The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

44 Our fathers had the testimony of witness in the wilderness, like as he had appointed speaking to Moses, that he should make it according to the form which he had seen. 45 Which tabernacle our fathers which succeeded, brought with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, which God drave out before the face of our fathers, until the days of David. 46 Who found favour before God: and desired that he might find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. ⟨p. 167⟩47 But Solomon built him an house. 48 But the most highest dwelleth not in temples made with hands: as the Prophet saith, 49 Heaven is my seat, and the earth is my footstool. What house will ye build for me? saith the Lord: or what place is it that I should rest in? 50 Hath not my hand made all these things.

44 Our fathers had the testimonie of witnesse in the wildernesse, like as he had appointed speaking to Moses, that he should make it according to the forme which he had seene. 45 Which tabernacle our fathers which succeeded, brought with Iesus into the possession of the Gentiles, which God draue out before the face of our fathers, vntil the dayes of Dauid. 46 Who found fauour before God: and desired that he might finde a tabernacle for the God of Iacob. ⟨p. 167⟩47 But Solomon built him an house. 48 But the most highest dwelleth not in temples made with hands: as the Prophet saith, 49 Heauen is my seate, and the earth is my footestoole. What house will yee builde for me? saith the Lorde: or what place is it that I shoulde rest in? 50 Hath not my hand made all these things.

44 The Tabernacle of witness. Stephen showeth here that the blame cannot be laid upon God, because the Jews polluted themselves with divers superstitions, as if God had suffered them to wander freely. For he saith that God had commanded how he would be worshipped by them. Whereupon it followeth that they were entangled in so many errors, because they would not follow that form which God had appointed. Although he girdeth them for two causes: Because being not content with that rule alone which God had prescribed, they invented to themselves strange worships: secondly because they had no respect unto the right end of the temple, and of the ceremonies which God had appointed. For whereas they ought to have ben unto them exercises of the spiritual worship, they apprehended nothing but that which was carnal, according to their carnal nature, that is, they took the shadow for the body.