Acts 6:14

“For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.”

Context:Acts 6:14 is part of a larger narrative in the book of Acts that describes the growth and expansion of the early Christian church. In this chapter, the apostles faced a problem regarding the distribution of food to widows. They appointed seven men, including Stephen, to oversee this task so that they could devote themselves to prayer and preaching. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

Accusation against Stephen:In verse 11 of Acts 6, some individuals from a synagogue confronted Stephen, falsely accusing him of speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God. They stirred up the people and the elders and brought Stephen before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council.

The accusation:Acts 6:14 records the specific accusation made against Stephen. The accusers claimed that they had heard Stephen say that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the temple and change the customs established by Moses.

Understanding the accusation:It’s important to note that the accusation was not accurate. Stephen did not teach that Jesus would destroy the physical temple, but rather that Jesus’ ministry and the establishment of the new covenant would bring about changes in religious practices. The accusation was likely an attempt to portray Stephen as a threat to Jewish traditions and customs.

Jesus and the temple:While Jesus did not explicitly state that He would destroy the temple, He did predict its destruction in Matthew 24:1-2. Jesus was referring to the destruction of the physical temple in Jerusalem, which occurred in AD 70, about 40 years after His death and resurrection. However, Jesus’ focus was not on the physical temple but on the spiritual significance of His own body as the true temple of God (John 2:19-21).

Jesus and the customs:The accusation also claimed that Jesus would change the customs delivered by Moses. Jesus’ ministry did indeed bring a new understanding and fulfillment of the Mosaic law. He emphasized the heart behind the law, teaching that love for God and love for others were the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:36-40). Jesus also introduced new teachings, such as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), which expanded upon the Mosaic law and emphasized personal righteousness and the kingdom of God.

Stephen’s defense:In the following chapters of Acts (Acts 7), Stephen presents a detailed defense of his faith, tracing the history of Israel and showing how God’s plan of salvation culminated in Jesus. This defense ultimately leads to Stephen’s martyrdom and serves as a powerful testimony to his commitment to the truth.

In conclusion, Acts 6:14 records a false accusation against Stephen, claiming that he said Jesus would destroy the temple and change the customs given by Moses. While there were elements of truth in terms of the changes brought by Jesus’ ministry, the specific accusation was distorted and misrepresentative of Stephen’s teachings. This incident serves as an example of the opposition faced by early Christians and highlights the importance of understanding the context and intent behind accusations and teachings.