Acts 5.12-25 - The Second Persecution of the Church - A picture of abuse

The Apostles Heal Many

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

The Apostles Persecuted

17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.

25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”

Introduction: this experience of Peter and John gives a clear picture of persecution.

1. The reasons for persecution (v. 12–16).

2. The persecution (v. 17–18).

3. The miraculous deliverance through and from persecution (v. 19–21).

4. The failure of persecution: utter perplexity and frustration (v. 21–25).

1 (5:12–16)

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

Persecution: the reasons for persecution are pictured in these verses. Wherever and whenever these things take place among believers, there will be persecution of one sort or another.

1. Signs and wonders and miracles cause persecution.

Note: there were many signs and wonders, not just a few. God works signs and wonders among His people to demonstrate clearly and without question …

• anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Heb. 11:6).

• that His Son, Jesus Christ, is alive and still actively at work upon the earth, saving and meeting the needs of men.

• that it is the people who trust God that God looks after and that possess His authority and power upon earth.

The world does not experience nor understand signs and wonders. The world does not understand how a life can be totally changed by the saving grace of Christ or how a miraculous healing of the body can take place. And what the world does not experience and understand, it often rejects, mocks, abuses, and persecutes. Why?

⇒ Because miracles show the ignorance and inability of man.

⇒ Because miracles show that there is a Being higher than man—a God to whom man must surrender and obey.

⇒ Because it disturbs men and reminds them of their great need.

2. The great unity among believers causes persecution.

The world fears the unity and binding force, that is, the “one accord” of believers.

They fear the force, the strength …

• of their doctrine, worship, and discipline

• of their purpose and mission

• of what so great a body bound together can do

“that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (Jn. 17:21).

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel” (Ph. 1:27).

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,” (Eph. 2:14).

3. The holding of public worship by true believers causes persecution.

The worship and praise of God is the foundational belief of believers.

The world often fears …

• the attraction and pull of sincere and committed worship

• the loyalty and commitment of sincere worship

4. Separation from the world and being different causes persecution.

The believers of the early church were different: their lifestyle, their commitment to God, their giving all they were and had above their necessities, their fear of God. Their commitment caused them to walk completely separate from the world and from the enjoyable pleasures it offered. The believers were radically different.

“No man dare join himself to them [the church]” (v. 13).

Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:17–18).

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Eph. 5:11).

“Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (1 Jn. 2:15–16).

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Ro. 12:1–2).

5. The commitment to reach out and evangelize the world causes persecution.

The world believes there are many ways to reach God. So long as the world’s religions allow men to live as they wish and still give them a sense of security, they are acceptable and considered to be of value. Therefore, the commitment and mission of true believers, that there is only one way to God, is considered narrow by the world. The world mocks and opposes the idea that Christ is the only Savior of the world. The world rejects and does its best to erase the message of Christ from off the earth.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16).

“Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn. 6:68).

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (Jn. 8:24).

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2:2).

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11).

6. The reaching out and mobilizing of multitudes causes persecution.

The world fears large crowds who are different and separated from it. Even if the crowds mean no harm, even if the crowd is out to help the world, the world fears it. Believers are different in a way the world does not want, that is, different in morality and righteousness, giving and sacrificing—sacrificing even to the point of giving all one is and has.

“But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.” (Acts 4:4).

“the Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” (Acts 11:21).

“It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: but when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it” (Mk. 4:31–32).

“Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Is. 9:7).

7. The meeting of man’s needs causes persecution.

True believers see the world as being in desperate need, both physically and spiritually. Therefore, they give all they are and have above their own necessities to meet those needs.

The world …

• mocks and ridicules a commitment that demands all a person has, feeling that giving some is enough, even if millions of people are still left suffering.

• fears the example of a commitment so deeply made, lest their own consciences (salved by giving some) be convicted.

• dislikes being reminded and told they are sinful in their storing up and hoarding.

Therefore, the world approves of some needs being met by some commitment and some giving. But they reject the demand of Christ, the demand that insists upon total commitment and sacrifice.

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself [all he is and has] and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk. 9:23).

“Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee” (Mk. 10:28).

“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” (Lk. 14:33).

Note that the people were clamoring to get to Peter, believing if they could just fall under his shadow they would be healed.

Note: there is no mention that anyone was actually healed this way.

However, the implication is that some people were. If so, the same two ingredients that bring about healing miracles were at work: the Lord’s power and the faith of the sick. We must always remember that God cares and loves so much that He always honors a person’s faith. If a person had a faith so great that he really believed that Peter’s shadow carried the virtue and power of God, God would most likely heal the person. How wonderful the love and care of God!

“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”” (Mt. 17:20).

““Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” (Mt. 18:19).

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mk. 9:23).

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Lk. 11:9).

2 (5:17–18) Persecution: the persecution itself.

17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

Note two points.

1. The persecutors were the religionists and secular leaders of the world (see notes and Deeper Study # 1,2—Acts 4:1; Deeper Study # 2, 3–23:8). They were jealous (zelou), which means a boiling zeal and envy. They were consumed with a boiling anger and jealousy or envy over the preaching of Jesus. (See note—Acts 4:2–4 for discussion. See note and Deeper Study # 1—Mt. 12:10 for more discussion as to why the religionists feared and opposed Jesus so much.)

2. There was the persecution itself. They were arrested and jailed. This was an attempt to silence them through …

• restraint

• fright

• shame

Being opposed, actually arrested and jailed by the authorities, would be enough to restrain, frighten, and shame many preachers and believers.

Thought 1. The believer knows and has been forewarned that he will suffer persecution.

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also” (Jn. 15:20).

“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you” (Jn. 16:1–4).

“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake” (Ph. 1:29).

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).

“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (1 Jn. 3:13).

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Pt. 4:12–13).

3 (5:19–21) Deliverance: the miraculous deliverance through and from persecution.

19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.”

Peter and John’s situation was serious.

⇒ It was night.

⇒ They were behind prison doors.

⇒ They were doubly imprisoned: guards were also stationed outside the prison doors (v. 23).

⇒ They were to stand trial the next morning, a trial that could threaten their lives (v. 33).

Note three points.

1. God’s deliverance in this situation was through the miraculous working of an angel.

Scripture definitely says angels are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Heb. 1:14. See Deeper Study # 1, Angels—Heb. 1:4–14 for more discussion.) The point is this: God cares. He always cares about the troubling situations of His dear children. Therefore, He will do whatever is necessary to deliver His child through trouble (Ro. 8:28).

a. God sometimes delivers by giving His presence of love, joy, peace, and security so the believer can endure and minister while in the trial.

Paul is a dynamic example. He spent years in prison, but while there he was always witnessing and ministering (see note—Ph. 1:12–14).

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13).

“Fear thou not; For I am with thee: be not dismayed: for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Is. 41:10).

“Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb. 2:17–18).

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:15–16).

“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:6).

b. God sometimes delivers believers unto Himself, taking them on home to heaven when their ministry on earth is done. Sometimes the believer is to remain in the trial and die as a martyr or as a sufferer in the name of the Lord Jesus. Sometimes there is a need to reach some observer standing there witnessing the trial of the believer. The believer’s hope and faithfulness to the end is used by God to preach volumes to the observers. Through suffering, God proves His glorious love and power for His dear servant.

“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever” (2 Tim. 4:18).

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb. 2:14–15).

c. God sometimes delivers believers out and away from trouble. They can best serve the Lord by being free of the trial.

“Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:10).

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations [trials, trouble]” (2 Pt. 2:9).

“Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence” (Ps. 91:3).

“Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord” (Jer. 1:8).

2. God’s purpose for Peter and John was for them to “go, stand and speak” to the people again. The Greek is strong, demanding boldness and courage.

⇒ “Go”: go now, immediately.

⇒ “Stand”: take your stand; stand forth without reservation or hesitation.

⇒ “Speak”: proclaim, preach, teach—courageously, boldly, without fear.

⇒ “All the words of this life”: the whole gospel of salvation; the glorious message of the death and resurrection of Christ; not watering down or changing anything; not holding back; not trying to soften the message to make it more acceptable.

Note a significant fact: difficult assignments usually follow miracles. A heavy responsibility falls upon the man for whom God works a miracle. God frees His servant in order to perform a great work. Miracles perplex the world. God sees to it because He wants them to lead to the conviction and conversion of men.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God” (2 Tim. 1:8).

“These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” (Tit. 2:15).

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pt. 3:15).

3. The disciples obeyed, and they obeyed fully and completely, without hesitation. They obeyed as soon as they could. They arose “early in the morning” and entered the temple and taught.

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (Jn. 15:10).

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God” (2 Tim. 1:7–8).

4 (5:21–25) Persecution: the failure of persecution resulted in utter perplexity and frustration.

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”

The story of what happened next is an excellent picture of persecution whenever it is launched against Christ and His followers.

1. The persecutors (worldly court) convened to try the disciples.

2. The guards found them missing: they had been delivered out of the persecution. (As pointed out in the previous point, God always delivers His dear child out of the suffering of persecution, either through or away from it.)

3. The persecutors doubted (dieporoun): were perplexed; completely baffled; wondering; questioning; at a loss; thoroughly puzzled. They could not understand how the disciples could be delivered “out of their hand.” They were apprehensive about the growth of the new movement.

In the present situation, the authorities probably thought some of the guards had either willfully released the prisoners or else been careless while on duty.

4. The persecutors made an unbelievable discovery. The disciples had not fled for their lives like other escaped convicts would. They were “standing in the temple, and teaching the people.” They were demonstrating unbelievable behavior, not acting like other men. They were like a blazing fire on a rampage through a forest, unstoppable. The persecutors had never seen a conviction and hope like the disciples’, a conviction and hope totally different from that of any other man, a conviction and hope …

• that the resurrection of Jesus Christ had actually happened

• that men must believe the resurrection of Jesus Christ and repent to know God and to be saved

• that they must proclaim the gospel no matter the persecution

Thought 1. The behavior of true believers in persecution will always perplex and dumbfound the persecutors. The true believer’s trust and message of the living Lord cannot be stamped out. The believer has to proclaim and live for his Lord even in the face of persecution.

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (1 Pt. 4:16–19).

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Pt. 4:12–13).

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Pt. 5:10).