A God Without Borders

Acts 7:6–8 (NASB95) 

6“But God spoke to this effect, that his descendants would be aliens in a foreign land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. 7“ ‘And whatever nation to which they will be in bondage I Myself will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they will come out and serve Me in this place.’ 8“And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. 

In Acts 7:6–7, Stephen recounts God’s promise to Abraham: his descendants would be oppressed as “resident aliens” (πάροικον) in Egypt. This term, echoed in Hebrews 11:13 and 1 Peter 2:11, frames believers as spiritual exiles, prioritizing allegiance to God over earthly belonging. Stephen’s use of Exodus language (“they will worship Me in this place”) merges Genesis and Exodus quotes to argue that worship is not confined to the temple but revolves around God’s presence. This challenges the Sanhedrin’s accusation that Stephen opposed the temple (Acts 6:13–14), revealing their misplaced emphasis on ritual over relationship. 

By replacing Exodus’s “wilderness” with “this place,” Stephen redefines worship beyond Jerusalem. This resonates powerfully for Luke’s audience after AD 70—God’s presence now dwells in His Spirit-filled church (Acts 2:4; 4:31), not brick and mortar.   

But the Sanhedrin hardens their hearts. Their obsession with controlling worship through the temple mirrors earlier generations' rejection of Joseph and Moses (Acts 7:9–29). Stephen’s critique of their hypocrisy mirrors Jesus’ rebuke of religious leaders prioritizing tradition over justice and proper worship (Luke 11:42–44).  

What traditions might you be stuck in today that are limiting your effectiveness to witness boldly as Stephen did? What changes might we need to make to be effective in our community as a church?  

Blessings, 

Ryan Goodnight