ACC ~ Acts 7 v42

SACRIFICES NOT NECESSARY. CHRYSOSTOM: “But God turned and gave them over to worship the host of heaven.” From here come these customs and from here the sacrifices. They themselves were the first to offer sacrifices to the idols. For it is noted that they made a bull calf in Horeb and “offered sacrifices to the idol,” since previously “sacrifices” is nowhere mentioned, only “statutes of life” and “words of life.” “And they rejoiced,” it says, and so the reason for the feasts.”As it is written in the book of the prophets.” Notice he does not cite the text without a purpose but shows that there is no need of sacrifices. “Did you offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices? …” He speaks emphatically. “You cannot say,” he says, “that it was from sacrificing to me that you proceeded to sacrifice to them.” And this in the desert, where he had especially shown himself their champion. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 17.

GOD ACCEPTS THE OFFERER’S WILL. BEDE: Although they may have made offerings to the Lord because of the necessity of offering him service, it is nevertheless true to say that their minds were turned aside to the service of idols “from the time when they had transformed gold into the head of a calf.” “For the things we read they afterwards offered to God they did not offer of their own free will, but,” as we learn from this passage, “they made them out of fear of punishment and because of the slaying of those who fell on account of the idols.” “The Lord, however, does not accept the things offered but the wills of those making the offering. Besides, whenever there was an opportunity they returned in their hearts to Egypt.”COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 7.42.

Acts