“This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:”
'You who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it' - Stephen indicts the Sanhedrin for receiving 'the law' (didachē) through angelic mediation but failing to obey it. The reference to angels reflects rabbinic tradition (cf. Galatians 3:19) that the Torah was mediated by angels. Possession of the law without obedience is the double condemnation: you have the word but reject it.
Church Fathers on Acts 7:38
This is he, that was in the Church in the wilderness with the Angel which spoke to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us. Acts 7:38 Again no mention of temple, none of sacrifice. With the Angel, it says, he received the lively oracles to give unto the fathers. It shows, that he not only wrought miracles, but also gave a law, as Christ did. Just as Christ first works miracles, and then legislates: so did Moses. But they…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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