Jesus Still Conquers His Persecutors
Acts 5:17-42
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
All of this resistence on the part of the Jewish leadership is related to their inability or lack of desire to recognize even the possibility that God has instituted a new covenant. Think of a covenant as the basis for a proper relationship with God. Keep the law vs. Follow Jesus. The moral law and what God expects from people in terms of their actions toward God Himself and their neighbors is basically the same. The Jewish leadership would argue points here: Definition of neighbor, what it means to love, serve and lead etc. But assuming that that part of the law remains the same, the rest of the law as it relates to God’s purposes for the Nation of Israel, the necessity of the temple and temple worship and sacrificial system is not a part of this new covenant. And as a part of this, the identity of the people of God is expanding. And here the Jewish leadership can’t let go. God has promised them victory over their enemies. This land is theirs etc.
In order for them to accept that a new covenant is coming, the Jewish leadership need to recognize Jesus’ true identity. He is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. They are stumbling over the rock of offense. Jesus is the stone that the builders rejected. He has become the chief stone upon which all of the new covenant is built. So, this is the basis for the conflict between the Jewish leaders and Jesus. They have arrested and murdered Jesus, although Jesus went with them willingly. And now they are ready to get after the Apostles in the same way! Their murder of Jesus didn’t work out for them. Neither will this round of persecution. And the Old Covenant is headed toward a catastrophic historical waterfall of rebellion and destruction.
- The Religious Leaders Hate the Apostles
- Sadducees are filled with jealousy
If you are not following God’s plan, then you are motivated by the fact that people honor and respect you.
These people are wealthy.
These people are politically connected.
These people are educated.
These people are religious liberals.
These people are respected, but not for whole Bible knowledge and not for spiritual power.
These people are losing their grip on the people! This can be a problem because you are concerned for the people, or this can be a problem because you are losing your position as authorities.
The Sadd’s can view themselves as protectors of the Jewish people because of their wealth and political connections.
- The Apostles are following Jesus
They are doing what Jesus has instructed them to do. They are doing what the Holy Spirit has empowered them to do. They are telling what they know and have personally experienced. And their motivation comes from Jesus and the Holy Spirit directly.
They are not wealthy.
They are not politically connected.
They are not classically educated.
They are neither liberal like the Sadducees, nor conservative like the Pharisees. They are following Jesus. And Jesus calls both liberals and conservatives to follow Him!
They are doing incredible miracles and they are seeing explosive growth in the early church. And they are encountering resistance from these same people who resisted and then arrested secretly at night and then killed Jesus. All of which was done against the teaching in their law.
They are experiencing miraculous deliverance from jail and also direct instruction from God through angels.
They will submit to God first, not these men.
- The religious leaders will act to protect their power
Sacrifices of people will be made in order to protect the temple and the nation!
John 11: 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”
49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
(A very strong enemy can unite divided people in a common defense.)
John 18: 12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
So, this is why the religious leaders hate the Apostles. Secondly…
- God is at Work in the Apostles!
What gives confidence when difficult circumstances arrive in an unexpected manner?
- Being arrested is a challenge
But remember, Jesus warned them this would be happening!
Matthew 10: 16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Angels demonstrate God’s power
It’s hard to argue against the idea that God is on the side of the Apostles, even though they are in jail. Does God always intervene? In my experience I would say, “Yes.” It doesn’t always look the same, but God acts.
Romans 8: 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
I Peter 4: 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
- God gives them important instructions
They have information that other people do not have. They are eyewitnesses to what Jesus has done to prove that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. They are eyewitnesses to His Resurrection. And it is their job to: 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
And so, there is a place of dispute here. The two sides are set in their ways. They both understand each other and will not change.
- Here is the Gospel for the Leaders
Verses 29-32
- They are opposing God’s new covenant
*Jesus’ death and Resurrection was God’s plan all along.
*It’s not good that they murdered the Messiah, God’s only Son.
*Jesus is not around for them to see because He has ascended to heaven and is at God’s right hand. Ultimate authority belongs to Jesus.
* Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit. They can see the impact of the Spirit’s work. One obvious sign is their boldness to speak in Jesus’ name. They are calling people to submit to Jesus’ teaching.
- The purpose of Jesus’ ministry
31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.
Repentance: Their behavior is good in many respects. But with reference to the purposes of God for the temple and the Jewish nation. These two aspects of the Jewish law are fulfilled by Jesus! They are called to change, and accept Jesus as the one who establishes a new covenant with God. If you sins are forgiven, why would you need to sacrifice. If you are called by God to worship Him in spirit and truth, then whether you are in Jerusalem or on a mountain in Samaria doesn’t matter. Both are fine. And if those old sacrifices don’t remove sin, why keep doing them? And since the glory of God now inhabits people in the person of the Holy Spirit, why do you need an external place, the temple, where you would go to meet God?
- The Jewish leaders fail over and over again
These same folks arrested Jesus and put Him to death. They did this to eliminate the movement. How is that working for them? And yet, here we are still, a couple of months or so later. And they are following the same game plan. Arrest and murder for the purposes or protecting their own reputation and authority. They want to stop the movement.
The folks who want to kill will get their way in one more chapter. And the result will be that the movement will spread and grow. The main person behind the persecution in Acts 7 will become the first and best missionary of the church.
And the Jewish leaders will go right on being concerned about the temple and the nation. They are right to be concerned. Their very actions are in fact in opposition to God. And they will not save the temple, they will be the source of its destruction. And they will not save the nation, although they have 18 months of pretty good success in the late 60’s AD. And then the Romans come. And then Matthew 24 is lived out:
15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’[a] spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[e] is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
0 Comments