Acts 7:1-53

The most dangerous lies are half-true. It is easy for us to recognize a complete and total 100% false lie. However, when a liar builds a lie on a foundation of truth, the part that is true, camouflages the falsehood. The people accusing Stephen were very religious, but they were not righteous.  They were excessively skilled in the art of deception.

They accused Stephen of speaking against the temple. Stephen had spoken about the temple, but he had not spoken against it. Everyone who listened to Stephen with an honest heart knew what he said. Now in an effort to reveal the lie, and at the same time expose the truth, Stephen spoke his case before the Sanhedrin.

Stephen reminded them of the burning bush. God’s presence in the bush made that place holy ground. A man-made building cannot make ground holy nor did any other human activity. God’s presence makes a place or structure holy.

He reminded them that their ancestors built the tabernacle in the wilderness following God’s instructions. The tabernacle did not make the people righteous. In spite of having the tabernacle in their midst, they turned to false gods and worthless idols. The tabernacle could not save them.

Solomon, following his father’s wishes, built the original temple. They intended it to be God’s house. However, God does not live in houses made by man. If God were small enough that we could put Him in a house, He would not be big enough to save us.

Stephen makes clear by quoting scripture that he does not believe God dwells everywhere. God does not dwell in earth or in nature. In fact, the earth is God’s footstool. No one foolish enough to worship Mother Nature or any of God’s creation knows God.

God’s presence makes places, structures, things and people holy. God no longer confines His Holy Spirit to the holy of holies in the temple. Jesus Christ gives the Holy Spirit to his disciples, and we are God’s house.