But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with human hands; as the prophet (Isaiah) says, ‘Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will You build for Me, says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest? Did not My Hand make all these things?’ Acts 7:47-50

With the power of the Holy Spirit and the face of an angel Stephen points out that the Prophets have tutored that God dwells within our hearts, our souls, and is the center of our being. The Holy Presence of God is within believers through Jesus Christ. God Most Holy originated the news that He does not require a temple building in which to reside (Isaiah 66:1-2).

What does Almighty God want? Jesus tells us that our Heavenly Father wants our Holy Spirit-circumcised hearts and ears, our humbled lives, heartfelt obedience, and desires believers love Him dearly. Stephen is one of the best examples in Scripture of a bold response to what our Heavenly Father wants. He gives himself fully to the Holy Spirit and so much so that he appears to be all of Jesus Christ standing before the council speaking.

It is interesting that the Spirit takes the peaks of the council member’s historical memories yet does this not to give a timeline as such, but rather shows these men before Stephen that their habit has been to turn away from Almighty God and refuse to follow. They have killed the Prophets whom God’s Handiwork directed. They have killed the Author of Salvation Jesus Christ who offered love, mercy, justice, and uncomplicated redemption