The Rejected Redeemer Pt. 3
Stephen continues to indict the Priests on account of their rejection of Christ, showing Moses as a historical example of Israel’s turning in their hearts away from God’s given deliver, and turning to other idols, continuing in the outward forms of worship God gave them, though denying them in their hearts. We see that external appearance alone does not make for right worship, but the importance of both orthopraxy and orthopathy in worship, through both right God-ordained forms, and right affections of the heart, drawing near to God through Christ.
Acts 7:36-43 “This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices, during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship, and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’
Series: Acts: Christ’s Church Built
Speaker: Samuel Wente