Persecution--> Unstoppable

Acts 5:12-42

The New International Version (Chapter 5)

The Apostles Heal Many12 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 Persecuted17 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.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Hook: LLWS- winning team, parade last Thursday 9/9, UH Wahine & men’s volleyball, Sports fans- love sports, barefoot football, baseball on streets, 3 brothers (4 boys!), despised language school, tennis, volleyball, swimming, (strongest sports-racquetball, tennis, basketball, baseball, swimming, volleyball, bowling, track & field,....weakest sport surfing, scuba diving, windsurfing, water skiing, golfing, cross country), bungee jumping (haven't sky dive, hang gliding, canoeing/kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, fishing) winning team, coach my boys baseball and soccer in GZ, no car, public transportation, Peter obeys, preaches, miracles, responses, imprisoned, miraculously released by angel of God, resume preaching

When’s last time jealous? Bigger, smarter, richer, prettier, more athletic, higher position, etc. How’s your outlook when things go well in the KOG, even though not own denomination? Chr movement growing, God working, healings, shadow, demon possession. +/- BG, interdenominational,

Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

v.18 Jailed for gospel

Ephesians 6:10–13 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

ILL: God’s angels protection- 3 times fell asleep at wheel driving, Kohala, VA , LA- 6/22

v.19 Angel- Doors opened and brought them out

Acts 12:6–10 “The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.”

v.24 wondering- baffled, perplexed,

v.26 afraid of people- people power, danger of being stoned

v.28 Guilty of man’s blood, v.30 J raised from dead, Prince and Savior

Acts III. Conclusion: Honoring or Dishonoring Jesus?

III. CONCLUSION

Honoring or Dishonoring Jesus?

How often we hear the name of Jesus today, and how rarely in connection with praise. The most crude and ignorant people somehow learn to curse by using the name of God’s Son. Because we live in a society like that, and because as Christians we must uphold and honor that name, we should ask God daily to give us courage and power to honor rather than dishonor Jesus’ name and his church. We should affirm with John Newton,

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear.

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fears.

Dear Name—the Rock on which I build, my shield, and Hiding Place,

My never-failing treasury with boundless stores of grace.

PRINCIPLES

• God reserves the right to use whatever punishment he wishes when sin occurs in the church.

• Sinning Christians do not always get the opportunity to repent and change their ways.

• Sometimes God gives his word great credibility and reception among alien crowds.

• Christians can be called upon to suffer painful physical abuse in the name of Jesus.

• No suffering should deter or defeat us in our efforts to live out the gospel and proclaim its saving truth.

APPLICATIONS

• Be open and honest with God and fellow believers at all times.

• Fear the great power of God which he can unleash against sin.

• Learn to proclaim the gospel message with simplicity and clarity.

• Never let civil authorities intimidate you with regard to your Christian faith.

• Trust God to deliver you from or in suffering.

Acts The Apostles Heal Many People / 5:12–16

2 Meanwhile, the apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. Solomon’s Colonnade was part of the temple complex built by King Herod the Great in an attempt to strengthen his relationship with the Jews. A colonnade is an entrance or porch supported by columns. Jesus taught and performed miracles in the temple many times. When the believers met regularly at the Temple, they were undoubtedly in close proximity to the same religious leaders who had conspired to put Jesus to death

APP: BEING COMMITTED The early church was blessed by the very presence of God. Undeniable miracles were taking place. The apostles were teaching eternal, life-changing truths. But a large number of people hung back. They refused to join the fellowship, opting instead to watch from a distance. Beware of this reluctance to commit, a natural human tendency. Being part of what God is doing in this world may mean hard work, heavy responsibility, harsh criticism, and possibly even danger. Those who refuse to jump in, however, miss out on untold blessings. They miss the fulfillment they were created to enjoy and settle instead for a mediocre, mundane existence on the spiritual sidelines. When it comes to church, don’t be a distant observer. Dive in! Commit! Be a part of something eternal.

Acts The Apostles Meet Opposition / 5:17–42

Detained again and commanded to stop speaking about Jesus, the apostles vowed to continue their relentless proclamation of the gospel, vowing to obey God above any human authority.

Not even a severe beating at the hands of the Jewish Council could dampen the apostles’ enthusiasm, lending credibility to Gamaliel’s observation that perhaps he and his colleagues were fighting a losing battle “against God” (5:38–39).

All I can say is I look for perpetual conflicts and struggles in this life, and I hope for no other peace, only a cross, while on this side of eternity.

George Whitefield

5:17–18 The high priest and his friends, who were Sadducees, reacted with violent jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the jail. The religious leaders did not listen and learn the gospel message that focused on their own Messiah; instead, they reacted to the apostles with violent jealousy. The word “jealousy” translates the word zelos, which can also mean “zeal.” The zeal of the religious leaders was to wipe out this new movement. Peter and the apostles were already commanding more respect than the religious leaders had ever received. In addition, the apostles could do the most amazing miracles, a power the high priest and his fellow Sadducees lacked. (For more on the Sadducees, see commentary on 4:1.) This event was occurring only weeks after Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, so the high priest would still have been Caiaphas, who had condemned Jesus to death, and the other men on the Council (Sadducees and Pharisees) would also be the same.

The key difference between the religious leaders and the apostles was that the religious leaders demanded respect and reverence for themselves, while the apostles’ goal was to bring respect and reverence to God. The apostles were respected not because they demanded it but because they deserved it. It was the jealousy of the Sadducees that drove the events of this chapter, the first being that the leaders arrested the apostles and put them in the jail.

DANGER! TROUBLE AHEAD!

The apostles experienced power to do miracles, great boldness in preaching, and God’s presence in their lives, yet they were not free from hatred and persecution. They were arrested, put in jail, beaten, and slandered by community leaders. Faith in God does not make troubles disappear; it makes troubles appear less frightening because it puts them in the right perspective. Don’t expect everyone to react favorably when you share something as dynamic as your faith in Christ. Some will be jealous, afraid, or threatened. Expect some negative reactions, and remember that you must be more concerned about serving God than about the reactions of people (see 5:29).

Acts (The Apostles Meet Opposition / 5:17–42)

AN UNSTOPPABLE WITNESS!Suppose someone threatened to kill you if you didn’t stop talking about God. You probably would be tempted to keep quiet. But consider the response of the apostles: after being threatened by powerful leaders, arrested, jailed, and miraculously released, they went right back to preaching. This was nothing less than God’s power working in and through them (4:13)! When we are utterly convinced of the truth of Christ’s resurrection, and when we know intimately the presence and power of his Holy Spirit, let us speak out for Christ.

New Testament 5:17–32—Arrested Again

5:28. The charge against the apostles is that they are trying to incite unrest against the municipal aristocracy which the Romans approved, by accusing them of responsibility for Jesus’ execution. (The Sanhedrin viewed Jesus’ execution as eliminating a revolutionary who was creating unrest.)

5:29–30. See comment on 4:19–20. The apostles claim that the Sanhedrin is responsible for the execution.

5:31. See comment on 3:15. The Sadducean leaders of the Sanhedrin might view the apostles’ claim that Jesus is a king after all, reigning for God and vindicated by him after the Sanhedrin had executed him, as an error; but more significantly in this case they would view this claim as a direct challenge to their political power and wisdom.

5:32. On witnesses see 1:8; the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of prophecy inspiring them to witness, supposed to be available only in the end time or only to the extremely pious. The apostles’ reply indicates that they do not regard the Sanhedrin as obedient to God.

5:33–42

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Apostles before the Council (5:17–42)

The message preached by the apostles had several essential elements in common.

1. They proclaimed that Scripture had been fulfilled. They consistently proved Jesus was the Christ in accordance with, rather than in contradiction to, Scripture. Their message of salvation had continuity with all God had been doing from creation on to save people. They did not bring a new religion but the climax of all God had promised.

2. The fulfillment came in the person of Jesus, whom they proclaimed as Messiah or Christ: Son of David and Son of God.

3. Salvation comes through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, who has ascended to the right hand of God from whence He will come again to judge the world.

4. Salvation consists in the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. When sin is taken away and the Holy Spirit comes in, a person has received eternal life.

5. The appropriate response to this gospel is repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus. Believers made this response public through baptism.

When the apostles took the message beyond the Jews, they had to lay a foundation that was unnecessary where people shared the same theological presuppositions. At Lystra and Athens, Paul had to begin by declaring the Creator God (14:15–17; 17:22–31).

Peter could speak to Jews in Jerusalem of Jesus as Lord, a holy title among the Jews. The Gentiles used the term “lord” very loosely.

To express the same divine title, Paul spoke of Christ as the Son of God. Peter did not explain the relationship between the death of Christ and the forgiveness of sins. The Jewish law made clear that atonement came through blood sacrifice. Peter did not need to explain It. For the Gentiles, however, Paul explained the relationship, especially in his letters, that Christ died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3).

Acts (The Apostles Meet Opposition / 5:17–42)

5:31 “God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.” Not only had God raised Jesus, he also had exalted him to his own right hand. “Right hand” signified the place of highest honor and authority. In ancient royal courts, the right side of the king’s throne was reserved for the person who could act in the king’s place. God “exalted” Christ to this position—for Christ, who had been killed by humans, has been raised to the highest position of power with God.The term “Prince” (archegon) means “originator, leader, pioneer,” one who leads the way. Instead of demanding his rights as prince, however, Christ lowered himself to become the Savior: “Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6–8 NLT). Through that death, Christ “made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross” (Colossians 1:20 NLT). Jesus is “Savior” because through his death he can offer repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. With these words Peter was offering salvation to the very people who had crucified the Savior. They, along with all the rest of Israel, could find forgiveness through the crucified and risen Christ. Peter mentioned only Israel here, for it was not until later (see chapter 10) that Peter would understand that Gentiles were to be included in this offer of repentance and forgiveness.This is the heart of the gospel, repeated over and over in the book of Acts (see also 2:38; 3:16, 19; 4:12; 8:22; 17:30; 26:20), the “full message” that the apostles were called to proclaim (5:20 NIV). Reconciliation with God is impossible without the sacrifice of Christ and the repentance of people. “Repentance” means to turn away from sin. More than just feeling bad about one’s sins, it means desiring to make a change in one’s purpose and direction, along with a heartfelt desire not to sin (see also 2:38). Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, taking sin’s penalty upon himself, people can come to God in repentance and receive forgiveness for their sins.5:32 “And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” Standing before the high Council, the apostles explained that they had been witnesses to these things of which they spoke. They had seen the risen Christ, and they had seen the exalted Christ as he had been taken into heaven. Peter’s inclusion of the Holy Spirit as part of the witness points back to the Spirit’s coming in power on the day of Pentecost, an event with which the present audience would have been familiar (at least by reputation). It also points back to Jesus’ promise in John 15:26–27, “But I will send you the Counselor—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me. And you must also tell others about me because you have been with me from the beginning” (NLT). Peter wanted them to know that this same Holy Spirit was still at work among them because the Spirit was being given by God to those who obey him. This gift of the Holy Spirit, given to those who accept Christ as their Savior, was described by Paul as “God’s guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people” (Ephesians 1:14 NLT).We are not to preach sociology, but salvation; not economics, but evangelism; not reform, but redemption; not culture, but conversion; not progress, but pardon; not a social order, but a new birth; not revolution, but regeneration; not renovation, but revival; not resuscitation, but resurrection; not a new organization, but a new creation; not democracy, but the Gospel; not civilization, but Christ; we are ambassadors, not diplomats.

APP: TELLING TRUTH In both Luke and Acts, the Holy Spirit was clearly associated with witnessing. Almost every time the Spirit was mentioned, someone testified about God or proclaimed the good news of Christ. If we are filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), if we are letting him lead us (Galatians 5:16), we, too, will speak of Christ. Think back over your conversations from the previous week. If you realize that you rarely or never mentioned God to others, it is a good sign that you are “stifling the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

Acts The Apostles Meet Opposition / 5:17–42

5:33–34 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. The high Council listened to the apostles’ words and became so furious that they wanted to put them to death. Except for one lone and wise voice from an unlikely source, this Council surely would have gotten rid of these followers just as they had gotten rid of their leader. The previous night God had used supernatural means to free the apostles from jail; here he used a less “flashy” but just as miraculous means—a Pharisee defending the church!

The Pharisees were the other major party in the high Council with the Sadducees (see the chart “Prominent Jewish Religious and Political Groups” on page 56–57 [4:1]). The Pharisees were the strict keepers of the law—not only God’s law but hundreds of other rules they had added to God’s law. They were careful about outward purity, but many had hearts full of impure motives. Jesus confronted the Pharisees often during his ministry on earth. They followed a similar pattern of jealousy, inquiry, and then hostility with the apostles as they had with Jesus. Gamaliel was an unexpected ally for the apostles, although he probably did not support their teachings. He was a distinguished member of the Council, a teacher of the law, and was honored by all the people. He was either the son or grandson of Hillel, the great Hebrew scholar who had been the head of a school for the training of Pharisees. Gamaliel stood up to speak to the assembly, but first he ordered that the apostles be taken from the room so that the situation could be discussed.

Acts The Apostles Meet Opposition / 5:17–42

5:33–34 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. The high Council listened to the apostles’ words and became so furious that they wanted to put them to death. Except for one lone and wise voice from an unlikely source, this Council surely would have gotten rid of these followers just as they had gotten rid of their leader. The previous night God had used supernatural means to free the apostles from jail; here he used a less “flashy” but just as miraculous means—a Pharisee defending the church!

The Pharisees were the other major party in the high Council with the Sadducees (see the chart “Prominent Jewish Religious and Political Groups” on page 56–57 [4:1]). The Pharisees were the strict keepers of the law—not only God’s law but hundreds of other rules they had added to God’s law. They were careful about outward purity, but many had hearts full of impure motives. Jesus confronted the Pharisees often during his ministry on earth. They followed a similar pattern of jealousy, inquiry, and then hostility with the apostles as they had with Jesus. Gamaliel was an unexpected ally for the apostles, although he probably did not support their teachings. He was a distinguished member of the Council, a teacher of the law, and was honored by all the people. He was either the son or grandson of Hillel, the great Hebrew scholar who had been the head of a school for the training of Pharisees. Gamaliel stood up to speak to the assembly, but first he ordered that the apostles be taken from the room so that the situation could be discussed.

Acts (IV. Life Application: Witness in New Guinea)

Witness in New GuineaBorn at Ardrishaig, Scotland, James Chalmers heard God’s call at the age of fifteen and committed his life to take the gospel to cannibals. Actually, he didn’t come to Christ until three years later in 1859. Eight years later in 1877, he sailed for the Cook Islands of Polynesia to join a pioneer work in New Guinea where he served for twenty-four years.At the end of twenty-one years of missionary service, Chalmers reportedly prayed, “Recall the twenty-one years. Give me back all its experiences. Give me its shipwrecks, its standing in the face of death, surrounded by savages with spears and clubs … give it back and I will still be your missionary.” He continued to press on with the gospel, and his success is attributed by reliable sources to the fact that he never doubted he had a gospel for the people of New Guinea. In 1901 he was murdered by cannibals at the age of sixty.The story doesn’t end there. During World War II, some American fighter pilots shot down over New Guinea were led to Christ by former cannibals impacted by the witness of James Chalmers, pioneer missionary.The apostles and early Christians in our chapter can be called pioneer missionaries. They pressed the gospel in places where it was not wanted. Though they did not have to learn new languages or enter new cultures, they suffered and, as we shall see in the case of Stephen, died for their faith. Yet the effect of their witness spread to us today; and we, as someone has said, go forward on the backs on those who have gone before.Chalmers, Peter, John, the other apostles, and all the early believers have shown us how to be faithful Christians with honor. Since God usually does not discipline today with the severity he used on Ananias and Sapphira, we have deceit and hypocrisy in the church. How desperately that needs to be offset by new generations of people (like Barnabas and Chalmers) whose witness may not be in New Guinea or even on the temple colonnade, but across the back fence or during the morning commute. May others say of us and of our congregations, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

APP: miracles, 3 types people- bystander- undecided, opposition- sandhedrin- anti Jesus, supporters- pro Jesus

Holding 10 yards if committed by offense; 5 yards plus automatic first down if committed by the defense.

An offensive player can’t grab a defensive player while trying to block him. A defensive player may not grab or impede an offensive player, other than the ball carrier.

Illegal Block in the Back 10 yards.

Offensive players may not block defensive players from behind. The exception to this is if they maintain continuous legal contact with a defensive player as he turns around.

Illegal Formation 5 yards.

The offense must line up with 7 men on the line of scrimmage. If they fail to do so it is an illegal formation.

Illegal Shift / Illegal Motion / Illegal Procedure 5 yards.

Similar penalties involving the improper movement of offensive players. Offensive players may only move around before the snap by a very specific set of rules, and only one player may be moving laterally to the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.

Illegal Substitution / Too Many Men on the Field 5 yards.

Football is played with eleven men on a side at a time, and having more, of course, means a penalty. There are a lot of substitutions in football, so players are running on and off the field between plays all the time.

But offensive teams are also not allowed to break the huddle with more than 11 players, nor may they have more than 11 men in the huddle. This is illegal substitution. If a play is run with either team having 12 or more men on the field, the penalty is Illegal Participation.

Illegal Use of the Hands / Hands to the Face 10 yards against the offense; 5 yards plus automatic first down against the defense.

Players may not contact an opponent's face or facemask

Ineligible Man Downfield 5 yards.

The five offensive linemen are not allowed to run downfield on passing plays. They are ineligible and will be penalized if they leave the line of scrimmage before the pass is thrown.

Offside 5 yards.

A general term for when one team has moved across the line before the start of a play.

Pass Interference

Enforced at the spot of the foul if committed by the defense. 10-yard penalty if committed by the offense.

When a forward pass is thrown, both the offensive and defensive players have the right to catch the football. But once the ball is airborne a player may not interfere with another player to impede him from getting to the football. Sometimes players accidentally run into each other, which is called incidental contact and not a penalty.

Tripping 10 yards, automatic first down if committed by the defense.

No player may trip the ball carrier or any other player for that matter. Offensive linemen who find themselves out of position when trying to make a block sometimes employ a special type of tripping called a leg whip. Sometimes they get away with it, and sometimes they don't.

Unnecessary Roughness 15 yards, automatic first down if committed by the defense.

Football is a rough game, but any physical contact outside the boundaries of the rules is deemed unnecessary roughness, carries a 15-year personal foul penalty, and has the possibility of getting a player ejected. This includes late hits after the whistle blows, scuffling after a play, or tackling a player who has run out of bounds.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct 15 yards, automatic first down if committed by the defense.

A broad term for an array of personal foul infractions a player might commit against the spirit of the game. This includes taunting another player, kicking the ball after the play is over, or abusive language to an official or other player.