually the poor people who donated the money to build and keep them in good repair.

In Jesus’ day it was not “Christian work” to raise money for church purposes; today some think money-raising is the ideal work for Jesus. The apostles taught that the real work of the church of Christ is not to build churches, but to build itself up in the most holy faith. Jude 20

God’s people are like living stones; they are being shaped and polished by their experiences for places in the spiritual temple. This temple is not a church of stone or brick; it is, rather, made up of those who follow Jesus in the service of the truth during the Gospel age (1 Peter 2:5, 9). These will do good unto all people as they have opportunity. Galatians 6:10

The fellowship of the brethren is important (Hebrews 10:25). Gathering together to study and pray and sing praises will help those following Jesus to keep themselves in “the light” of God’s word and to let that light shine out to others. This can be done anywhere, not just in a church building. Acts 17:24; Colossians 4:15

Some do not have an opportunity to meet with others of simi- lar faith, yet they are clear in their knowledge of the truth and have a deep appreciation of God’s plan because they have done so much reading and studying. So the Lord provides for all who are called and seek to follow Jesus and become “living stones” in the temple of God.

Great cathedrals have been built with money from poor people.