Go, Stand, and Speak

Acts 5:12-42

Title is “Go, Stand, and Speak.”

Outline:

I. God’s People (Acts 5:12-16)

II. The Dragon Provoked (Acts 5:17-40)

III. Joyful Rebellion (Acts 5:41-42)

God’s People Delivered

Acts 5:12–16 (LSB)

Now at the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were happening among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people were holding them in high esteem. And more than ever believers in the Lord were added to their number, multitudes of men and women, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. Also the multitude from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

“Many signs and wonders” were happening “at the hands of the apostles.” This was the power of the Holy Spirit validating the authority of the New Covenant community leaders: the Apostles. He empowered their witness in Jerusalem. Acts 3-8 is the record of the Apostle’s witness in Jerusalem in obedience to the Great Commission. And you’ll remember the pattern:

Peter and John heal a lame man in Acts 3, the people believe, the religious leaders attack.

Here in Acts 5, the Apostles do “many signs and wonders…” and “…multitudes of men and women” are added to the church. The Old Covenant leaders attack.

The third instance is in Acts 6-8. Stephen does signs and wonders and he is arrested and ultimately stoned by the Old Covenant leaders.

Do you see the pattern? The Jews are doing as they have always done. These stories are meant to be read as a continuation of what has preceded them. There has been a recurring pattern of resistance and persecution of the prophets, and now of the Apostles. The people of God, the ones entrusted with the vineyard, are unfaithful. And despite multiple messengers sent by the owner of the vineyard, the vinedressers do not repent. And eventually, they are cut off and the vineyard is given to others who are more faithful.

Acts 7:51–53 (LSB)

“You men—stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears—are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. “And which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the Law as ordained by angels, and yet did not observe it.”

This pattern is continuing. Jesus commissioned these men to be His witness first to His people, Israel, who He was expecting to persecute them.

It is also similar to the Exodus pattern: God’s leader opposes the oppressor of God’s people who has them in bondage. In Exodus, that’s Pharoah, in Acts, that’s the Old Covenant leadership. Signs and wonders are done to demonstrate God’s authority, the Pharoah figures harden their hearts, eventually, they are destroyed, and God’s people are delivered.

Although, it is a reverse plague story: rather than bringing destruction and death on the enemies of God (which does come eventually in AD 70), these Moses figures bring life and healing, restoration to the people of God.

The response to these “signs and wonders” was “multitudes of men and women” being added to the church.

Interesting that “believers in the Lord” is associated with bringing sick into the streets for healing. They had such faith in the working of the Spirit through these men, that they thought, similarly to the woman with the disease of blood, “if I can only get into his shadow.” Or, “if I can only touch the hem of His garment.”

The influence of the Apostles is even stretching to “...the cities in the vicinity of jerusalem...”

Solomon’s Portico was a colonnade on the east side of the Temple. A colonnade is a row of columns that hold up a roof. This was a common meeting place for Rabbi’s and their disciples. And this is the same place that Peter and John healed the lame man in Acts 3:11.

Let’s stop and think about this for a moment: The early church was gathering at the corrupted, Old Covenant, Temple. It is being warned about coming judgment and the Old Covenant leadership, the Temple authorities, are stubbornly holding their ground. Yet, the early church did not shy away from meeting in that space.

They were being a visible and public witness.

They were colonizing the Judaic religion by the authority of Christ.

“But none of the rest dared to associate with them...”

This could be due to the fear associated with God dwelling with His people. They were afraid to die like Ananias and Sapphira.

Or it could be that they were afraid of the Jewish leadership, and we will soon see why.

Schreiner points out that “dared” is etolma in Greek and has a sense in which it means “to act rashly.” So, the people recognized that they would need to count the cost if they were going to join this community. Yet, they also seemingly recognized that the principles of this way of life were good, hence the community’s growing esteem in the eyes of the people.

Summary Statement of verses 12-16

We see in this passage that:

“…many signs and wonders...” were happening “at the hands of the apostles” who were meeting with their followers at the Temple. These Moses-figures are doing signs and wonders to deliver God’s people.

In response to this “multitudes of men and women” were being delivered by being added to the church.

The Apostle’s influence is extending as far as the “...the cities in the vicinity of jerusalem...”

There is a recognition that this community is serious because God dwells with them and joining is equivalent to flipping the bird to the Old Covenant leadership.

The Dragon Provoked

A miraculous rescue

Acts 5:17–24 (LSB)

But the high priest rose up and those with him (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, and taking them out, he said, “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest and those with him came, they called the Sanhedrin together, even all the Council of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the jailhouse for them to be brought. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported back, saying, “We found the jailhouse locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors, but we opened it and found no one inside.” Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this.

“filled with jealousy...” - I think that this implies the religious leaders knew that their esteem and position as leaders of the Temple was being transferred away. They, like Pharoah before them, were jealous of these people who could serve them rather than serve God.

“public jail” is referring to the jail for the public and does have a sense in which it means it was a public thing that was done. The Apostles are teaching publicly at the Temple, and the Temple authorities jail them publicly in response.

“…an angel of the Lord” - just as an angel was sent to lead out the children of Israel, so now an angel is sent to deliver the Apostles.

“…to the people in the temple...” - The angel commissions them again to teach the people in the temple. The Apostles are authorized by Jesus to teach the people. The religious establishment is meaningless in the face of the authority of the King of kings and Lord of lords. And these temple leaders, in the hardness of their hearts, do not recognize or acknowledge that they are resisting God himself.

“…greatly perplexed...” - they are baffled that these men are back where they started, and, more importantly, outside of the prison. Schreiner points out the irony of the Sadducees, who are basically the agnostics of their time, they would view themselves as the naturalists who denied the resurrection and the existence of angels, are baffled because they cannot fathom that an angel delivered these men.

Fighting the dragon

Acts 5:25–32 (LSB)

But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned). And when they had brought them, they stood them before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly commanded you not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging Him on a tree. This One God exalted to His right hand as a Leader and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God gave to those who obey Him.”

Acts 4:8–12 (LSB)

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, if we are being examined today for a good deed done to a sick man, as to how this man has been saved from his sickness, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:19–20 (LSB)

But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to hear you rather than God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

“…this man’s blood upon us.” If only they would bring “this man’s blood” upon them. The disdain of the leaders is apparent. They will not even name the name of Jesus. And yet, Jesus blood, which they state is their condemnation, might also be their salvation.

Peter says essentially the same things as he has already told these people. This statement, however, is uniquely Trinitarian:

God raised up Jesus and sent the Holy Spirit as a witness.

Some themes to note:

There is an emphasis on the rejection of the promised Messiah. The One whom the covenant God had promised.

There is an emphasis on the suffering of this Messiah. He was hanged “on a tree.” A cursed and shameful death.

The resurrection, ascension, and glorification of the Messiah and the salvation which He offers.

The signs and wonders as a witness to the truth of this, and performed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The dragon defeated

Acts 5:33–40 (LSB)

But when they heard this, they became furious and intended to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. “For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who were following him were dispersed and came to nothing. “After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all those who were following him were scattered. “So in the present case, I also say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or you may even be found fighting against God.” So they followed his advice. And after calling the apostles in and beating them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.

A few notes on Gamaliel:

He was a Pharisee, a teacher of the Law, and respected by all the people.

The son or grandson of Hillel. The founder of Pharisaic interpretation of the Law, known as the School of Hillel.

Interesting interpretations:

“The House of Shammai say, ‘In the evening everyone should recline in order to recite [the Shema] and in the morning they should stand, as it says [in the passage of the Shema], When you lie down and when you rise (Dt. 6:7).’ But the House of Hillel say, ‘Everyone may recite according to his own manner [either reclining or standing], as it says, And as you walk by the way.’ If it is so [that one may recite however he wishes] why does [the verse] say, When you lie down and when you rise? [It means you must recite the Shema] at the hour that people lie down [night] and at the hour that people rise [in the morning].” (Brian Baucom, “Hillel, School of,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary, Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

They had a series of exegetical rules that they would apply in their interpretation (which will be interesting for further study: what are the similarities and differences between the Hillel school of interpretation of the Law, Paul’s interpretation of the Law, and how we approach Biblical exegesis today?)

Paul learned at his feet (Acts 22:3).

Gamaliel mentions two examples:

Josephus says in his Jewish Antiquities that such men as mentioned by Gamaliel were revolutionaries and frauds. They would deceive the people into thinking they were prophets for the purpose of bringing about political change.

Theudas - According to Josephus (if he is talking about this Theudas, because there is a debate):

He was a self-proclaimed prophet who led a contingent of people away, stating that the Jordan river would part at his command. But, the Roman procurator sent horsemen to destroy the contingent and Theudas was beheaded.

Judas - Of the Zealot party

“The Zealots sought to establish a theocracy—a political system where God is the sole ruler.” (Richard R. Losch, All the People in the Bible: An A–Z Guide to the Saints, Scoundrels, and Other Characters in Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008), 244).

He revolted against an unlawful census that would lead to a tax at around or just before the time of Christ’s birth.

He had a large following but was killed by the Romans. His sons continued revolting against the Romans; however, which eventually led to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Think about the fact that Gamaliel was able to rattle of two examples very quickly. It seems that these people were fresh on the minds of the Jewish leaders. And Simon, one the twelve, was associated with the Zealot party, Acts 1:13. In light of this, the signs and wonders of yet another group of extremists, who likely want to simply overthrow the status quo for their own political reasons, was nothing new to these Jewish leaders. We know that there were features of the Jesus’ and the Apostle’s acts that were irrefutable. So this is not an excuse for these Jewish leaders. But it may shed some light on their thinking.

They followed his advice and did not kill them. But they still beat them. This is more severe than the verbal censure that was given before. Things are still ramping up. And there is again a restriction placed on them with reference to the name of Jesus. Because remember, if Jesus is the Messiah, then the Jewish leadership are the enemies of God Himself. That is the situation.

Joyful Rebellion

Acts 5:41–42 (LSB)

So they went on their way from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for the Name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

It is striking that the Apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing. They had been considered worthy to suffer shame for Jesus. Do we look at temptation and trial in this light?

When we are persecuted or oppressed, God could be allowing us to be witnesses for Him in a small way. Is someone coming after you, questioning you, are they putting you on trial? Even if that is unjust, are you able to stand on the authority of Scripture? And in standing, even in the face of an unjust beating, can you go on your way rejoicing?

If someone is demanding answers or asking “on whose authority?” How do we respond? Are we angry, defensive, or reactive? Or are we joyful and assured in the authority of God’s Word?

Our decisions, our ethics, ought to be thoroughly biblical, so that we may be ready to give an account with gentleness and fear (1 Peter 3:15).

We also see here that the Apostles promptly disobeyed the command of the Jewish leadership. “…they did not cease teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” And they did this in the temple and from house to house. They were brazenly disobeying the Jewish leadership.

We have talked about the divine right of rebellion before, but what I want to emphasize here is that it can only be joyful when it is right. When we are surely standing on God’s Word, in obedience to Christ, then it doesn’t matter whether it is a church authority (session or pastor), a family authority (husband or wife), or state authority (police, president, governor, county executive), we can joyfully obey the One who has all authority in heaven and on earth even if that puts us at odds with any of these earthly authorities.

We can be like Robin Hood’s Merry Men, resisting the tyrannical sheriff of Nottingham, and living in exile in Sherwood forest.

Application

Ezekiel 47:1–12 (LSB)

Then he brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east, for the house faced east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around by way of the outside to the outer gate by way of the gate that faces east. And behold, water was trickling from the south side. When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he had me pass through the water, water reaching the ankles. Again he measured one thousand and had me pass through the water, water reaching the knees. Again he measured one thousand and had me pass through the water, water reaching the loins. Again he measured one thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had become high—enough water to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he led and returned me back to the bank of the river. When I had returned, now behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then he said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea, being made to flow out to the sea, and the waters of the sea will be healed. “And it will be that every living creature, which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the other waters are healed; so everything will live where the river goes. “And it will be that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many. “But its marshes and swamps will not be healed; they will be left for salt. “And by the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows out from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”

“Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.”

As the life-giving water coming from the restored temple in Ezekiel 47, the Apostles were sent by Jesus to stand and speak to the people the whole message of this life.

They were authorized by Jesus at the Great Commission, and again in our passage by a messenger (an angel) from Jesus.

Now, we are also authorized by Jesus, particularly in His Word, to proclaim that same good news that Jesus is the Christ.

We are like the river coming from the restored temple. And think about this in light of Pentecost: God now dwells with His people (this church is His New Covenant Temple), and out of His people, with whom He dwells, water flows out into the dessert (the Arabah) and brings life. The Apostles were commanded to speak to the people the whole message of this Life.

Are we doing that?

Are we as water flowing into the dessert? Or have we separated ourselves so much from the world that we would rather clamor about things in this restored temple than be like life-giving water in the dessert?

Are you a lighthouse for ships tossed on a stormy sea? Or are you contributing to the stormy sea, tossing people?

Are you the river of life that flows into the dessert? Or have you dammed up the river and made your profession arguing with the engineers of the dam so that we can retain as much of the river here as possible?

We can get so caught up in ourselves: we are perhaps zealous of God’s worship, we are concerned for proper form and government, or we are to enamored with our own sense of piety, that we forget about the world of lost people, lost souls. We are here primarily as God’s people, and we need to go, stand, and speak all the words of this life as emissaries of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So, people of God, Go, stand and speak all the words of this life, and behold Jesus will be with you always, even to the end of the age.

Amen!

The Lord’s Supper

Psalm 46:4 (LSB)

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

We are to participate in this sacrament: communion with our Lord. We are enjoying, being made glad by, this stream coming from the river of life. This is what we proclaim to the world: you can be reconciled to God and come and eat at His table. Are we grasping to retain this for ourselves? Or are we eager to invite the world be reconciled to God?

Believer, come to this table and fellowship with your Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. He has given these elements as gifts to you for your building up in the faith. To all who are repentant of their sins, believing on Christ as their savior, having been baptized and formally added to the visible church, these gifts are for you.

To all who are unrepentant, unbelieving, and not joined to the visible church, these gifts will damn you. Consider this a warning. As Ananias and Sapphira died by stealing that which was devoted to Yahweh, and as Achan before them, you also will be guilty of stealing that which has been consecrated to Yahweh.

There is a gate through which any may come: Jesus Christ. He says, I am the way. We can come to this table and fellowship with God through Christ alone. There is no other way.

Let us pray and give thanks for these gifts.