Stephen’s words in Acts 7:44-50 reflect God’s call to reexamine the essence of worship, stretching beyond the boundaries of tradition and physical spaces. Under trial for speaking against the temple and the law, Stephen boldly challenged the deeply rooted perceptions of his accusers. These were not mere attacks on cherished institutions but an invitation to embrace the deeper reality of God’s presence.
Stephen’s defence is a masterpiece, rooted in clear theology, history and prophecy. By referencing the wilderness tabernacle and Solomon’s temple, Stephen underscores that God’s dwelling was never about the magnificence of human construction but about His abiding presence with His people.
As Isaiah declared, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?” (Isaiah 66:1) Stephen extends this truth, proclaiming, “The Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands” (Acts 7:48), reminding us of Israel’s journey as pilgrims as carriers of God’s presence wherever they went.
This message is both radical and liberating. It echoes Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman: “A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem… true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:21-24). Stephen’s declaration and Christ’s words dismantle the notion of confined worship, pointing instead to a worship rooted in authenticity and a relationship with God.
Lessons for Today
1. Worship cannot be reduced to rituals or locations. God seeks worship that flows from the depths of a surrendered and reverent heart.
2. From gorgeous church buildings to hotel auditoriums and quiet corners, God meets us wherever we invite Him in spirit and truth. This truth challenges us to carry worship into every facet of our daily lives.
3. Respecting traditions is valuable, but when traditions become barriers, we must allow God’s transformative truth to realign our focus on Him.
4. As believers, we are the “Living Temples” of God’s presence. This compels us to align our thoughts, actions and lives with His purposes, making every moment and action in life an act of worship.
Call to Action
Stephen’s fearless proclamation inspires us to be bold in our worship, unafraid to confront limitations that hinder authentic connection with God. Let us move beyond mere structures and customs, committing to a lifestyle of whole-hearted, reverent worship that invites God’s presence into every sphere of our lives. As we do, may we discover the boundless beauty of worship that is truly “in spirit and in truth”.
Daily Meditation
Monday – Psalm 95:6
Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
Tuesday – John 4:24
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
Wednesday – Psalm 63:1
O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Thursday – Psalm 100:4
Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
Friday – Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Saturday – Hebrews 13:15
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
Sunday – Psalm 27:4
One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple.
All scriptures are quoted from the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995).
By Pastor Clarence Goh
