Beyond Buildings
Acts 7:44–50 (NASB95)
44“Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. 45“And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David. 46“David found favor in God’s sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47“But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. 48“However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says: 49‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is the footstool of My feet; What kind of house will you build for Me?’ says the Lord, ‘Or what place is there for My repose? 50‘Was it not My hand which made all these things?’
Stephen emphasizes the wilderness tabernacle as a divinely designed sanctuary, highlighting how it was constructed by Moses under God's instruction. Unlike pagan “tents,” this mobile structure reflected God’s desire to dwell among His people wherever they traveled. Notice this point: wherever God’s people are, He is also present. The tabernacle’s portability underscored that God’s presence was not confined to a specific location but traveled with His covenant community. Stephen’s argument is radical: Israel’s worship was never meant to be centralized in a fixed temple. God transcends geography, and His presence cannot be restricted to institutions.
Although God permitted Solomon to construct the temple, Stephen cites Isaiah 66:1–2 to diminish its importance: “Heaven is My throne… what sort of house will you build for Me?” While it served a function and was beneficial, the temple risked becoming an idol—a representation of national pride instead of a site of humble obedience. Similar to the golden calf, the temple could be misappropriated in an effort to ‘domesticate’ God, reducing Him to a local deity governed by rituals. Stephen’s critique reflects Jesus’ cleansing of the temple: structures and practices intended to honor God can corrupt worship if we prioritize the structure or the practice over God Himself.
The tabernacle prefigured Christ, the “true tent” (John 1:14), who “tabernacled” among us. Similarly, the temple foreshadowed Jesus’ body, the ultimate dwelling of God’s glory (John 2:21). Stephen’s critique prepares his listeners for the Gospel’s punchline: Jesus, not the temple, is now the focal point of God’s presence and salvation. Rejecting Him, as Israel rejected Moses and the prophets, is equivalent to rejecting God.
What is the lesson for us today? Buildings, programs, worship music, and traditions are tools. They are tools for mission. We are given them to bring people into worship and a relationship with God. If we elevate the tools above the mission itself, we have missed the point. Like the Tabernacle, the church is called to be a ‘mobile’ witness. We should care for and steward our tools well, but we should prioritize taking the Gospel beyond walls into our community.
What about us? Are there traditions, preferences, or programs that we are elevating above the mission?
Blessings,
Ryan Goodnight