If you were preparing to receive a pet you would need to know what it required. A bird’s needs are very different than a dog’s needs. And a cat’s needs are different than those for a fish!
Here we have a people who wanted to prepare a place for their God! But they got it very wrong! Don’t you make the same mistake.
Stephen had been pointing out various mistakes his ancestors had made in their religious practices. He was speaking before the Jewish Council who had him on trial because of his Christian faith. They were angry with Stephen for showing up the errors of their ancestors, yet what could they say? All that Stephen had said was true, according to their history in the Holy Scriptures!
Stephen then spoke to them about their great king David, “who enjoyed God’s favour and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for Him.” (verses 46-47.)
But would a house that would please kings, suit and please the Great God of Heaven and Earth? “The Most High God does not live in houses made by men,” Stephen told them, and went on to remind them of what God had said through His prophet Isaiah: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house would you build for Me?" (verse 49. Isaiah 66:1-2.)
The Council was furious that anyone should dare to say that their magnificent temple was unfit for God! Many people still like to think that God dwells in impressive church buildings, and their religious ceremonies centre around that belief. So, it is still very unpopular to point out that God “does NOT live in temples built by hands.” (Acts 17:24-25.)
Do you know where God says is fit for Him to dwell? He delights to dwell within the bodies of those who trust His Son, Jesus Christ, to forgive them and purify their lives. (1stCorinthians 3:16. 6:19-20.)
But the hearts and lives of those in that Council were unfit for God. Stephen left them in no doubt about their condition before Holy God: “You stiff-necked people! … You always resist the Holy Spirit.” (verse 51.)
There is no doubt that their hearts were unfit for God, and their ears were deaf to God’s word. He reminded them that they had even “betrayed and murdered” God’s Righteous Servant, Jesus Christ, who had been sent by God to bring them Salvation. (verse 52. John 6:36-40.)
Don’t you be like this Jewish Council; receiving God’s message, but not willing to believe it, and obey it, (verse 53) and not willing to accept that only Jesus can make you acceptable to God. (2ndCorinthians 5:17-21.) You should want to obey God’s Word, the Holy Bible, and trust Jesus Christ as your only Saviour now, and no longer be unfit for God.
Read Acts of the Apostles chapter 7, verses 45-53.
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