The Book of Acts: Discipleship in Action Pt. 22 Take a Stand for Jesus Christ, No Matter the Cost!

We ended the account of what happened after the church dealt with the sin of Ananias and Sapphira. God's blessing once again was poured out and great numbers of people were born again. There is little doubt that the number of new believers in Christ had surpassed 10,000 by this point in time.

God's mighty works continued.

Acts 5:14-16  And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 15) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16) There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. 

We are going to see that another harsh reaction from the high priest, the Sadducees and Sanhedrin was forthcoming.

The religious leaders were driven by hate and jealousy.

Acts 5:17-18  Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18) And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 

The high priest rose up to initiate a malicious dispute with the Apostles. The same hatred they demonstrated toward Jesus Christ was now being directed toward His apostles. They were filled with indignation which is a fierceness and punitive zeal based upon envy and contentious rivalry, or jealousy.

They "laid" their hands on them which is that sudden rush of destructive power like waves crashing into a boat. It was used of guards seizing a common prisoner and roughly throwing him into jail.

This was no social call. They were angry because the name of Jesus Christ was being magnified and they were jealous because the early church was experiencing tremendous growth apart from stifling Judaism.

God disrupted their evil plans.

Acts 5:19-20  But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20) Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 

God had other plans and He thwarted their evil intentions. The angel of the Lord came at night and opened the prison doors and He brought them out of the prison confines. 

Preach the words of life

John 6:68  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

The angel of the Lord gave the apostles a clear command. Go stand in the temple and speak the words of life. This connects to Peter's answer to the Lord when he asked Peter if he was also going to desert Him. Peter rightly recognized that only the Son of God, Jesus Christ, had the words of life that could save souls from hell and eternal condemnation.

Peter and John had just been in the temple area when they were arrested with harsh force. Now, they were freed and told to go right back to the same place and preach again. 

Prompt obedience honors the Father

Acts 5:21  And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 

Peter, John and any others with them obeyed the command from God. They headed into the temple early in the morning. They began teaching truth from God. 

However, the high priest and the council came together ready to take vengeance upon Peter and John. They sent the temple guards to bring them out to the council.

Consternation of chief priests and rulers

Acts 5:22-24  But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23) Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24) Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. 

The guards returned to the high priest and reported that the doors of the prison were securely locked up and that prison guards were stationed on duty outside their cell. Imagine their surprise when they opened the doors and did not find Peter and John inside!

The minds of the high priest, captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were filled with doubt and consternation. They were at a loss to explain how such a thing could happen. They were concerned that the Christian faith would continue to grow vigorously. 

God held them in derision!

Acts 5:25-26  Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26) Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. 

Soon, someone came to tell the high priest that Peter and John were standing in the temple preaching the words of life.

This time the captain and officers were very careful in arresting Peter and John. All the people were responding to the preaching of God's word and to the mighty miracles they saw. 

Thus, the captain and guards feared that they would be stoned if they were too aggressive. Perhaps they feared a similar fate by remembering that the prophet Elijah called down fire from heaven to destroy two companies of soldiers.

Psalm 2:1-4  Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3) Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4)  He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 

This text from Psalms looks forward to the final judgment and the Day of the LORD. However, the expressions of God bringing the plans of the wicked to nothing is something we see in each generation. 

The chief priests and religious rulers plotted to silence the apostle's testimony of Jesus Christ. God's response? He laughed at their feeble plans. He had them in derision which means mocking and ridiculing their evil ways. He is omnipotent and no plan of man can stand against the power of God. 

Council charged them with teaching in Jesus name.

Acts 5:27-28  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28) Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

A second time Peter and John were summoned to appear before the Sanhedrin. The high priest said "Didn't we give you strict orders not to teach in "this name?" He refused to speak the name that is above all other names, Jesus Christ. 

"Did not we command you?" Yes, they did; but at the same time they did this, Peter told them that God's authority was superior to theirs, and Christ's commands override man's dictates.  

He acknowledged that the teaching of the apostles and the mighty ministry of the Holy Spirit was very fruitful. All Jerusalem was filled with the truth of apostolic teaching. The high priest rightly said that Peter and John intended to show that the Jewish religious leaders were guilty of the death of Jesus Christ. 

Fearless pledge to obey God not man

Acts 5:29-32  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31)  Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32) And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 

There was no hesitation on Peter's part to reply to a murderous council. He was filled by the Spirit of God as Jesus promised during times like these and he bluntly said "We ought to obey God not man!"

Peter and the other apostles all spoke with one voice as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance. They depended upon the promise Jesus had made that when they were brought before councils, the words to speak would be given them in that same hour.

God commanded them to teach in the name of Christ, and they were compelled to do so even though the chief priests forbid them. 

Then Peter turned the tables and prosecuted them by indicting them for killing their own Messiah. God, speaking through Peter, was not going to let them cover up the murder of His Son. Nor would He let them escape the consequences of their sin.

Peter also preached the good news of Christ's resurrection from the dead which angered the Sadducees who did not believe in any resurrection. Peter made it clear that repentant faith leads to forgiveness of sins. This attacked the heart of Judaism which focused on doing external works. 

Repentance and remission go together. Wherever repentance is wrought, remission is granted, and grace is given to all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

On the other hand, there is no remission of sin without true repentance.

The apostle made it plain that they were God's ordained witnesses and that the Holy Ghost is given to all who obey God. 

All the rulers plotted to murder the disciples of Christ. 

Acts 5:33  When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 

Did they take heed to Peter's preaching? Would they repent? No, they were cut to the heart by guilt and shame. The word "cut" means to be sawn in half. Instead of repentance they plotted to kill them.

Acts 5:34-35  Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35) And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

Acts 5:38-39  And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39) But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 

A Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up. The Pharisees were religious conservatives who did believe in the resurrection but taught that you are right with God by observing man made rules. Gamaliel advised the Sanhedrin to act rashly concerning these men. 

Instead, Gamaliel said that if this work was of men it would come to nothing but if it was truly of God, then they could do nothing against it. It would be folly to fight against what God is doing.

Apostles were beaten yet rejoicing in the name of Jesus Christ. 

Acts 5:40-41  And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41) And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 

The council agreed with what Gamaliel said and they called the apostles back in front of the council. They violated the law of God by having the apostles beaten (Exodus21:20; Deuteronomy 19:11). Again, they gave the apostles strict commands that they no longer speak in the name of Jesus. 

What happened to Peter and the others after they were admonished and beaten? They rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer for His name. 

Jesus Christ was preached in the temple and in homes.

Act 5:42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. 

The apostles continued teaching in the temple each day and in every house teaching and preaching Jesus Christ. The name that is above all names is lifted up. God was saving more people each day. The Spirit of God and the Word of God was making major inroads into Judaism's stronghold. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

First, the mighty works of God continue unabated even though we may think that God is done with America. He will judge us for our sins and He will bring down any nation that turns its back on Him. Yet, even in judgment God is working, seeking to save lost souls and to call the backslidden back to Himself. 

Second, when we seek to clearly and accurately teach the scriptures from the pulpit, the kitchen table to our families or in the backyard with our neighbors or co-workers, we can expect some opposition. In this case it was the religious rulers who opposed the gospel. 

Third, men will threaten those who preach the gospel of Christ. It does not matter if we serve as a pastor, parent parishioner, missionary, or layperson, we take our orders from God not man. We are committed to obey God whenever men's dictates contradict what God commands. 

No matter if we are reviled or persecuted, we can rejoice because Jesus suffered and we will suffer. We must be loyal to our Lord and follow Him no matter the cost. 

I pray that God will equip us to be His faithful soldiers who put on the armor of God and stand against His enemies. May we be more determined than ever to live for His glory.

Bob