Acts 7:38

In Acts 7:38, Stephen, in his impassioned defense before the Sanhedrin, continues his historical recounting of Israel's journey, highlighting the pivotal role of Moses. This verse underscores Moses' unique position as the mediator of God's divine revelation to the people of Israel during their wilderness wanderings.

Historical and Cultural Context

Stephen's address in Acts 7 is a comprehensive overview of Israel's history, designed to demonstrate God's consistent presence and interaction with His people, while also subtly critiquing the Jewish leaders' resistance to God's chosen messengers, culminating in their rejection of Jesus. Here, Stephen refers to Moses as the one who was "in the church in the wilderness." This refers to the assembly, or ekklēsia (the Greek word often translated as "church" in the New Testament), of Israel during the Exodus from Egypt. This vast congregation, numbering potentially millions, was God's chosen people, journeying under His direct guidance. The setting is Mount Sinai, where God delivered the Law to Moses, often through the mediation of an angel, as referenced in other scriptures (see Galatians 3:19).

Key Themes and Messages

• Moses' Mediatorial Role: The verse emphasizes Moses' unique and indispensable position as the one chosen by God to receive and transmit His Law to the Israelite nation. He stood between God and the people, a crucial figure in God's covenant relationship with Israel.
• Divine Origin of the Law: The phrase "the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina" highlights that the Law was not a human invention but a direct divine revelation, given with heavenly authority.
• The "Church in the Wilderness": Stephen uses ekklēsia, a term typically used for the New Testament church, to describe the assembly of Israel in the wilderness. This suggests a continuity in God's people across dispensations, emphasizing that God has always had a chosen assembly.
• The Enduring Power of God's Word: The "lively oracles" signify that God's words are not dead letters but are living, active, and life-giving. They possess inherent power and relevance for all generations, designed to guide and sustain God's people.

Linguistic Insights

The term "church" in "church in the wilderness" comes from the Greek word ekklēsia (ἐκκλησία), which literally means "an assembly" or "a called-out company." Stephen's use of this term for the Israelite congregation in the wilderness underscores the continuity between God's Old Testament people and the New Testament body of believers. The phrase "lively oracles" translates the Greek logia zōnta (λόγια ζῶντα). Logia refers to divine utterances or pronouncements, and zōnta means "living" or "active." This stresses that the Law given to Moses was not merely a set of rules but a dynamic, life-imparting word from God, contrasting with dead idols or human philosophies. This concept resonates with the description of God's word as living and powerful.

Practical Application

Acts 7:38 reminds us of the profound value and divine origin of God's Word. Just as Moses received the "lively oracles" for the benefit of Israel, so too have we received the complete revelation of God in the Scriptures. This verse encourages us to:

• Value God's Word: Recognize the Scriptures as divine, active, and life-giving, not merely historical texts. They are meant to transform and guide our lives.
• Transmit Truth: Understand our responsibility to preserve and pass on the truths of God's Word to future generations, just as Moses passed them to "us."
• Acknowledge God's Presence: Reflect on God's continuous presence with His people throughout history, from the wilderness assembly to the church today. God's faithfulness endures.

Stephen's focus on Moses' faithful reception and transmission of God's commands serves as a powerful contrast to the Sanhedrin's rejection of God's ultimate messenger, Jesus Christ, who embodies the living Word itself.