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

59 next but rather emphasizes various points of Israel's history as they demonstrate his various points. In addition, the three themes are themselves inter-related. The Temple is not an independent institution but is given through Moses and much of the material concerning Moses really speaks to the theme of Jesus, the "prophet like me" whom God raised up (7 :37). Nevertheless we will attempt to summarize Stephen's message as he speaks to each of these issues. Stephen's words about the law. The accusations against Stephen are worded in such a way as to describe more than the Mosaic covenant in particular ("This man incessantly speaks against ... the Law" 6: 13), but also the revelation handed down through Moses ("alter the customs which Moses handed down to us"). The customs from Moses and the Law in particular were the things which constituted Israel a nation and set her apart from the ., nations. Thus, one's attitude toward the Law and the customs of Moses reflected one ' s attitude toward the nation and the Law defined the boundaries of those who desired to be in the nation . 33 This is why Stephen's first words concerning God ' s promi e of land to Abraham immediately address the accusation of his unfaithfulness to the Law . He look favorably on God 's call of Abraham and the tangible promise of land (7 :3) which define the territory of the nation . Although Abraham did not possess the land , God promi ed that hi off pring would inherit it a their own (7 :5) and would "serve Me in thi place" (7 :7), a lik l reference to the Temple. 34 tephen thu approve of God ' individual dealing ith th n ti n 33 f . the di cu i n on pro lyt and g d-£ arer n pag 0 . 34 t ph n m nd th w rd n in 11 jud wn " t .. ' But I ill jud e1 e It Tl e mm n o~ hip m in thi pla e'" pp r th t t ph n mt nd nc t th mpl in th :14 ' but I ill brin