Acts: The Gospel Unleashed Part 9

Intro:

Acts 5:17–21 ESV

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.

Acts 5:

The Sadducees represented the liberal sect of Judaism. They accepted only the Torah (the law) as Scripture, and they did not believe in angels, supernatural gifts, the resurrection, eternal life, heaven, or hell.

Mohler, R. Albert. For You: Charting the birth of the church . The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.

Whenever and wherever the gospel is preached someone is going to be upset. Whenever and wherever the gospel is believed someone is going to be disturbed.

Mohler, R. Albert. Acts 1-12 For You: Charting the birth of the church . The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.

Hell will stop at nothing in silencing the witness of the people of God.

I can almost imagine Luke laughing as he is writing these events down. The irny of these men locked up by the ruling class, who deny the supernatural including the resurrection and angles, who are set free by and ‘angle’ under the order of the resurrected Lord.

You need to remember:

Men may rule but Christ overrules.

The gospel can be locked up but it can’t be contained.

While we may be quarantined, the Great Commission is not. Our Gospel is more relevant and necessary than ever. The Gospel literally means "good news," and good news is best when life is the darkest.

As other idols of this world prove hopelessly insufficient, our Gospel offers a hope higher than the heavens, a hope deeper than any recession, a hope that outlasts death itself.

JD Greear

Rodney Stark

History teaches us that a historic plague struck the Roman Empire in A.D. 250, killing an average of 5,000 people every day. At this time Christians were less than 2 percent of the entire population. Their numbers were growing, but statistically speaking, they were nearly insignificant.

There was a historic plague that struck the Roman Empire in A.D. 250

Historian Rodney Stark describes how God used a moment like this in the early days of the church to expand the Gospel in unprecedented ways.

In A.D. 250, an enormous plague struck the Roman Empire, killing an average of 5,000 people every day. At this time Christians were less than 2 percent of the entire population. Their numbers were growing, but statistically speaking, they were nearly insignificant.

Yet despite their numbers, their response to this pandemic won admiration and a greater following. Dionysius, bishop of Corinth, reported:

"Most of our brother Christians showed unbounded love and loyalty, never sparing themselves and thinking only of one another. Heedless of danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need and ministering to them in Christ, and with them departed this life serenely happy. ... Many, in nursing and curing others, transferred their death to themselves and died in their stead."

If you are a believer:

Christ has broken your bondage that you might bear witness of him.

Don’t go hide - go speak!

Acts 5:21–26 ESV

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.

Those who deny the supernatural don’t know how to deal with God’s supernatural intervention.

V. 24 (perplexed) διαπορέω (diaporeō) - “perplexed be at a loss, to not know what to do”

The Religious leaders found themselves at a moment of world view crises.

These learned men were dumbfounded.

What do you do when your world view doesn’t work?

That’s the conundrum that millions are facing today. They are holding to a world view that simply doesn’t hold true.

NOTICE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Acts 5:27–28 ESV

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.”

THE SANHEDRIN WHICH IS THE JEWISH HIGH COURT.

ACTS 5:

THEY WERE CONVICTED

Acts 5:28 ESV

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.”

Oh that we might be guilty of filling Rehobeth, Taylor, Dothan, Houston County with the gospel.

Acts 5:29–40 ESV

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.

Acts 5:29-

Two things to keep in mind

Believers are to submit to government as an authority given by God.

(Paul in & Jesus in )

Believers are not to submit to commands that contradict the word of God.

Notice how the disciples are forced to choose between obedience to God and submission to their government.

Acts 5:41–42 ESV

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.

Acts 5:

We must start speaking about Jesus!

We must never stop!