Fill Your Jerusalem

Title: Fill Your Jerusalem

Passage:

Acts 5:17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

Acts 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

Acts 5:19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

Acts 5:20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

Acts 5:21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Acts 5:22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

Acts 5:23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

Acts 5:24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

Acts 5:25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

Acts 5:26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

Introduction:

What has happened to this point in the church? How did we get to the point where they were taken by the religious leaders and arrested for preaching Christ?

Acts 3 Peter heals the lame man that was at the gate of the Temple, this man was lame from his birth and used to ask for money as people passed by. He was a well-known man; he would sit there every day and beg for money that he needed to live. He looked Peter and John as they walked by and asked that familiar question for money. They responded that they had nothing but by the name of Christ healed him. He stood up and his feet and ankle bones were healed which was a miracle. He was able to jump and praise God, which caused a scene and a stir amongst the people that knew him. It says that he held on to Peter and he preached a sermon and told them to repent so that their sins may be blotted out.

Acts 4:1-4 As they preaching the word as they were instructed to do, they were arrested by the religious council and were thrown in prison. They arrested them because they were grieved because they were preaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Sadducees: One of the doctrines which the Sadducees maintained was, that there was no resurrection of the dead. Hence, they were particularly opposed to the apostles for preaching it, because they gave so clear proof that Jesus had risen and were thus spreading the doctrine of the resurrection among the people.

Acts 4:5-7 Peter and the others are questioned by religious leaders; they were more than likely jealous and angry all at the same time.

Acts 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, by what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Acts 4:8-12 Peter’s response to this question led him on a short discourse of the Gospel of Christ and he called them out for being the one that crucified Jesus.

Acts 4:13-22 The council and high priests were blown away by the way that Peter and John’s speech and how they able to speak with such knowledge and authority. They noted that they had been with Jesus and had learned from Him. They could not deny the miracle that had taken place either when the lame man that had been healed and their only course of action at this time was to threaten them.

Peter responds that they cannot help but speak the things that they had seen and heard. This led them to further threats and anger because they could not find anything that they could punish them with. The miracle was so amazing because it says that he was 40 years old when this happened.

Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Act 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

Act 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

There is something about persecution that brings the church together, it is said that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. This persecution brought unity to the church and strengthened the walk of the believers in their daily lives. They had faith and learned to trust in God and let Him meet their needs as well as take care and protect them.

Act 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

Act 5:13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

Act 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

Act 5:15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid themon beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

Act 5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Body:

I. The Apostles Arrested (vs. 17-28)

A. The Disciples Released (vs. 17-21)

Acts 5:17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

- Yet again they were preaching, and healing and many multitudes were following them. This caused the religious council to be moved to action yet again. The high priest

- Indignation: Zelos, meaning anger, jealousy, The word translated “jealousy” can also mean zeal, and there may well have been an element of zeal in their determination to stamp out this growing messianic movement before its increasing popularity aroused the concern of the Roman authorities and led to severe reprisals.

Acts 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

- He was ultimately responsible for the proper maintenance of the temple precincts and its cultus, and so it was very much on his turf where the Christians were having all their success (cf. v. 12b). His cohorts in the local party of Sadducees would have shared his concern for preserving the peace against such popular movements and supported him in putting the apostles in the public jail (v. 18). One should not miss the irony of their being placed in the public jail, i.e., openly and for everyone to see. Soon they would be unable to find these very ones who were so openly placed in jail.

Acts 5:19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

Acts 5:20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

- The emphasis is placed on the total helplessness of the Jewish authorities. In this way the lesson of Gamaliel’s speech is illustrated vividly beforehand— “If it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men” (v. 39).

Acts 5:21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

B. The Guards Astonished (vs. 22-25)

Acts 5:22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

Acts 5:23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

Acts 5:24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

- Now the interesting part of the story begins. The scene shifts to the Council chambers where the Sanhedrin had gathered for its morning session. The first item on the agenda was the interrogation of the apostles; so officers were sent to the jail to fetch them. But they were not there. The officers hastened back to deliver the startling news. The prison doors were securely locked. The guards were duly standing at their posts (and thus evidently awake). Yet there was no one inside. How in the world did they get out through locked gates, past the guards? The Council was at a total loss.

- The strange unexplained escape filled them with terror; but this new incident would only serve to excite the popular mind, already so much moved in favour of the new sect.

Acts 5:25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

C. The Council’s Question (vs. 26-28)

Acts 5:26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

- Finally someone arrived with the good news, or was it bad news? The prisoners hadn’t totally escaped. They were on the temple grounds, back to their old tricks, teaching the people. Now the captain, the sagan, decided he had better handle the matter personally. After all, he was second in rank to the high priest himself and ultimately responsible for order on the temple grounds. Unusual circumstances like this had best not be left to lesser officials. So he went with his officers to gently persuade the apostles to accompany him to the Council chambers. He personally might have desired their execution by the usual procedure of stoning, but at this point he was more concerned about being stoned to death himself by the people, who held the apostles in the highest regard (cf. v. 13). One must not miss the irony in this entire fiasco.

- The Sanhedrin was totally thwarted in its designs, totally helpless to control the situation. All was in God’s hands. The only reason the apostles finally appeared before the Council was their own willingness to do so. And they were willing to do so because the events of the night had convinced them once more that they were very much in God’s hands.

Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

- The trial finally began for Peter and John with them being brought in front of the high priest in his council. Their accusations so to say were two-fold.

· They were told to no longer teach in Jesus’s name. They had filled Jerusalem with the doctrine of the resurrection

· They were angry because they were being blamed for His death and it was an accurate accusation

II. The Apostles Preach (vs. 29-33)

A. Peter’s Obedience (vs. 29)

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

- This is an answer to their first accusation that they brought before Peter and John

- Who are we to obey? Who is our master? Who is our guide? We need to be engaged with Christ through His word and prayer. We need not to follow the council of man, especially those who do not want us to preach and spread the Gospel.

- Peter here commences his defence with the same words which he had made use of before, when the Sanhedrim dismissed the apostles with threats of future punishment. He took up the same solemn argument now a second time; it was as though he said, ‘I told you before when you threatened me, we must obey God rather than men,’ thinking, no doubt, now of his Master’s voice from heaven by His angel, the night before, bidding him stand and preach publicly in the Temple.

B. Peter Preaches Jesus (vs. 30-32)

- This is the answer to their second accusation

- He plainly calls them out and says that they slew and crucified Jesus Christ whom God raised up. He was not pulling any punches but was looking at his accusers in the face and telling them exactly what he thought about the whole situation.

- Why does Peter refer to the cross as a tree? Because he is drawing an association from Deu 21:22-23, where it says that a person hanged from a tree is cursed by God. Peter is bringing attention to the magnitude of their rejection of Jesus, pointing out that they killed him in the worst way possible, both from a Roman perspective (the cross) and a Jewish perspective (the tree association).

Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

- Constituted King and Messiah in heaven. Raised up from his condition of humiliation to the glory which he had with the Father before the world was.

- Not at his right hand, though he is exalted to it, and is set down at it, but with, or by his right hand; that is, by his power: for being by him raised from the dead, he was exalted to the highest heavens, and placed in human nature at the right hand of God, on the same throne with him, crowned with glory and honour; and having a name above every name, and all power and authority both in heaven and in earth given him,

- The right hand among the Hebrews was often used to denote “power”; and the expression here means, not that he was exalted to the right hand of God. but by his power. He was raised from the dead by his power, and borne to heaven, triumphant over all his enemies. The use of the word “right hand” to denote “power” is common in the Scriptures:

- Prince and Savior: The leader or director in the way and deliverer or preserver. The word σωτηρ comes from σωω to save, deliver, preserve, escape from death or danger, bring into a state of security or safety.

- Repentance: a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done. They are called to repent, turn from the old life, have a change of mind toward Christ and trust in Him for their salvation.

Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

- Peter here says that they are witnesses of these things, and he definitely was because he walked with Jesus 3 years, and on the day of Pentecost God poured out and gave the Holy Spirit to the people.

C. The Council’s Anger (vs. 33)

Acts 5:33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

- They were cut to the heart: The word used here properly denotes “to cut with a saw”; and as applied to the “mind,” it means to be agitated with “rage” and “indignation,” as if wrath should seize upon the mind as a saw does upon wood, and tear it violently, or agitate it severely.

III. The Apostle Rejoice (vs. 34-42)

A. The Council’s Conference (vs. 34-39)

- Gamaliel was a doctor in the law which was an expert, and he was the teacher of the Apostle Paul one day. He was different from the Sadducees wherein he believed in the resurrection of the dead. He had a great reputation for being an elder and an experienced theologian, he was well respected and trusted. He told them to put away the disciples while they talked and discussed the events that were taking place.

Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

- He reminds them of a previous man that claimed to be the Messiah and what happened to him was that he was killed and his followers disbursed.

Acts 5:35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

Acts 5:36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

Acts 5:37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

- He now encourages them to be careful about what they might be fighting against so hard could be of God. He told them that to that if it was of God than they would never be able to hurt or overthrow it and that they would be fighting against God Himself by hurting and persecuting them.

Acts 5:38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

Acts 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

B. The Council’s Command (vs. 40)

- Again another threat not to teach and preach in the name of Jesus but this time they were beaten, the anger had now been escalated to violence from where it was at just previous with them coming in and taking them and placing them in prison. They had wanted to kill them but God spared them through Gamaliel and they were let off with some physical and verbal abuse.

Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

C. The Disciples Excitement (vs. 41-42)

Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

- They rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus Christ. It means they were following the commandment of God to preach and teach the Gospel. The Gospel in itself is offensive, we do not need to be offensive while speaking it but rather we should speak the truth in love. They had lived us to the Great Commission because they were stirring up Jerusalem with the Gospel. Jesus told them with the message they preached that they would be persecuted and that must have been confirmation to them that they had been faithful to the words of Christ.

Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

- They ceased not, that means that they did not stop but kept up and continued to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

I. The Apostles Arrested (vs. 17-28)

II. The Apostles Preach (vs. 29-33)

III. The Apostle Rejoice (vs. 34-42)

Where do we go once, we see the example of the disciples as they followed the Great Commission of Jesus Christ? Are we going to follow in obedience just like they did? Peter and John were considered as ignorant and unlearned men because they were not formally trained through the religious schools of the day. They were just rugged fisherman who had walked with Jesus and let Him pour into their lives and teach them. Where do we go from here?

1. Let God work in your life through your devotional life

2. Let your life and conversation follow that of the Gospel

3. Speak the Truth in love

4. Find joy in any suffering and persecution you will face for following Christ