Prior to being martyred, Stephen spoke the following words before the Sanhedrin;
“The Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands.” Acts 7:48 NKJV
Out of everyone present who heard these words, no other person was impacted more by them than a young man from Tarsus. Saul was present the day Stephen was wrongfully put to death (Acts 7:58; Acts 22:20). Unbeknownst to Saul at the time, a seed was planted in his heart that day; a seed that he would one day scatter abroad as a man who had an encounter with Jesus.
Fifteen years later, Paul would travel to Greece and repeat Stephen’s words to the men of Athens at the Areopagus;
“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” Acts 17:24 NKJV
In both instances this phrase was uttered in the book of Acts, it was said to a group of religious people (Acts 6:8-15; Acts 7:22-23). The phrase was truly relevant for the time as a religious spirit had overtaken the Jews and the nations around them; however, I believe Stephen’s words are still relevant today and church folks could be reminded of it.
To be quite frank, some church folks today have been overtaken with a religious spirit. These said people are some of the most well-meaning people in church but have a misplaced sense of holiness. In many traditional and holiness circles, the emphasis of holiness is often placed on the exterior or the church building. For example, attending church without a dress or suit is considered disrespectful; bringing food or beverages inside the sanctuary is considered sacrilegious; implementing technology or new music in church services is considered worldliness and desecration.
Most people who think this way have a great desire to please the Lord and will tell you the fear of the Lord is what drives their zeal. I truly believe the fear of the Lord is one of the most important traits a Christian should have; however, that goes with saying, “God does not dwell in temples made with hands.”
There was a time in the Old Testament where God used to dwell in the tabernacle and in the temple. Because God is a holy God, no man or woman was permitted to approach the holy presence of God without first becoming ceremonially clean. Many religious people in the church today know this and jump to the conclusion that the same approach is required for attending church services today. They often quote Malachi 3:6. “For I am the Lord, I do not change.”
It is true that God has not nor cannot change. It is also true that His requirements for holiness and righteousness remain the same. The same standards for holiness and righteousness still apply to us today and forever; however, the standards no longer apply to buildings but instead must be applied to our HEARTS. The reason is because God doesn’t dwell in church buildings; He dwells in our hearts.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV
A few weeks ago, I ended up working late in Lewisville and couldn’t attend Wednesday night service at my home church in Saginaw. I had decided to visit another Assemblies of God church in Bedford. For whatever reason, the church I visited decided to have services in the fellowship hall that night where they had prepared a meal before the service. It was one of the most relaxed services I attended in a long time. People were dressed casual and some were wearing t-shirts and shorts; however, the people were clearly clothed with the righteousness of God. I remember meeting a young married couple who were visiting from Louisiana. What impressed me the most about them is they radiated with the glory of the Lord. If you had seen their countenance, you would have recognized they had been with Jesus! Oh, how I long to radiate with His presence as well!
With all of that said, that Wednesday night service was one of the most refreshing and amazing services I have attended in YEARS. The presence of the Lord showed up in the fellowship hall despite the lacking formalities. Why? Because our hearts were prepared to receive Him.
It amazes me how some of the biggest proponents for maintaining the sanctity of the church building are often those that neglect the holiness of their own hearts. Their hearts are riddled with pride and self-righteousness. In some extreme instances, they stir up division in the church believing they are fighting for a worthy cause. But again, let me remind you of Stephen’s words, “God does not dwell in temples made with hands.”
Pentecost was the day God no longer confined Himself to buildings but made our hearts His new dwelling place (Acts 2). Church buildings in and of themselves are nothing more than a pile of bricks on an acre of land. Church facilities hold property value but ZERO eternal value. The Old Testament tabernacle no longer exists. The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD and hasn’t existed in nearly two millennia. Church buildings spring up everyday and one day they’ll crumble to the ground; but the soul lives forever.
If Christians today grabbed hold of this simple truth and placed their efforts on maintaining holiness and righteousness in their hearts, I truly believe we would see more unity in the church. For a united church is a strong church and a strong church is an effective church.
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11 NKJV
Joshua Hawk 