June 8, 2014
Morning Service

Acts 5:17-42

 

            Dr. Luke, the gentile, wrote this book to Theophilus, around 62AD.  This would have been 29 years after the resurrection of the Lord.  We see now after 3 sermons, from Peter, that the disciples are referred to as multitudes in number.  It appears, that they are beginning to show great allegiance to the Apostles.  They are doing things, such as, selling their possessions, and giving the money to the Apostles for distribution to those in need.  We would consider such actions as cultic, and similar to Socialistic practices. 

            Peter has taken his place as the chief speaker, and leader.  Jesus gave him the authority to speak in His name, and take this good news gospel to the Jews.  We will find later on that Jesus chooses Saul of Tarsus to take this gospel to the gentiles.  Peter will open the door, and Saul of Tarsus, later to be known as Paul the Apostle, will continue working with the gentiles.

            Last Sunday evening Greg shared with us the story of Ananias, and Sapphira.  The lesson being we cannot lie to God and expect to get away with it.  They were punished with death, and this did exactly what God wanted to happen, great fear came on all the believers.  God began working healing miracles through the Apostles, and all that were sick came, and was healed. 

We will continue in chapter 5 of Acts beginning with verse 17.      

 

Act 5:17-42  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,

·         Attitude, it is everything.  But the Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection, and this is the main point in Peter’s sermons.

·         An angel of the Lord.  Heb 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.   The Hebrew writer is referring to the time when Abraham entertained the Lord, and two angels, before destroying Sodom, and Gomorrah.

So the angel 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.

·         Entered into the temple.  This place is for Judaism, not this new teaching.  And especially not in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

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. 

·         It has already began, we are talking multitudes already are following this teaching.

(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. 

·         The thing that is amazing is that these men have already been referred to as ignorant, and unlearned.  Yet here they are captivating these men in the temple with their speech.

(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. 

·         Yes, this is exactly what is happening.

 

 

 

(29)  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 

·         Obeying God does not mean walking in rebellion to the laws of the land.  We are taught as disciples to be under subjection to the rulers of the land. 

·         But these men are obeying the Lord in what they are doing.  Yes, they are disobeying the Jewish leaders, but they are not in control of the land, the Romans are.

·         These religious leaders should understand that God is moving in a mighty way, and that change is happening.

Now Peter speaks again:

(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. 

·         Again Peter places the guilt of killing God’s Christ directly on these leaders.

·         And notice also, God gives the Holy Ghost to them that obey Him.

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

·         On the day of Pentecost when Peter preached his first sermon the question was ask, “men, and brethren what shall we do?”   When these men felt this guilt from killing Jesus, their attitude is let’s kill them.  

(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; 

·         Gamaliel - This name was very common among the Jews. some say that this man was the teacher of Paul Act_22:3, the son of the “Simon” who took the Saviour in his arms Luke 2, and was known among the Jews by the title of “Rabban Gamaliel the elder.”

(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 nought.  (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.  (40)  And to him they agreed:

·         Good counseling.  They are expecting this teaching to go nowhere, and that it will soon go away.

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.

·         No doubt ringing in the Apostles ears is what Jesus said concerning not fearing man.  “Fear not man who is able to destroy the body, but fear God who is able to destroy both body, and soul in hell fire.”

Onward with the message.  What is there to fail in a message that has;  eternal life promised, unconditional love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace?  What is there to not like? 

The Apostle’s determination is to continue obeying God.

 

Almighty God, help us to walk in obedience to Your Word, that we might be filled with Your Spirit.