Dear all,

Maybe this time I will discuss the Bible studies first.

It turned out that the previous Bible study on chapter 7 was more difficult than I originally thought. Perhaps I should take this opportunity to discuss the two accusations made against Stephen by the Jews, and his response.

The first accusation was against “this holy place” (i.e. the temple) and more specifically his preaching that “Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place” (vv 13, 14). Stephen’s response is as follows.

1. God was working among his people everywhere at the time of the patriarchs (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Canaan, etc). He was not confined to a single place (7:1-19)

2. Similarly, he was working in Egypt, Mt Sinai and a portable tabernacle during the time of Moses (7:20-43).

3. Even though the tabernacle was eventually replaced by the temple, God does not live in houses “made by hands” (7:44-50). Note the phrase “made by hands” is regularly used throughout the Old Testament to describe idols (e.g. Is 31:7 and even Acts 7:41 in relation to the golden calf). Stephen was accusing the Jews of making the temple an idol.

The second accusation was against “the law” and Moses’ custom. Stephen’s response was simply that the Jews’ forefathers consistently rejected Moses (vv 23-29, 39-40) and the law (vv 41-42, 51-53).

Hopefully this will clear things up.

As usual, you will find the next Bible study, on chapters 8 and 9, attached.

I think by now you would have noticed that it is sometimes a big struggle in our busy working lives to keep on meeting each other for Bible study and so on. It’s just easier to stay at home, watch TV and catch up on those hours of sleep. But we see Jesus, having opened up the way for us to enter the presence of God, seating at the Father’s right hand, and being appointed as the judge of the universe. And therefore we must keep on meeting and encouraging each other. Make sacrifices if we must, but we need to keep on meeting, as judgment is near, and we are assured that it’s all worth it.

Kelvin