Cooler Heads Prevail

Going back to v. 29 for context

Cooler Heads Prevailed, an idiom that indicates de-escalation of of a tense situation

Ref: incident at Ganienkeh; March, 1990, Mohawk nation fired on a Vt. National Guard helicopter

A plan was being made to invade the reservation, but...”cooler heads prevailed”

…and we went home

We’ve seen the situation in Acts escalating to a point of high tension, murder was in the air

The Apostles stood firm on God’s command

The high council of the Jews was melting down

They’d been shown the contrast

You killed Jesus; God raised Jesus

You rejected Him; God exalted Him

Unspoken; but easily seen

You offer hatred; God offers love

You think you have power, God actually does

We look this morning at enraged me, a wise man and God’s men

Enraged Men React

The council—Sanhedrin—was the ruling council of the Jewish nation

A government of the day to day lives of the Jews, withing the overarching authority of the power of Rome

Historically, no one would dare stand up to them

But along came these Apostles

Threats didn’t silence them

Prison didn’t hold them

The masses were turning to follow them and their new teaching

Weakening the authority of the council

Jealousy had—as is often the case—turned to murderous intent

Now they were after blood

A Wise Man Speaks

Enter Gamaliel

The same Gamaliel under whom Paul was educated

His advice began with a history lesson

Theudas—likely an unknown incident, the known Theudas (c. 45 AD, Josephus) doesn’t fit the timeline Gamaliel gives—before Judas

However, Josephus also tells (Antiquities) that there ten thousand disorders in Judea, upon the death of Herod the Great--

This Theudas, otherwise unknown, probably revolted around 4 BC

Judas—c. AD 6

We should take note that there have been, and will be charismatic religious/political leaders who will rise up and disappear—Jesus, the humble servant leader, appeared, changed the world, and still changes lives!

An Interesting Observation

If this is of man; it will fail

If of God; you will fail and my be found to be opposing God

Was he open to this whole thing being of God? …or was he just hedging his bets?

Gamaliel’s advice—sit back and observe--moderated the intent of the council

It opened the door for the council to reconsider, which they did…sorta, kinda...

They wanted to kill the Apostles, but they “merely” beat them and directed them not to speak again in the name of Jesus---yeah…that worked before!

Most likely 39 lashes

Comment a couple weeks back about repeating the same behavior, expecting a different result

God’s Men Respond

Despite the beating and the additional warning...

Rejoiced (Not going to chase the cool word-nerd stuff here)

That they were counted worthy

To suffer dishonor

For the sake of the Name

Perfect example of Jesus instructions in the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:10–12 ESV

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Maybe these words were a conscious part of the reason for rejoicing—Jesus had been talking about them when he’d spoken them

Every day

In the temple

And from house to house

They did not cease teaching and preaching (the Gospel)

That Christ is Jesus

WITFM?

The Lessons from the Enraged Men

People will act hatefully toward believers

As mentioned before, based upon emotion, not facts, logic will not be a part of the equation

Hopefully not always, but it has happened, does happen and will continue to happen

In February 1979, on the second anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Janani Luwum of Uganda: ‘Without bleeding the church fails to bless.’ Persecution will refine the church, but not destroy it. If it leads to prayer and praise, to an acknowledgment of the sovereignty of God and of solidarity with Christ in his sufferings, then—however painful—it may even be welcome.

John R. W. Stott, The Message of Acts: The Spirit, the Church & the World, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994), 119.

The Lesson from the Wise Man

When a “new thing” a fabulous new preacher, a slight twist in theology…comes on the scene and we are not sure whether it’s real or not,

First, run it through the filter of Scripture—we may find nothing overtly non-biblical

Then, sit back and see if lasts (e.g., recent Asbury Revival—) It may take years to prove it out...

It’s taken years to prove out the Chuck Smith’s Jesus movement was real

Sometimes, wise people will be sitting back, waiting, observing to see what you’re all about

Are you real? Is the faith you speak a faith that will stand up to persecution—even just a harsh comment from a coworker/neighbor?

Is your “conversion” the religion you’re talking about real?

How do you handle the stresses in your life? Coming apart at the seems, or dealing with it because you trust God to get you through it?

The Lesson from God’s Men

Despite the beatings and the threats, the Apostles kept on doing what they’d been doing

Still in the temple

…and in the homes

They continued to preach that name which the council hated so Christ Jesus

Title/name: the anointed one, Jesus

That was the command of the angel to “speak all the words of life”

Jesus warned us in the Beatitudes; Peter warns us in 1 Pe 4 12

1 Peter 4:12 ESV

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Persecution was rampant in the Roman Empire

One of the first witnesses to the Christians which we have in secular writing, is found in the second century correspondence between Pliny the Younger and the Emperor Trajan, who ruled from 98-117. This correspondence reveals that Christianity was indeed proscribed, and that though Christians should not be sought out and were innocent of the gross charges against them, such as the sacrifice of children and the eating of human flesh (a misunderstanding of the Eucharist which was conducted in “secret meetings”), the Christians nevertheless were to be executed if, when seized, they refused to give up their faith.

Martyrs of the 2nd, 3rd and early 4th century are virtually without number

Men like Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, Justin Martyr, countless more, unknown and unnamed

https://www2.cbn.com/article/not-selected/second-century-persecution-and-faith

…and the church continued

In February 1979, on the second anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Janani Luwum of Uganda: ‘Without bleeding the church fails to bless.’ Persecution will refine the church, but not destroy it. If it leads to prayer and praise, to an acknowledgment of the sovereignty of God and of solidarity with Christ in his sufferings, then—however painful—it may even be welcome.

John R. W. Stott, The Message of Acts: The Spirit, the Church & the World, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994), 119.

We know the church is thriving where every attempt has been made to kill it

China, N. Korea…and here, were oppression is limited largely to harsh words, it’s faltering

The UN estimates 200K-400K Christians; others estimate many hundreds of thousands

Organizations like VOM has story after story

I’m not telling you to pray for oppression—I am telling you to pray for the oppressed, and to pray that we will stand strong if/when it comes our way—whether locally, nationally, globally

The Apostles stood strong because of their sure faith

Our oppressed brothers and sisters stand strong because of their sure faith

Do we, can we, will we stand strong…is our faith that sure?