Worthy To Suffer

And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

As we continue to deal with the problems that burden the disciples to preach, we come to The Problem Of Arrest And Imprisonment 5:12-42. That is the section that we will tackle this morning. PRAY

In his book Good News Is For Sharing Lieghton Ford writes that “From boyhood, one of my favorite stories has been the forty martyrs of Sabaste. These forty soldiers, all Christians, were members of the famed Twelfth Legion of Rome's imperial army. One day their captain told them Emperor Licinius had sent out an edict that all soldiers were to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. These Christians replied, ‘You can have our armor and even our bodies, but our hearts' allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ.’

The Problem Of Arrest And Imprisonment 5:12-42

It was midwinter of A.D. 320, and the captain had them marched onto a nearby frozen lake. He stripped them of their clothes and said they would either die or renounce Christ. Throughout the night these men huddled together singing their song, "Forty martyrs for Christ." One by one the temperature took its toll and they fell to the ice.

At last there was only one man left. He lost courage and stumbled to the shore, where he renounced Christ. The officer of the guards had been watching all this. Unknown to the others, he had secretly come to believe in Christ. When he saw this last man break rank, he walked out onto the ice, threw off his clothes, and confessed that he also was a Christian. When the sun rose the next morning, there were forty bodies of soldiers who had fought to the death for Christ.” Lieghton Ford, Good News is for Sharing, 1977, David C. Cook Publishing Co., p. 16. This story reveals that there are some who are worthy to suffer for Christ, and there are some who are not worthy.

As I studied this section I repeatedly asked myself a question.

What is it that makes them worthy to suffer? Their obedience. God says preach they preach. They are arrested. An angel releases them and says preach, they preach. They are re-arrested. They are commanded not to preach but they must obey God and not men. They are beaten, commanded not to preach, and released. They continue preaching.

“What made these men worthy to suffer?”

I have concluded that

There are four attitudes revealed by the apostles that make a believer worthy to suffer for Christ.

Our challenge today is to understand and apply these attitudes.

When our attitudes mirror these, we too will be worthy to suffer.

This passage first reveals…

1. The Reason For Arrest And Imprisonment vv. 12-16

As background to this story we must remember that the disciples have already been commanded not to preach or teach in the name of Jesus. They have steadfastly refused to bow to the threats of men. Instead, they have continued preaching and ministering to people. This is important as we examine…

a. The popularity of the apostles vv. 12-13

God uses the apostles to do many miracles among the people. This is what drove thier popularity. The wording in the end of v. 12 has led many to believe that Solomon’s porch is where the early church believer’s met. Luke’s usage of “with one accord” supports this theory. This Greek word appears in 1:14 when they are praying, 2:46 in the description of the growth and activity of the early church, and in 4:24 when they are praying about the persecution. In each instance the context is that of the gathering of the church. What I love about this is that The early church is meeting in the temple and preaching Christ there! The Holy Spirit is doing miracles through the apostles and people are being saved!

God uses the apostles to do many miracles among the people. This is what drove thier popularity.

The wording in the end of v. 12 has led many to believe that Solomon’s porch is where the early church believer’s met. Luke’s usage of “with one accord” gives credence to this theory. This Greek word appears in 1:14 when they are praying, 2:46 in the description of the growth and activity of the early church, and in 4:24 when they are praying about the persecution. In each instance the context is that of the gathering of the church. What I love about this is that the early church is meeting in the temple and preaching Christ there! The Holy Spirit is doing miracles through the apostles and people are being saved!

However, The miracles of the apostles didn’t automatically lead to record breaking conversions. Verse 13 reveals that there were those who dared not join them. The Greek word translated “rest” here is normally used to describe unbelievers. The key here is the word “join”. This is the Greek word κολλάομαι (kollaomai) meaning join; unite. To attach oneself, or to establish a relationship with someone.

Join – κολλάομαι (kollaomai)

Though the apostles were “highly esteemed” there were many who still didn’t believe. Many commentators trace this reluctance back to what happened to Ananias and Sapphira. Whatever the reason, there is a contrast here. While refusing to join the apostles, these people still esteemed them highly. As with Jesus, it is the popularity of the apostles that leads to persecution. This is highlighted as we consider…

It is their popularity that leads to persecution.

ii. Popularity through esteem v. 13

b. The healing of the apostles vv. 14-16

i. Healing of multitudes spiritually v. 14

Though there were some who didn’t believe, v. 14 reveals that “multitudes of both men and women” did. The early church definitely practiced a ministry of multiplication. Again we are reminded that the disciples had been forbidden to preach in Jesus name. What they are doing is dangerous! Yet this is what Christ has commanded. As these people were spiritually healed through the gospel of Jesus Christ, they brought those who were physically sick seeking miraculous healing for them. Verse 15 records them placing people on the street in an attempt to have Peter’s shadow fall on them. It is not clear whether this resulted in their healing or not. Regardless, the disciples were popular, the gospel was going forward, and people were being healed. This is made clear in v. 16. People from the surrounding cities bring sick people and those demon possessed and all of them were healed. This is one vast difference between what passes for healing today and what the Biblical gift of healing was. Everyone who came to the apostles was healed! Everyone!

There is spiritual healing going on as well as miraculous physical healing. The popularity of the disciples coupled with their preaching and teaching ministry is what leads to their arrest and imprisonment. What attitude is revealed in this section that demonstrates how they are worthy to suffer?

The apostles preach, heal, and minister with faithfulness.

This is what is required to suffer! So what if they have been threatened! So what if they have been commanded to be silent! They have a command from Christ and they will preach the gospel faithfully! Will we? Will we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ with consistency and faithfulness? What if we’re threatened? What we’re arrested? How far will we go for Christ? Having examined the reason the text turns to…

ii. Healing miraculously v. 15

iii. Healing of multitudes physically v. 16

2. The Removal From Arrest And Imprisonment vv. 17-21

One of the struggles in the Christian life is that we sometimes suffer for doing good. Human thinking would expect suffering to be a punishment or an evidence of something gone wrong. For the child of God, Scripture reveals that we will sometimes be persecuted for no reason other than our faithfulness to Christ. In fact both Jesus and the NT writes assume this will happen. That is exactly what takes place in this passage as…

a. The Sadducees arrest and imprison vv. 17-18

i. The Sadducees indignation v. 17

Verse 17 reveals the motivation behind the arrest. The chief priest and Sadducees are indignant. “Indignation” is the Greek word ζῆλος (zēlos) meaning jealousy, ardor, or zeal. A greedy or prideful longing for something that belongs to another; even something intangible, such as a skill.

Indignation – ζῆλος (zēlos)

They are jealous! They want the crowds, the attention, and the popularity. Because of this, in v. 18, they arrest the apostles and place them into a public prison. This was a short term holding prison designed for people awaiting trial. Taking the necessary precautions (v. 23), they leave the apostles in custody until the next day. However, during the night…

ii. The Sadducees arrest v. 18

b. An angel releases and commissions vv. 19-21

i. An angel opens the doors v. 19

Verse 19 informs us that at some point during the night an angel of the Lord opens the prison and sets them free! He then gives them a command in v. 20. Go, stand, speak. That is the command. Go to the temple, stand there, and speak the words of life! This is what we also must do. We must go. We have no hope of reaching the lost if we never go to where they are! Stand, don’t sneak in, don’t try to cleverly disguise the gospel. Stand up and speak it! No one can be saved apart from hearing the gospel message. They cannot hear it if we never speak it! The words that we have been given to speak are the words of life!

Preaching the Word: Acts—The Church Afire Wave Number One (Vv. 17–25)

There is some divine humor here, too, because the Sadducees did not believe in angels. And yet here, right in their own city, were some close encounters of the spiritual kind.

He then gives them a command in v. 20. Go, stand, speak. That is the command. Go to the temple, stand there, and speak the words of life! This is what we also must do. We must go. We have no hope of reaching the lost if we never go to where they are! Stand, don’t sneak in, don’t try to cleverly disguise the gospel. Stand up and speak it! No one can be saved apart from hearing the gospel message. They cannot hear it if we never speak it! The words that we have been given to speak are the words of life!

I love v. 21. They hear what the angel has commanded, so that is exactly what they do! This is doubly dangerous! It was dangerous enough to continue preaching after being commanded not to. But now, to leave prison and then go right back to preaching! This is dangerous indeed! It is a virtual slap in the face for the Sanhedrin! They go in early! There is no thought of personal comfort and safety, there is simply obedience. This is our next attitude.

The apostles obediently preach Christ though suffering persecution.

Does this kind of obedience characterize our lives? There is virtually no way they wont be caught and re-arrested. Yet, At God’s command, they do not hesitate to incur greater wrath that they might preach Christ!

iii. The disciples teach v. 21

The end of v. 21 is almost humorous. The Sanhedrin as well as the elders or senate of Israel all gather and send for the disciples. Of course we, as the readers, know that they are gone! In fact, they are out doing the very thing they were arrested for! This is faithfulness and obedience at their finest. Do we display these traits?

The reason for the arrest is jealousy. An angel releases them. That brings to…

3. The Resumption Of Arrest And Interrogation vv. 22-32

What they disciples must have expected happens. They are arrested once again and brought before the council. All they are trying to do is be faithful and obedient in service for Christ. Yet they are suffering. How will they handle it? We find out beginning with a guard…

a. Reporting the release of the disciples vv. 22-25

The council actually receives two reports in these verses. The first report is of the empty cell in vv. 22-23. The officers who went to fetch the disciples seem confused because though the disciples were gone, the prison was still secure! Imagine their surprise! The prison is shut, the guards are in place, but the prison is empty! I want to highlight this for a moment. In v. 19 it states that the angel “opened the prison doors”. This miraculous release highlights the power of God because the guards are never aware of anything! Though the door opens and the apostles leave, the guards are unaware and in the morning everything is as it was! This is one of those times where how we handle Scripture is vital. There are those who do not believe in the supernatural. Therefore they reinterpret or discount these sections of Scripture. Passages like this where there are obviously supernatural elements at play are restated to be merely authorial embellishments. The problem then becomes, who determines what is reliable Scripture and what is added by the author? Well, we do. That places the interpreter above Scripture! The Word of God reveals that every single word of Scripture is inspired. It is breathed out by God exactly how He wanted it! We must submit ourselves to Scripture even when our experience says something is impossible. After all, nothing is impossible with God ()!

i. Reporting an empty cell vv. 22-23

The first report is of the empty cell in vv. 22-23. The officers who went to fetch the disciples seem confused because though the disciples were gone, the prison was still secure! Imagine their surprise! The prison is shut, the guards are in place, but the prison is empty! I want to highlight this for a moment. In v. 19 it states that the angel “opened the prison doors”. This miraculous release highlights the power of God because the guards are never aware of anything! Though the door opens and the apostles leave, the guards are unaware and in the morning everything is as it was! This is one of those times where how we handle Scripture is vital. There are those who do not believe in the supernatural. Therefore they reinterpret or discount these sections of Scripture. Passages like this where there are obviously supernatural elements at play are restated to be merely authorial embellishments. The problem then becomes, who determines what is reliable Scripture and what is added by the author? Well, we do. That places the interpreter above Scripture! The Word of God reveals that every single word of Scripture is inspired. It is breathed out by God exactly how He wanted it! We must submit ourselves to Scripture even when our experience says something is impossible. After all, nothing is impossible with God (Matt. 19:26)!

In v. 24 those present in the Sanhedrin chamber are left scratching their heads! What is going to happen? Then, in v. 25 the second report comes in. “You know those guys you arrested for teaching in the temple? Well, they are in the temple again teaching the people!” There is no human explanation for this! First of all, how did they get out if the prison is locked up and the guards are in place? Secondly, if you escaped from prison why would you go out and continue do the very same thing that got you arrested in the first place? Not only are they doing the same thing, they are doing it in the same place!

2. The prison is secure v. 23

ii. Reporting the disciples teaching vv. 24-25

This is the boldness that the child of God has when walking in obedience to the Spirit of God! You can arrest us, imprison us, and command us to be silent but we will keep preaching and teaching Jesus until He returns! The challenge here is to ask ourselves if this is my attitude and your attitude. Are we the kind of men and women who will not be silent about Jesus?

Having discovered the disciples in the temple they are rearrested and brought to the council. We then see these leaders…

2. Teaching the people v. 25

Having discovered the disciples in the temple they are rearrested and brought to the council. We then see these leaders…

b. Requesting the reason for disobedience vv. 26-28

What is fascinating in these verses is the level of fear displayed. In v. 26 we have the soldiers acting carefully out of a fear of being stoned. Remember, according to v. 13, the apostles are highly esteemed by the people. So this fear is probably well founded. When it states that they “brought them without violence”, violence could also be translated force. This indicates that the apostles did not resist, but came willingly. Why? I believe they came willingly for two reasons, both are significant considerations for us today. The first reason is that we are to obey those in authority. Unless it is a matter of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, Scripture clearly reveals that we are to obey. This applies to believers today in a lot of areas! It is so easy to confuse our rights as American’s with our responsibility as Christians. There are rights that I have as an American that are not Biblical rights and therefore if the laws of this nation change I have a responsibility to obey them! Secondly, I believe the apostles come willingly because they want another chance to preach Christ to the Sanhedrin! Imagine being brought before the house, senate, or supreme court and being given the opportunity to preach the gospel! How awesome would that be? Would we take the opportunity? Would we display that boldness?

The captain is afraid of being stoned. The council members reveal that they are afraid of Jesus’ blood in vv. 27-28. The apostles are brought in and set before the council. The high priest then asks them why they continue to teach when they had been commanded not to. This is humorous because in 4:19-20 Peter and John told them they had to obey God and couldn’t help speaking about Christ.

The high priest states that they have filled Jerusalem with their doctrine! That’s a win right there! I’m not sure I would have told someone that they were being successful at doing what I told them not to. It’s like trying to discipline your child for lying but telling them they are really good at it. The high priest ends his statement by declaring that the apostles are trying to bring Christ’s blood on them. Let’s look at (S).

Matthew 27:24–25 NKJV

When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

The men sitting in the council chamber with the apostles had made this statement! Now they are afraid that it is coming to pass! The idea is of bringing the guilt of Jesus’ death on them. As if they were not already guilty!

The high priest is asking why they have disobeyed the command never to teach in Jesus’ name. This gives a perfect opportunity and so we find the disciples…

i. Fear of being stoned v. 26

ii. Fear of Jesus’ blood vv. 27-28

c. Responding with rigorous directness vv. 29-32

This response is theocentric meaning it is God-centered. There are four realities about God that are referenced here. First, He is the God we obey in v. 29. The apostles are unified in their response. Their response is simple and direct. We obey God, not men. When there is a conflict between the commands of God and those of men, God’s commands always win! This is the only disobedience allowed. As believers we should only be involved in civil disobedience if a command of men directly contradicts a command of God. Any other form of civil disobedience is sin. The point here is that we are to obey God. The challenge is that if we are disobeying God now, we will disobey when commanded to. Only as we walk in obedience will we be empowered to stand firm.

i. The God we obey v. 29

The second reality about God revealed here is that He is the God who raises in v. 30. The apostles personalize God here. He is the God of their fathers. The same God Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob served raised Jesus from the dead! Jesus, the one murdered on the Cross! The high priest just stated that the apostles intended to bring the guilt of Jesus death onto them. The apostles are saying “you are already guilty!” Talk about boldness! God raised Jesus from the dead.

ii. The God who raises v. 30

iii. The God who exalts v. 31

He is also the God who exalts in v. 31. God raised Jesus and exalted Him to the place of highest honor and authority, God’s right hand. This gives Jesus equal authority with the Father and is a declaration that He is God! He is Prince and Savior! “Prince” is the Greek word ἀρχηγός (archēgos) meaning originator or founder. Ruler, a person who rules or commands; especially understood as having primacy of authority.

Prince – ἀρχηγός (archēgos)

That is who Jesus is! He is the ruler, commander, and possessor of all authority. He is also the Savior. He is the one who delivers from the bondage of sin! The apostle’s boldly declare to these religious leaders that Jesus came to give Israel repentance. He came to change their mind and direction through His death and resurrection! He came to forgive their sins! Through Him alone comes repentance and forgiveness of sin! This is the gospel! In the Sanhedrin. Before the chief priest and all the leaders the apostles are proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Through Him alone comes repentance and forgiveness of sin! This is the gospel! In the Sanhedrin. Before the cheif priest and all the leaders the apostles are proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ!

The apostles reveal that they do this because He is the God who gives in v. 32. God has given us the responsibility of witnessing of Him! He has also given us the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is given to all who trust in Christ. Through the believer He witnesses of what Christ has done. In light of Joel’s prophecy about the Holy Spirit the apostles are also making a further claim of Jesus being the Messiah.

Several times in this section we have mentioned our third attitude.

The apostles stand before the Sanhedrin and preach Christ with boldness.

Would we be this bold? Are we willing to obey God when to do so brings suffering, pain, and loss? The only way we can know is by being bold now! Obeying now! If we are ashamed of Christ now, nothing will change when Christ is outlawed.

The reason for their arrest is Jealousy. An angel released them. They were rearrested and boldly proclaimed Christ. What will happen now? This question is answered as we learn…

4. The Reasoning Of Release And Prohibition vv. 33-42

This is one of those situations where I believe the disciples are ready to die. They have disobeyed the commands of the Sanhedrin and been arrested for it. They were released by an angel and went right back to preaching. Now they have answered the question about why they disobeyed by preaching the very gospel they have been forbidden from proclaiming! They have no reason to expect the council to act with leniency. Especially considering that these are the very same men who killed Jesus! What find is the council concerning itself with…

a. Determining the source of the work vv. 33-39

Within the reaction of the council to the apostle’s words there are two very different reactions recorded. First is the reaction of the Sadducees in v. 33. The word picture here is of this statement ripping them apart. If what the apostles are saying is true, then these men are responsible for the death of the Messiah! “It can’t be true, it won’t be true, let’s kill them!” This is exactly how they treated Jesus! And He foretold that the same treatment would be given to those who follow Him. Look at (S).

i. The reaction of the council vv. 33-34

1. Reaction of the Sadducees v. 33

The word picture here is of this statement ripping them apart. If what the apostles are saying is true, then these men are responsible for the death of the Messiah! “It can’t be true, it won’t be true, let’s kill them!” This is exactly how they treated Jesus! And He foretold that the same treatment would be given to those who follow Him. Look at (S).

John 15:18–21 NKJV

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

In the midst of the angry, violent response by the Sadducees we are given the reaction of Gamaliel in v. 34. Gamaliel’s name means “my recompenser is God”.

2. Reaction of Gamaliel v. 34

Gamaliel’s name means “my recompenser is God”.

This is Saul of Tarsus’ mentor. Meaning that Saul who was later called Paul was likely present at this time. This may have even been what sparked his vehement campaign against them. There are two things to specifically take note of. First is that Gamaliel is a Pharisee. Verse 17 declared that the chief priest and all his group were Sadducees. This makes Gamaliel somewhat of an outsider on the council. Yet the second thing to note is that he is respected by the people! Here is a man of great learning and influence. He stands up and commands the apostles to be put outside so he can speak with the council.

Gamaliel begins to speak in v. 35 and gives a recital that enforces several points. There is a need for caution. Acting without caution will result in bad decisions. He commands them to carefully consider what they are going to do with these men. He then gives several illustrations. In v. 36 the point is that if conceit is the motivation behind the apostles preaching as it was with Theudas, this movement will fail. Theudas’ name means “God-given”. He seems to have taken this a little too literally. No matter how many Theudas had following him, they scattered when he died. If political revolt is the motivation, as it was for Judas of Galilee in v. 36, this will also fail. Judas’ name means “he shall be praised”. He gained support in a revolt over the census, but when he died everyone who followed him scattered as well. Having given these considerations he gives his reasoning behind the command for caution in vv. 38-39.

If conceit is the motivation as it was with Theudas, this will fail.

If political revolt is the motivation, as it was for Judas of Galilee, this will also fail.

Having given these considerations he gives his reasoning behind the command for caution in vv. 38-39.

1. Caution v. 35

2. Conceit v. 36

3. Counting v. 37

Gamaliel’s words in these verses discuss plans that fail versus plans that are flawless. Plans that fail are presented in v. 38. Gamaliel’s advice is straightforward. Keep away from these men and let them alone! I love the perspective here. If the plan or work is of men, just let it self-destruct! You don’t even have to do anything. This is both encouraging and cautionary. It’s encouraging because if something isn’t of God, we can be confident that any success from it will be temporary. It is cautionary because we need vigilance to ensure we are not working and planning in our own strength. If it is of men, it will fail. Flawless plans are presented in v. 39. If something is of God, it cannot be overthrown! If you fight against God you will always lose. Added to that is the reality that none of us should want to fight against God! Gamaliel provides us with a very wise and interesting perspective. What he says is still true. If it’s of men, it fails. Only what is of God will prevail.

After receiving this advice, we find the Sanhedrin…

5:38-39 – Very wise and interesting perspective. Still true. If it’s of men, it fails. Only what is of God will prevail.

1. Plans that are failures v. 38

2. Plans that are flawless v. 39

b. Directing the silence of the workers vv. 40-42

The council believes that since commanding them to stop didn’t work last time, they should beat them and… command them to stop again in v. 40. This is an attempt to suppress the disciples. Though they agree with Gamaliel, they feel that the disciples still need to be taught a lesson. This beating was usually done with fists but could also have been performed with rods or whips. Regardless, this is a highly painful and unpleasant message about what will take place if the preaching doesn’t stop. The opposition to the gospel has escalated to persecution. The apostles are again commanded not to speak in Jesus’ name. They are then released.

You might expect there to be some caution. Some expressions of “that’s not fair”. What we find in v. 41 is rejoicing! They leave the council chamber and are joyful because thy have been counted worthy of suffering! This wording depicts suffering as a privilege that is given to those who are faithful! Only the obedient are beaten and imprisoned. That’s the attitude here. They suffered shameful treatment for the name of Christ. Their boldness in proclaiming all that Christ is and has done resulted in imprisonment and beating. Yet the accept it and rejoice in it because it is for the Christ!

Literally v. 42 begins with “and every single day”. Every single day they were preaching in the temple and teaching from house to house! “Preaching” is the Greek word εὐαγγελίζω (euangelizō) meaning proclaim good news. To convey the Gospel. To bring the good news of Jesus’ divine dominion and way of salvation by His death and resurrection.

Preaching – εὐαγγελίζω (euangelizō)

These evangelistic messages were likely preached in the temple while the teaching was done in the homes. “Teaching” is the Greek word διδάσκω (didaskō) meaning teach; instruct. To impart skills or knowledge to.

Teaching – διδάσκω (didaskō)

This was done with those who have already believed and were meeting in homes. The point is that the suppression intended by the Sanhedrin has had the opposite effect! The beating and command for silence have resulted in rejoicing and even bolder preaching! This highlights our final attitude.

The apostles courageously preach the gospel despite pain, suffering, and persecution.

What would be our response? Would this treatment silence us? Or would we, like the apostles, experience joy and greater boldness? Would we courageously preach Christ no matter what?

i. Attempted suppression v. 40

ii. Accepted suffering v. 41

iii. Asserted Savior v. 42

Conclusion

What is it that makes them worthy to suffer?Their faithfulness. They heal, preach, and minister regardless of threats. Their obedience. God says preach, they preach. They are arrested. An angel releases them and says preach, they preach. Their boldness. They are re-arrested and interrogated. They preach the gospel to those who opposing them! Their courage. They must obey God and not men. They are beaten, commanded not to preach, and released. They continue preaching and teaching daily.

They are commanded not to preach but they must obey God and not men. They are beaten, commanded not to preach, and released. They continue preaching.

Are we faithful?

If threatened, would we continue faithfully serving Christ?

Are we obedient?

God has called us to preach the gospel. Are we?

Are we bold?

If arrested and interrogated, would we preach to those who oppose us?

Are we courageous?

In a world whose hostility to the gospel is growing, will we continually preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ?

This week may we faithfully, obediently, boldly, and courageously preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

May we be counted worthy to suffer.

“Here Am I, Lord”

Related Media

Related Sermons