The Gospel Cannot be Imprisoned (Acts 5:12-42)

Introduction

English Standard Version Chapter 5

Many Signs and Wonders Done

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Well, we’re picking up in Acts 5:12 today, following Luke’s record of Ananias and Saphira earlier in the chapter. If you recall, Ananias and Saphira had put the Holy Spirit to the test by lying to God, that they had wanted to appear generous by selling a piece of their property and giving the proceeds to the church. And while they were under no compulsion to sell their property or to give any of the proceeds to the church, when they brought those proceeds to the apostles they chose to lie about the amount they gave. In fact, they had even conspired together to lie about how much they had donated, because they wanted to appear generous before others in the church. They wanted to appear generous like Barnabas, who was featured earlier at the end of chapter 4, and who had similarly sold his property and brought the proceeds to the apostles.

They undoubtedly wanted the accolades and the praise of men for what they had done, but they also loved their money, and so they only wanted to depart with as much of it as was necessary to purchase the praise of men. And so they devised a plan to give only as much as they believed was necessary to convince the apostles that they had, to ensure that their deception would go unnoticed, to give credibility to their lie.

However, and presumably by the supernatural revelation, Peter saw through their deception and confronted them, saying to Ananias, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” (Acts 5:3-4) Then we’re told that Ananias, after hearing his words, immediately fell down and breathed his last. Then three hours later his wife Saphira came in, not knowing what had happened, and Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” (Acts 5:8-9) And, again, we’re told that she fell down at his feet and breathed her last.

You see, Ananias and Saphira had put God to the test by lying to the Holy Spirit, thinking that they could lie to God and get away with it. They were in a sense daring God to act, thinking that He wouldn’t respond to their deliberate efforts to deceive the church, and that their deception would be sufficiently hidden from the apostles and the church. But they were sorely mistaken, they were not merely lying to the apostles and the church, but they were also lying to God, and as a result, the Holy Spirit revealed this to the Apostle Peter, and after confronting them they were immediately struck down.

God made an example out of them, to remind the church that he takes sin seriously, and that sin would not be tolerated within the church. Just as God had made an example out of the sons of Aaron in the OT, Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized fire to God in worship and were immediately consumed by fire, God made an example out of Ananias and Saphira. That God’s grace towards sinners was not a license to practice sin or to think that sin would be tolerated within the confines of the church. You see, while God is gracious, God remains holy, and he will be regarded as holy.

None dared join them

Now, the reason I call this to mind, is because of how it relates to the verses that immediate follow, picking up there in verse 12, we read,

English Standard Version Chapter 5

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.

Now, I want you to consider for moment specifically verse 13, that “none of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.” Why do you suppose Luke said this? Why would he say that none of the rest dared to join them? Well, I suspect it’s because of what just happened to Ananias and Saphira. I’m sure the news of their death had spread quickly, both within the walls of the church and beyond. And what kind of response do you think that would have elicited in those who heard it? That’s right, fear. That God is not to be trifled with, that he’s to be taken seriously. As I pointed out earlier in the Book of Acts, the church is the new covenant Temple, that it parallels the Tabernacle and Temple under the old covenant. And just as the priests were warned before entering the holy place to approach God as prescribed in Scripture, so we’re also warned by these events that by joining the church we too walk on holy ground.

Holiness of God a purifying effect

Now, it’s important recognize that this has an intended purifying effect upon the church. While the church is where sin is forgiven it’s not where sin is tolerated. There’s a difference. And our recognition that God is holy and that he must be treated as holy not only guards the church from sin, but it naturally separates the insincere believers from the sincere believers. There are many people who profess to follow Christ with their lips, because it’s easy to give lip-service to someone without rendering obedience. This is why Jesus famously said in his sermon on the mount in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Again, this doesn’t mean we’re saved by our works, but that our works give evidence of whether our profession is genuine or not. You see, sincere believers will readily seek to forsake their sin, while insincere believers will seek to hold onto their sin, without any intention for forsaking it. They want to have their cake and eat it to.

But after an event like that with Ananias and Saphira or Nadab and Abihu those who are insincere believers quickly become evident. While at first they may have looked like followers of Jesus, once they realize it might cost them, they’re forced to take a step back, and as a result, they no longer find it possible to blend in with the church crowd. They dare not join the church lest they end up like Ananias and Saphira. While those who are sincere believers remain, willing to forsake their sin and holding steadfastly to their God who is just and merciful to forgive them of their sin.

Superficial, insincere believers

This is one of the reasons, for instance, megachurches have become a recent phenomenon within the United States, as doctrinal standards are lowered or ignored, as elders increasingly turn a blind eye toward sin in the church, and local church membership vanishes, the local church increasingly becomes inflated by superficial, insincere believers. The holiness of God is ignored or downplayed and replaced with teachings that make men feel comfortable. The number of church attendees may grow in spades under a charismatic teacher, and the church might appear to be successful in their evangelism, when in fact they’ve just made room for superficial, insincere believers.

And sadly, this model eventually brings harm to sincere believers. It allows sin to creep into the church, to gain a foothold, and like leaven it leavens the whole lump. Without the holiness of God noticeably present within the church its members don’t grow in holiness, but are destroyed by sin. The devil is given room to wreak havoc in the church. This is why a preacher must never forsake preaching God’s holiness. While God is merciful, he is also holy, and we must treat him as such, remembering that sin has no place in the church.

But on the flipside, a church that preaches sound doctrine, that preaches the whole counsel of God (not just the parts they like), that proclaims the holiness of God, that refuses to tolerate or make excuses for sin, yet joyfully embraces repentant sinners—those who are willing to forsake their sin and who know that their only hope is found in the mercy of God revealed in Christ—that church will attract genuine believers, and those believers will grow in holiness. This is the kind of local church we must strive to be, and if we’re successful, not only will we grow in holiness, but we will also attract sincere believers. In a church like this, an insincere believer will not last long, for either he will leave or he be converted.

And notice what Luke says immediately after he writes that “none of the rest dared join them,” there in verse 14, “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.” In other words, on one hand, the situation with Ananias and Saphira had the effect of keeping certain disingenuous persons out, while on the other hand it caused more genuine believers than ever to join the church.

Many signs and wonders

Now, we also there in verses 12-16, that the apostles are back at it. They’re regularly performing signs and wonders among the people at the Temple in Jerusalem. In fact, it says there in verse 15,

English Standard Version Chapter 5

15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Now, if you recall, earlier, back in chapters 3-4, they had just been apprehended by the religious authorities for healing a lame beggar in Jesus’ name, and as result, the Jewish Council had charged Peter and John not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus. Yet, here they are again, at the Temple, and apparently with the rest of the apostles, and they were performing many signs and wonders among the people, all undoubtedly in Jesus’ name.

Filled with jealousy

So, as you might expect, this again drew the ire of the high priest and the rest of the Jewish Council, which is where we pickup there in verse 17, we read,

English Standard Version Chapter 5

17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.

Now, I want you to notice the motive Luke attributes to the high priest and the rest of his party, the Sadducees, jealousy. That is, the driving motivation behind their arrest of the apostles was jealousy, they were jealous of the apostle’s following, that the crowds were going after them; they were envious of the people, who were coming from all over, flocking to the disciples. They were jealous of the attention the apostles were receiving.

Now, there are examples of jealousy like this throughout the Scriptures. For example, you might recall, when Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him, that “when his brothers saw that their father [Jacob] loved [Joseph] more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” (Genesis 37:4) Similarly, the high priest and the Jewish council hated Jesus and his apostles because of the attention they were receiving from the crowds.

A pastor might become jealous of another pastor or church when his congregants leave his church to attend the other’s. Or an employer might become jealous of another employer when his employee leave to work for the other employer. I’ve seen veteran employees become jealous of a new employee when customers begin preferring the newcomer’s help over theirs.

Righteous and unrighteous jealousy

Now, jealousy can be either righteous or sinful. For example, a husband is rightly jealous for his wife and a wife for her husband. The marriage covenant is exclusive, it’s only between the two of them. Similarly, God is rightly jealous for us and our worship, because he is our creator, we owe worship and obedience to him and to him alone. This is why the Bible speaks of God as a jealous God without apology, and condemns worshiping other gods.

The key distinction lies in whether your jealousy is rooted in a righteous or a legitimate claim, or whether your jealousy is rooted in a sinful or illegitimate claim. In the example of a husband being jealous for his wife this is typically a righteous form of jealousy because their claim on their spouse is legitimate. Similarly, God’s jealousy for us is righteous, because his claim on us is legitimate. Whereas, any form of jealousy that is rooted in an illegitimate claim is sinful, it’s a form of coveting something that you don’t have a legitimate claim to, desiring something that doesn’t belong to you.

For example, the high priest and his followers were consumed by unrighteous jealousy. They coveted the praise, authority, and power due only to God—they coveted His very kingdom. Their claim was illegitimate, and their jealousy therefore sinful. The nation of Israel and the temple system existed to glorify God and to manifest His power and authority on earth; whereas the religious leaders were called to steward that system. Yet they sought to seize the glory, power, and authority for themselves, making Jesus and His apostles their inevitable enemies.

Apostles are a threat to the religious leaders

You see, the apostles posed a real threat to their stranglehold over the nation and temple system. The apostles didn’t just stand in verbal opposition to them, but the signs and wonders that accompanied their ministry served as heaven’s confirmation of their message and authority. These healings and exorcisms were not mere spectacles; they were visible demonstrations that the kingdom of God had come in power through Jesus Christ and His ambassadors on earth..

These signs and wonders made it abundantly clear, as Jesus had put it in his parable of the tenants, that “the kingdom of God [would] be taken away from [them] and given to a people producing its fruits.” (Matthew 21:43) Therefore, when multitudes of people began flocking to the apostles the high priest and those following him immediately realized that their power and authority was in jeopardy. So, what do they do? They they arrest the apostles and put them into prison. They have to put a stop to the people going after them, they have to stop the bleeding.

The Gospel cannot be imprisoned

However, we read this, picking up in verse 19,

English Standard Version Chapter 5

19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”

Now, I want you to ask yourself question, “Why does the angel of the Lord open the prison doors and release the apostles?” Is it just a flex? Is it intended to be a spectacle to dazzle everyone? Is it intended to wow the apostles? Or to draw attention to the angel or themselves? No, the angel of the Lord says, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” In other words, this miracle is intended to serve the message of the Gospel. And so what do the apostles immediately do? “They entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.” And after the high priest and those with him realize they’re gone, what do they find them doing? “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”

And more specifically, this particular miracle is intended to communicate to everyone that the Gospel cannot be imprisoned, that it cannot be stopped. In fact, we see later in 2 Timothy 2:8-9 a similar sentiment from the Apostle Paul when he writes, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!”

Miracles serve the message

Now, this is a subtle but important point, because so many Christians miss this, that miracles serve a very fundamental purpose, and it’s not so that the apostles can show off, it’s not to draw attention to the miracle worker, but to serve the message of the Gospel. Whether that’s to confirm that message or to advance that message. Whether it’s signs and wonders, such as miraculous healings and exorcisms, or the angel of the Lord breaking the apostles out of prison, they’re all done in service to the message. We’re not intended to seek miracles out for the sake of miracles as so many Christians are taught to do. Miracles are not intended to detract from the Gospel, but to bear witness to it.

Delicate situation

So, what does the high priest and his followers do when they find the apostles “standing in the temple and teaching the people?” We read starting there in verse 26,

English Standard Version Chapter 5

26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Again, the religious leaders find themselves between a rock and a hard spot, for they can’t even arrest the apostles by force, they have to convince them to come willingly for fear that the people will turn on them and stone them. This is an increasingly delicate situation, the more the people are drawn to the apostles the more dangerous the Sanhedrin's opposition to the apostles becomes for them. The question is how do they stop the apostles without bringing the wrath of the people down upon their own heads?

We must obey God rather than men

And just like before, the high priest questions them and the Peters responds boldly, pulling no punches. When asked why they have filled Jerusalem with their teaching, when they had strictly charged them no teach in Jesus’ name, he tells them that they must obey God rather than men. And he doesn’t stop there, he reminds them that they had killed Jesus, whom the God of their forefathers had raised from the dead, and hung him on a tree. But that God had since exalted him to his right hand in order to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. That the apostles were witnesses to these events and could not remain silent.

Gamaliel

Then we read in verse 33,

English Standard Version Chapter 5

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

So, despite the delicate situation, Peter’s bold response enraged the high priest and the other members of the council, so much that they were ready to kill him. Until a Pharisee, a member of the council, named Gamaliel, stood up and called for an executive session behind closed doors. He obviously realized where this was headed and wanted to apply the brakes. And to do so he gave them some advice, pointing out that there had been threats to their power and authority in the past, and that all of those threats had ultimately come to nothing, and that they should therefore leave these men alone, “for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.” In fact, “you might even be found opposing God.”

Now, Gamaliel was considered by many of his contemporaries to be the greatest teacher of their day. In fact, many Jewish writers after him have claimed that there hasn’t been a greater teacher since Gamaliel. In fact, we find out later in Acts 22:3 that the Apostle Paul had studied under Gamaliel. Therefore, when Gamaliel spoke, the council was willing to listen to his advice, and after some consideration they heeded his words. Now, there’s certainly some truth to what Gamaliel told them, for example, when he said that “if this plan or this undertaking is of God, they will not be able to overthrow it” he’s certainly right. However, I suspect his fundament intention was to keep the council from making a rash decision that might lead to their own demise. His words were pragmatic and calculated, and aimed at preserving their existence. Arguing that this movement would likely fizzle out just like the other movements had before it, if they would just wait it out.

Counted worthy to suffer for Christ

And so they took his advice, called the apostles back into the room, and rather than seeking their execution they beat them and charged them again not to speak in the name of Jesus. Now, based on texts like Deuteronomy 25 and Paul’s statements in 2 Corinthians 11 they each likely received upwards of 40 lashes, which was the maximum penalty under the law. Now, what remarkable at this point is what happens next.

Luke writes there in verse 41 that the apostles “left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Now, you have to understand, the apostles viewed their suffering and their persecution as a privilege. They viewed their suffering and persecution as cause for rejoicing. Why? Because it was a privilege to be identified with Jesus, to be accounted with him, to be counted worthy to suffer disgrace for his name, they reckoned it an honor (Matthew Henry) to be dishonored for Christ’s sake;

And their persecution also reminded them of just how much Christ had endured on their behalf, therefore it was an honor to think that in some small measure they had the privilege to endure suffering and persecution for his name’s sake, to have fellowship with Him in His sufferings, to bear reproach for the one who had borne infinitely more for them.

Jesus had famously taught them in his sermon on the mount,

English Standard Version Chapter 5

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Prayer