Empowered Disciples Week 14

Speak the Name of Jesus

This morning as we continue our study through the Book of Acts, as we come to the end of chapter five.

Last week we seen the apostles get arrested, an angel in the middle of the night releases them, and instructs them to go back to the temple and continue to preach Jesus.

When the Sanhedrin send for the apostles it is reported back to them that they are not in the prison, and then someone comes in and reports that they are back in Solomon’s Portico where they were arrested the day before, the captain of the temple guard goes to retrieve them this time.

When they come in to the council of the Sanhedrin the high priest questions them about teaching in the name of Jesus, and trying to put Jesus blood or guilt on them.

Peter responds with, “We must obey God rather than man.”

What Peter was saying is that we must obey God and continue to speak the name of Jesus.

Then he summarizes the message he preached to them the first time he appeared in front of them.

As we pick up this morning in verse 33, the scene is still of the apostles facing the council of the Sanhedrin.

We are introduced to a highly respected Pharisee.

Gamaliel

The scene is the apostles, it is believed this is all twelve of them are standing in front of the council of the Sanhedrin.

The Jewish high court of justice, which is the Sanhedrin consisted of 71 men and was led by the high priest.

The council could decide almost any fate of the Jewish people - except the death penalty, which was decided by the Romans.

The Court was located within the chamber of Hewn Stone inside Herod’s Temple.

Acts 5:33–34 NASB95

33 But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time.

After Peter’s response to the high priests questions, the council was mad and ready to kill the apostles.

These 70 other men on the council are steaming mad, when this man a Pharisee stands and addresses the council.

This man named Gamaliel was a Pharisee who probably did not want to see the Sadducees win any victories.

The Sadducees were a Jewish religious party who recognized the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) as the only divine authority and they rejected resurrection.

They were part of the ruling elite with religious and political responsibilities connected with the temple.

The Pharisees were a Jewish religious party who required strict adherence to the Law and the traditions of their predecessors.

The Sanhedrin was made up of the Sadducees and the Pharisees with the high priest leading the council.

Gamaliel was a Scholar highly esteemed by the people, rather liberal in his applications of the Law, and apparently moderate in his approach to problems.

In Acts 22:3 Paul tells us that he was trained as a Pharisee under Gamaliel.

Even though Gamaliel was a Pharisee, he was respected by all the people.

We are told that when he stood up he gave orders to have the apostles taken outside.

To have the person or persons on trial taken out while things were discussed was a normal occurrence.

The one standing trail was taken out so that the council could discuss the situation without any influence or outburst.

Carefully Consider

Gamaliel the respected Pharisee is standing now speaking to the whole council.

This next set of verses may sound like Gamaliel was sympathetic for the apostles, but as a Pharisee he had no sympathy for them.

Acts 5:35–39 NASB95

35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36 “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 followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 “After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 “So in the present case, I 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; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”

With calmness of the scholar, Gamaliel advised the council to carefully consider what they should do with the prisoners.

At the end of verse 33, we were told that the council was cut to the quick and had intentions to kill the apostles.

Gamaliel was like hold on a minute and lets think about this and talk about it.

Gamaliel then presents two other men, that had announced themselves as some kind of prophet, and they both had drawn a sizable group of followers.

In each of those cases when the leader was killed, the followers scattered and their movement ended.

Gamaliel hinted that the followers of Jesus were probably no different from the other two groups, and if given enough time they surely will scatter and their movement end.

Gamaliel’s counsel to the Sanhedrin was to leave the apostles alone, arguing that, if the movement was of men it would be overthrown, and, in that case the Sanhedrin would waste its concern over something that would fail anyway.

On the other hand, if the apostles represented a movement blessed of God, the Sanhedrin could not stop the movement anyway.

And if the Sanhedrin opposed the movement, they might be found fighting against God.

Gamaliel’s point was clear.

God will work out His will.

Success is not a test of truth.

Gamaliel stated a sound rabbinic principle: “Any assembling together that is for the sake of heaven shall in the end be established, but any that is not for the sake of Heaven shall not in the end be established.”

Gamaliel’s counsel was already finding fulfillment - the Christian community was growing, they were doing signs and wonders, they were released from jail just the night before by an angel; it had become obvious whose side God was on.

The council were already finding themselves fighters against God.

When we think about Gamaliel’s advice to the Sanhedrin, if the Christian movement which at that time was referred to as the followers of Jesus or the way, if it was of man, if Jesus was not the Son of God, then this movement would not last.

Gamaliel shared two other people that had grown followings, but once they were gone the movement ended, they were of men.

Now roughly 2,000 years later and the Christian movement is still going, still growing, still facing persecution and cannot be stopped by man.

These apostles that were on trial, were willing to give their life to spread the gospel message.

Rejoice Always

Gamaliel gives his advice to the council, and now it is time for the apostles to come back in and receive their sentence.

Did Gamaliel’s advice help cool the council down some, or was the council still steaming mad ready to have the apostles killed.

Acts 5:40–42 NASB95

40 They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

The Sanhedrin accepted Gamaliel’s advice, but the council did not feel that the apostles should be released without some punishment and warning.

In verse 33 the council was mad and had intended to kill the apostles, but after Gamaliel’s speech the council compromised.

After all, the apostles had blatantly disobeyed an explicit command from the Sanhedrin.

The flogging which is a beating with a whip had a strange effect upon the apostles.

Instead of bowing before the court and limping away resentfully from their punishment, they were thrilled to be “considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

The apostles did not rejoice in the suffering, they were not seeking to be martyred.

They sought the privilege of loyalty to Jesus Christ at any cost.

Jesus had told the apostles to expect persecution and had instructed them to rejoice in it.

Matthew 5:10–12 NASB95

10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Sanhedrin thought that they had won a great victory, when actually the council had experienced a crushing defeat.

The apostles grew in godliness as they yielded to God’s will and suffered for their Master.

Neither the threats nor the beatings stopped the apostles from witnessing for Jesus Christ.

If anything, this persecution only made them trust God more and seek greater power in their ministry.

True believers are not quitters.

The apostles had a commission to fulfill, and they intended to continue as long as their Lord enabled them.

Verse 42 summarizes the apostolic pattern for evangelism, an excellent pattern for us to follow.

To begin with, they witnessed daily.

This meant that they took advantage of witnessing opportunities no matter where they were.

Every Christian is a witness, either a good one or a bad one; and our witness either draw others to Christ or drives them away.

It is good practice to start each day asking the Lord for the wisdom and grace needed to be a loving witness for Christ that day.

If we sincerely look for opportunities and expect God to give them to us, we will never lack for open doors.

The believers witnessed in the temple.

After all, that was where the religious people gathered, and it was easier to reach them there.

If we know of a place where people gather that need to hear about Jesus, then we need to go there and share the gospel.

The early Christians also witnessed in every house.

They did not have church buildings, therefore they met in people’s houses to have services.

The apostles ministry went on without ceasing.

The authorities had told them to stop witnessing, but they only witnessed all the more!

Their motive was not defiance to the law but rather obedience to the Lord.

Just as Peter said in our text last week.

Acts 5:29 NASB95

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Witnessing, preaching, teaching, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ was not something that they turned on and off, depending on the situation.

They were always at it and they kept at it as long as God gave them opportunities.

Jesus Christ was the very center of their witness, they did not make it about themselves, it was all about Jesus and fulfilling the commission that Jesus gave them.

Jesus was the very name that the Sanhedrin had condemned them from speaking of.

The early church did not go about arguing religion or condemning the establishment: they simply told people about Jesus Christ and urged them to trust in Him.

Evangelism is not limited to church services.

The apostles shared Jesus publicly and personally.

The mission continues wherever God has placed us - at work, in our neighborhoods, schools, and homes.

Think about who is someone that God has placed on your heart that you can intentionally encourage and share Jesus with this week?

See when we are convinced of Jesus’ worth, opposition cannot silence our witness, suffering cannot steal our joy, and threats cannot stop God’s mission.

The apostles faced - anger from the council, threats from authorities, physical suffering, and public opposition; yet they continued proclaiming Jesus daily.

If the apostles would not stop speaking about Jesus after being beaten, what excuse do we have for remaining silent when we face far less opposition?