Jealousy & Joy- Acts 5:17-42

In general, there are two responses to the LORD: acceptance or rejection. That is, these are the fundamental responses to God, though each one is like a tree trunk with many branches stemming off in all sorts of directions.

For example, acceptance can be demonstrated in whole hearted obedience and unquestioned loyalty (someone like the apostle Paul). Others may demonstrate an inconsistent acceptance, like the apostle Peter.

For those who reject the LORD, we can observe an equally varied display. For Satan, his rejection is evidenced throughout the Scriptures with the utmost hatred and disdain. Others display an indifference, such as Pilate.

Within these two responses, though general they be, are the responses of every single human being capable of responding. We see these two responses display in the second half of Acts chapter 5. We learn much from their responses, as we have been promised in 2 Tim. 3:16-17. But what exactly do we learn? Let us look at this passage now and see.

I. Jealousy of the Religious Leaders- Acts 5:17-40

The rejection of the religious leaders provides insights into the minds and actions of those who oppose God. We see a whole gamut of rejection, ranging from imprisonment and flogging to indifference. Let’s break this lengthy passage down into more manageable bites.

A. Their Jealousy Centered Around Power- 5:17-18

This can be seen in the Gospels as well, but the religious leaders continue their struggle for power by once again imprisoning the apostles. Apparently a short time expires between the events of Acts chapter 4 and chapter 5.

We will comment on this more momentarily, but one of the reasons that individuals fail to follow the LORD is they do not want to relinquish their authority.

B. Their Jealousy Could Not Stop the Gospel-5:19-25

This theme has appeared frequently in this book already, and will continue to appear. God’s command to His apostles in Matt. 28:18-20 will be accomplished because, as He reminds the apostles, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Their command back in 3:18 has routinely been ignored. They could not stop the Gospel.

A brief word about the response of the apostles: they were not arrogant or rude to the leaders, they practiced what Peter would eventually write in 1 Pet. 3:13-22. If we are not careful, we can confuse our “rights” with our responsibilities to serve the Lord with gentleness. The gospel cannot be stopped, however jealous people might respond.

C. Their Jealousy Led to Fear- 5:26

The response of the leaders demonstrated their fear. In fact, notice the difference in the way that the apostles were handled as compared to 4:3. A negative response to God prevents human beings from having that peace that passes all understanding (see Phil. 4:6-7).In other words, rejection of God leads to fear and unrest. Is this not demonstrated throughout all human societies? Unfortunately, it is all too common in the life of the Christian as well.

Let me read you a rather lengthy quote from Brian Borgman on this emotional response, (read lengthy quote on 128, mention brief quote in sermon notes):

“The Bible leaves us no room for debate. The source of fear, worry, and anxiety is unbelief. The unbelief is specific, spelled out for us by Isaiah and Jesus [Isaiah 41:13-14; Matthew 6:25-34].”—Brian Borgman

Rejection of God comes at great personal, present cost as much as it does eternal cost.

D. Their Jealousy Demonstrated Their Conviction- 5:27-28

The leaders, after noting the apostles failure to obey, state, “You are determined to make us guilty of this man [i.e., Jesus’s] blood.” What seems to be an odd statement is actually quite telling. Listen to their words in Matthew 27:25 at the mock trial of Jesus, “All the people answered, ‘His blood is on us and our children!’”

They were convicted, and rather than acknowledge their guilt and implication in the death of Jesus, they buckle down. They refused to bow their knees to God. You can see this in the words of the apostles (obey, see 5:32).

E. Their Jealousy Opened the Door for the Gospel- 5:29-32

The apostles, particularly Peter, share the gospel with these jealous leaders. They wanted them to be saved from their sins. While this is hard, particularly in the midst of persecution and opposition. But we must always remember the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. The apostles took this opportunity to share the Gospel with the very people who killed the Messiah.

F. Their Jealousy was Balanced with Human Reason- 5:33-39

Gamaliel, a leading rabbi at this point, offers some sage advice building on the experiences of two revolutionary leaders. Gamaliel is honored among the Jewish people even today. No doubt he was an incredible man, being a part of this court, but also notably wise (see also Acts 22:3). He cautions against hasty action, informing the council that it might be better to wait it out.

He mentions a man name Theudas and a man named Judas the Galilean. While not much is known about Theudas, Judas lead a revolt and was ultimately killed.

Gamaliel summarizes his views in verses 38-39.

G. Their Jealousy Manifested It Through Physical Harm- 5:40

The leaders repeat their prohibition and then “flog” the apostles. See 2 Cor. 11:24 and Deut. 25:3.

We see much in this lengthy account of the response of the leaders. By way of application, let me suggest points worthy of our consideration. First, we must evaluate our responses in light of our hearts, not our outward actions. Now, these leaders visibly manifested their rejection, but we are too often guilty of inward rejection. We visibly follow Christ, but our lives (particularly our private lives) tend to betray us.

I also see a second point of application for us. It, too, is a form of rejection, but it is subtle. It is like that tiny portion of poison in an otherwise yummy snack to rats. It is failure to commit. This is what I see in Gamaliel’s response. He is neither for or against the apostles at this point. “Time will tell,” in other words. Imagine how horrific this mindset has been for people throughout time.

Imagine this indifference to the Jewish people in Germany. Imagine this indifference to the plights and suffering of African Americans here in our nation. Imagine this indifference to the abortion industry. We must be aware of this, because too often people in the pew are indifferent and not moved to action or decision.

Contrasted with this jealousy, though, is the joy of the persecuted apostles.

II. Joy of the Persecuted Apostles- Acts 5:41-42

We see an odd response on part of the apostles. I say odd, but perhaps the better description would be not a normal, human response. They were just beaten (i.e., whipped) , more than likely 39 times each, and released with the same command not to teach or preach about Jesus anymore.

What is their response? Outrage? Anger over the injustice? Fear? Sadness? No, the apostles praise God for being persecuted. They were practicing Matthew 5:11-12 (BLUE TAB).

When we respond positively to the LORD, when we submit our wills to His, we experience joy. This is no different than what we have discussed in our study of the book of Philippians. There are two primary ways that they express joy.

A. Joy in God- 5:41

They were not rejoicing in the experience of pain itself, but in experiencing pain on behalf of the Name. This is a way to refer to Jesus, but it is an interesting way. Several times in these chapters (1-5), we have reference to the name of Jesus. In the instances leading up to this portion, only once is the phrase “the name” used without the addition of Jesus, in 4:17. In Acts 2:21 peter connects “the name of the LORD” with Jesus.

What this phrase? Interestingly, the Jewish people, out of respect for the Name of God (see Ex. 20:7), would refer to God as “The Name” (Ha Shem). Could there be a possible link to YHWH of the OT and Jesus in the New? I think, based on Peter’s sermon from chapter two, verse 21 specifically, we can conclude this connection is solid.

However, the main point is that they suffered for Jesus. They “had been counted worthy of suffering for disgrace for the name.”

B. Joy in Life- 5:42

I define this as “Joy in Life” because it demonstrates that for the apostles and early believers, this was a way of life. Day by day, regularly, consistently, the apostles and believers lived the life to which Jesus called them.

Their life revolved around Jesus (teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah). In other words, the Scriptures determined their teachings and beliefs. There is joy in learning and growing in Jesus, particularly as it begins to change your life with other people.

Their life in Jesus demonstrated itself in every avenue: in the Temple and House to House. In other words, there were no false separation of religious and secular life. Their lives were intwined with the gospel. There is a joy connected with that.

CONCLUSION

What is your response? We tend to think solely in terms of salvation. But we would be remiss to limit it only to salvation. Each day we have a response to the LORD, each time we pray, each time we read the Scriptures, each time we hear the Word sung or preached. Do we respond negatively, in disbelief, or positively, in obedience?

We must consider our hearts carefully, because sin is so deceptive that we can think our attendance at church demonstrates a positive response to the LORD.