WE SHALL NOT DIE - Reading With the People of God #17Намуна

Where Does God Live? And Other Questions That Might Get You Killed.

One of the accusations made against Jesus that was used to justify his crucifixion was that he threatened to destroy the temple and rebuild it in 3 days (Matthew 26:60-61). He was actually speaking about the temple of his body in this case (John 2:19-22), though he also predicted that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed within a generation (Matthew 24).

Today, we will be continuing our reading of Stephen’s speech in the book of Acts, which will end with him being stoned to death as the first Christian martyr. Like Jesus, Stephen is being accused of speaking against the temple:

“They produced false witnesses, who testified, ‘This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.’”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭6‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Stephen’s speech is his response to this accusation. Throughout his speech Stephen reminds his accusers of the whole story of Israel. His summary focuses on the way in which God has dwelt with His people and on the ways in which they had rejected and sinned against Him. First he reviewed God’s relationship with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Then he moved on to the special relationship He formed with Moses that led to the building of the tabernacle, which was the place God’s glory dwelt in the midst of the people. It was replaced many years later by the temple Solomon built. The sinfulness and infidelity of the people led to the destruction of the temple and their exile in Babylon. When they returned from exile, they rebuilt the temple. It was this temple that Jesus would prophesy the destruction of, and it was this temple that Stephen was accused of speaking against.

So why is this such a serious accusation that it lead to his execution?

Because Jesus changes everything. It was not God’s ultimate plan to be worshiped by one nation forever, but to use that nation to bless all nations (Gen 12:3). When Jesus conquered the grave, the world changed but his accusers were still stuck in the old world they were comfortable with. They were comfortable with their God living in their temple for the sake of their people, but Stephen reminded them that, “the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands.” (Acts 7:48 NIV) By the Spirit we ourselves are temples united to Christ. As Paul says:

“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;”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Primer contributed by Wesley Viau