Definition: 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:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 7:38. It’s a really important part of understanding how Jesus is connected to the early church. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that Jesus is the same person who spoke to Moses and Elijah in the Sinai Mountain. Here’s a breakdown of each phrase: “This is he…” – This refers to Jesus himself. It’s emphasizing that this is the Jesus we’re talking about. “…that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina…” - This tells us that Jesus was in a meeting of Jewish believers (a “church”) located in the area around the Mount Sinai, where Moses and Elijah were also present. They were having a conversation together. “and [with] our fathers:” – This is a very significant part. "Our fathers" refers to the original twelve apostles – those first leaders of Jesus’s followers. It’s saying that Jesus was the same person as Moses and Elijah, who were also important figures in the early church. Putting it all together: The verse essentially says: Jesus is the same person who spoke to Moses and Elijah, and these two figures are still part of the original group of believers who received divine messages. It’s a foundational statement about Jesus' identity and connection to the beginning of Christianity. Why is this important? It shows that Jesus wasn't just a new prophet; he was already involved in the early beginnings of the Christian community and receiving divine instruction. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you a more detailed explanation of any particular part of this passage?