The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

57 The idea however that God's activity outside the land of Palestine should be a clue that God's program has now become universal is problematic for several reasons. Although much of Israel's history as recited by Stephen occurs outside of Palestine, it is clear that the goal of that movement is toward the land. Abraham only leaves his home because he is promised a land of his own (7:3). Although he possessed none of it, the same land is promised to his offspring (7:5). The goal of the Exodus as stated by Stephen is that the nation "would come out and serve Me in this place," a reference to Jerusalem and the Temple (7:7), and Israel 's entrance into the land is accompanied by a "dispossessing of the nations " (7:45). It is true that Israel is a nation on the move, but that movement comes to an end with the conquest of her enemies and rest in Canaan. Rather than simple movement outside the land , the theme is progression toward the land. It is the fulfillment1 9 of what was promised which is stressed. If a theme of universalism exists in Stephen's speech it cannot be found in the geographical ~ movements of Israel's history. 30 A defense and refutation of the charges A better understanding of Stephen's speech may be that Stephen is actuall answering 31 the charges levelled toward him. In reality, as Stephen refutes the charge again t 29 L. D . Hurst , The Epistle to the Hebrews : Its Background of Thought. Societ for ew Testament tudies Monograph Series 65 (Cambridge: Cambridge Univer it Pre , 1989), 99. God' program ha not changed according to tephen. I rael' po e ion of th land and worship at the Temple are pr f f God' faithfulne to hi promi e . 30 With the tated theme of movement in Act 1: 8 it might be a to impo e thi theme of movement outward from the land onto tephen , but we mu t be ar ful to 1 t tephen peak or him elf. Within the confine of t phen' pee h he ee th g al a b ing m th Ian , not moving from it. 31 Wh t Lu e ha pr er ed for u r rd f th m g hi h led to t ph n' rr t. N ith r i it n ril a r t pt 1 pr hing . In re lit tephen 1 n t p e her or pr 1 im r li th p tl , ut rath r d b t r ( : ) . U ble omm nt , " n it i e ogniL d th t Luk i tingui h d t ph n fr m th p tl , 1t