Acts 5:17-42 • Worthy To Suffer?

Picture with me what it was like for the apostles, religious leaders, the church and the other people around who witnessed the events.

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.

It was out of jealousy that the religious leaders had the apostles arrested.

We do not know which apostles or how many of them were arrested.

Some or all of the apostles were taken into custody.

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.

What would you do?

They did as the angel told them

Angels are God's messengers who serve Him

The apostles knew the command came from God

Obedience

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.

Everyone who they thought was important was there.

The prison was still locked up with guards posted.

What was it like for the officers when they could not find the apostles?

What about the guards?

It was death or imprisonment to let a prisoner escape.

The leaders worried about what the outcome would be.

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.

Picture what it was like to be told the apostles were in the temple preaching.

They had them taken into custody again but not by force for they feared the people.

The apostles went willingly.

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.”

They were still blind to who Jesus is.

They were guilty of having killed the Messiah.

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

The Bible teaches that the only time it is OK to disobey human law is when it contradicts God's Law.

Peter and the others wanted to obey God.

They did what God had told them to do.

They were His witnesses (Acts 2)

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.”

Peter proclaimed the heart of the Gospel - the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Stood as a witness for Christ.

The Holy Spirit confirms that Jesus is the Christ.

The Holy Spirit is given to all who follow Jesus in obedience.

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!”

Gamaliel was a respected teacher of the law.

Taught Saul who was later called Paul. (Acts 22:3)

Gave them terrible advice.

He was teacher of the law and should have known who Jesus was.

He should have told them to repent and be baptized like Peter had done.

Jesus' words to Nicodemus - “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?" (John 3:10)

The same can be asked of Gamaliel

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.

Beating - flogging (NASB)

Was severe

Typically 39 lashes when given by the Jews

41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

They rejoiced that they were counted worthy.

To suffer dishonor (shame-NASB)

Different cultures

Guilt-innocence cultures

Shame-honor cultures

Fear-power cultures

42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

I wish I could preach a whole sermon on that verse.

Today I wish to focus on being found worthy.

Are you worthy to suffer shame for His Name?

Are you following in obedience?

42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.