Acts Lesson 24: Stephen’s Message VII {The Temple}

Acts 7:44-50; Stephen's defense against the charge that he had blasphemed the Temple. Tensions are beginning to rise in the Council members listening to his powerful message! He is coming close to his conclusion. Stephen had evidently spoken a lot (in his past debates in the Greek-speaking synagogues) about the One (Jesus) Who was greater than the Temple, which is why he was accused of blaspheming the Temple. In his sermon, Stephen stressed how the Tabernacle (later the Temple) served as a witness of that which was Greater! It was a picture-type witness of the day when the Messiah would tabernacle with men and open the way for God to bring a redeemed people boldly into His holy Presence to tabernacle (dwell) with Him forever! Stephen's point was that he was not blaspheming the current Temple by his understanding that its purpose was ended, and it would give place to the next stage: God dwelling in His people.