Four Reactions to the Evidence

Introduction:

All of the Apostles have been imprisoned, and, now, they stand in front of the Council again.

Peter has pointed their interrogators to God’s evidence:

He raised and exalted Jesus.

They are witnesses.

The Holy Spirit is witness.

We will see different reactions from those involved in the Council, and we will note the reaction of the Apostles to how they are treated.

Ask again: how much could you take?

Would you be able to rejoice in suffering for the Name?

Reaction #1: Intense Anger

Luke records the immediate response of those who heard Peter’s explanation.

They were filled with fury.

This term will only again occur at the conclusion of Stephen’s preaching in Acts 7:54.

The only reaction to the preaching of the truth isn’t to believe. It can also be to become angry and to want to engage in violence.

They wised to execute the Apostles.

How they might have done this does not appear to matter.

Their anger moves them to want the execution of the Apostles.

Reaction # 2: Gamaliel’s Counsel to Wait

The response of the Apostles angered, intensely, those who heard, and they called for the execution of these men.

At this point, Gamaliel intervened with a brief reminder of the recent past.

Jos. AJ 18.13: and when they determine that all things are done by fate, they do not take away the freedom from men of acting as they think fit; since their notion is, that it hath pleased God to make a temperament, whereby what he wills is done, but so that the will of man can act virtuously or viciously.

He reminds them of a revolt under Theudas, no doubt intended to be someone earlier than Judas, not the later Theudas.

Judas the Galilean led a revolt in 6 AD against the Jews being subjected to Roman taxation.

D R. Yohanan Hassandelar says, “Any gathering which is for the sake of Heaven is going to endure.

E “And any which is not for the sake of Heaven is not going to endure. (Neusner, J. (1988). The Mishnah : A new translation (p. 683). Yale University Press.)

We will notice, yet again, that no one considers hearing them out and considering that Jesus is raised from the dead and Messiah.

Reaction #3: Reevaluate and Temper Violence

The Council was persuaded by Gamaliel’s advice.

So, they summoned the Apostles into their presence and went one step farther than they ever have.

They subjected the Apostles to physical, corporeal punishment.

They were beaten.

Many think this refers to the 39 lashes to which Paul also said he was subjected.

They repeated their prohibition “not to speak in the name of Jesus.”

Introduction Part 2:

Acts challenges us to think historically, but it also lets us think about human nature, reactions to the witness of Jesus, and suffering.

We have an apostolic example for how to think about suffering and persecution.

It may be undesirable, but it is still important to prepare ourselves in advance.

Suffering in the NT has an importance for followers of Jesus.

Maturity: James 1:1-3, Romans 5:3-5.

Continuing the sufferings of Jesus

Col. 1:24

Phil. 1:29-30.

Reaction #4: Rejoicing in Suffering

The ordeal, most likely.

The Mishnah Makkot

3:10 A How many times do they flog him?

B Forty stripes less one,

C as it is said, By number, forty [

The Apostles rejoice in their opportunity to suffer for “the name.”

This is interesting choice of terms given the Jewish significance.

They continued teaching and proclaiming the Messiah to be Jesus.

This is quite a thought: considering “the name” something worthy to be beaten for to such a degree we count ourselves fortunate to have been worthy to be dishonored for Him.

1 Pet. 4:12-14.