Let us go through the following scripture verse or verses by verses. Stephen speaks with the love of Jesus, remaining calm, and is "telling it like it is" to the powers that be.
Acts. 7:44-53 (NIV)
44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. 45 After
receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with
them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.
The attention of Stephen is focused on the building of both the tabernacle and the Temple. He refers to the tabernacle in the wilderness and that it was brought in by JOSHUS. Then reference is made to the days of David and the fact that it he wanted to build the house of the God of Jacob. However, his son, Solomon was the one to do so.
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’
Stephen, at His trial, refers to what Jesus said, "I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will bild another made without hands" (Mk 14:58) This is spoken to explain what the false witnesses charged him with. Stephens argument is concluding and now he is getting personal.
51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”
What is Stephen saying here? He is using a descriptive term which has been used many times by God of the Jews. That they were uncircumcised in heart and ears meant that while they were circumcised i the physical sense, their disobedience in not receiving the message of the prophets caused them to be ungodly in their hearts and lives.
Their resistance to the workings of the Holy Spirit is something that their forefather also showed. Stephen shows the LORD JESUS as one of many prophets whom the Jews betrayed and murdered. The forefathers killed the messengers who predicted the coming of the Just One or Righteous One, and they, themselves, brought a violent death to the Just One (Righteous One). Wow! He did not pull punches!
May you connect on this section. Tomorrow with show Stephens nature as that one of Jesus Christ. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
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