May 2, 2010
Evening Service

Acts 5:12-42

 

Review:

1.      We are seeing some exciting, and fearful things happening in the early church, but maybe none so frightening as what has just happened to Ananias, and his wife Sapphira.

2.      Two things, number one don’t lie to God, and number two this accomplished what it was supposed too.  Vs. 11:  So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

3.      We are looking at around 8,000 people now in the church, that’s a lot of people.  Of the first 3,000 on the day of Pentecost, many of them have gone back to their homelands, and are spreading the good news there.  Many are still at Jerusalem with the Apostles.

 

Let’s finish chapter 5 this evening.

THE APOSTLES MIRACLES AND SIGNS.

Act 5:12-42  And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.  (13)  And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 

• Mar 16:15-18  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  (16)  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  (17)  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  (18)  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

• Jesus said, Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

• Here we see the beginning of fulfillment of these statements by Jesus.
• How often have we seen the statement ( in one accord )?
• Now people are standoffish.  Not sure what is going on.  Only marveling at what is happening.

(14)  And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 

• When you see it with your own eyes, you can’t deny it.  Some will refuse it, but others will accept it.

(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. 

• And greater things than this shall you do, because I go to the Father.

(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.

• There is no more satisfying experience than to see someone delivered from demon possession.   To be made whole, and in their right mind.  Starting a life of servitude to God.

APOSTLES MIRACUOUSLY FREED FROM PRISON.

(17)  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.  (19)  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.  (21)  And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught.

• If God be for us, who can be against us?  Don’t you know they went with all confidence.  A boldness that excels all imagination.

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.  (22)  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.  (25)  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.  (27)  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. 

APOSTLES PREACH TO THE COUNCIL.

(29)  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 Savior, 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.

• Peter no doubt the leading speaker.
• Notice the content of his answer; 

1. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,
2. whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.  (31) 
3. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior,
4. for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 
5. (32)  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost,
6. whom God hath given to them that obey him.

• God still gives the Holy Ghost to those willing to obey Him, and for the same purposes.

GAMILIEL’S ADVICE.

(33)  When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 

• Attitude is everything.  Do you see the difference in these people’s attitude than the others that we have seen.  They accepted the truth, and repented, these accept the truth, and want to kill the Apostles.

(34)  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.  (36)  For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to naught.  (37)  After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.  (38)  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.

• Gamaliel – this is some of the most sensible council that has been given to these religious leaders so far.  This Gamaliel is also the same Gamaliel that Paul sat at the feet to learn what he did concerning the Jewish religion.  A Pharisee.  Act 22:3  I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

APOSTLES ARE BEATEN.

(40)  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.  (42)  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

• The Apostles are commanded not to speak, and teach in the Name of Jesus.
• Now they need to expect more persecution because they are not going to cease preaching, and teaching in the Name of Jesus.
• Notice, daily in the temple, this is the very hot bed of trouble.  It would be like you walking into a Muslim Mosque, and telling them that they were wrong in their belief.  You can be you would be thrown out on your ear, or even worse.

 

So far the Lord has protected them, but this won’t last for long. 

 

My prayer would be:  Lord grant unto your modern day disciples the power, and boldness to witness for you, with wisdom, and knowledge, bringing only honor and glory to Your holy name.