Acts 7:38

“This is he that was in the church in the wilderness, etc.] Which must be understood of the children of Israel, who were the then church of God, whom he had chosen and separated from the rest of the world, to be a peculiar people to himself, to whom were given the word and ordinances, the service of God, and the promises; and God always had, and will have a church, though that is sometimes in the wilderness; which has been the case under the Gospel dispensation, as well as before; (<661206>Revelation 12:6,14) and it was a peculiar honour to Moses, that he was in this church, though it was in the wilderness; even a greater honour than to be in Pharaoh’s court. This has a particular respect to…”

“in the church--the collective body of God's chosen people; hence used to denote the whole body of the faithful under the Gospel, or particular sections of them. This is he that was in the church in the wilderness, with the angel . . . and with our fathers--alike near to the Angel of the Covenant, from whom he received all the institutions of the ancient economy, and to the people, to whom he faithfully reported the living oracles and among whom he set up the prescribed institutions. By this high testimony to Moses, Stephen rebuts the main charge for which he was on trial.”

“In the church - The word “church” means literally “the people called out,” and is applied with great propriety to the assembly or multitude called out of Egypt, and separated from the world. It has not, however, of necessity our idea of a church, but means the “assembly,” or people called out of Egypt and placed under the conduct of Moses. With the angel - In this place there is undoubted reference to the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. Yet that was done by God himself, Exodus 20:0: It is clear, therefore, that by “the angel” here, Stephen intends to designate him who was God. It may be observed, however, that “the Law” is represented as having been given by the ministry of an angel (in…”

“This is he - Moses. With the angel, and with our fathers - As a mediator between them. Who received the living oracles - Every period beginning with, And the Lord said unto Moses, is properly an oracle. But the oracles here intended are chiefly the ten commandments. These are termed living, because all the word of God, applied by his Spirit, is living and powerful, Heb 4:12, enlightening the eyes, rejoicing the heart, converting the soul, raising the dead. Exo 19:3. Acts 7:40”

“in the church: Exo 19:3-17, Exo 20:19, Exo 20:20; Num. 16:3-35, Num 16:41, Num 16:42 with the: Act 7:30, Act 7:35, Act 7:53; Isa 63:9; Gal 3:19; Heb 2:2 who: Exo 21:1-11; Deu 5:27-31, Deu 6:1-3, Deu 33:4; Neh 9:13, Neh 9:14; Joh 1:17 lively: Deu 30:19, Deu 30:20, Deu 32:46, Deu 32:47; Psa 78:5-9; Joh 6:63; Rom 3:2, Rom 9:4, Rom 10:6-10; Heb 5:12; Pe1 4:11 Acts 7:39”