Beloved, we’re concluding our discussion on how to respond to severe threats and strict laws against the preaching of the gospel, and as we mentioned earlier in Part One, we are drawing inspiration from chapters 3 through 5 of the Acts of the Apostles. We have already pointed out from the example of the early apostles that one important way to respond when we are threatened severely and commanded by governing/religious authorities and opposing groups to stop preaching and teaching the gospel of Christ is to OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN. We also learned that another important way to respond is to PRAY. And of course these two responses are to be employed TOGETHER or SIMULTANEOUSLY, and not as alternatives. We learned in Part One that when the disciples were severely threatened and commanded to stop speaking and teaching in the Name of Jesus, they not only decided to obey God rather than men, but they also prayed, and God answered them. God empowered or emboldened the disciples by the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of power, the Spirit of prophecy) to do that which the enemy had severely threatened them and commanded them not to do, as the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were ALL filled with the Holy Spirit, and they SPOKE the Word of God with BOLDNESS. The Bible says (as a result of the prayer) that the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and they did it with GREAT POWER. (see Acts 4:33). And GREAT GRACE was upon them all. (see Acts 4:33). Oh, thank God for answered prayers! What could we do without the grace of God? “And through the hands of the apostles MANY SIGNS and WONDERS WERE DONE among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.” (Acts 5:12 NKJV). “And BELIEVERS were increasingly ADDED to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and THEY WERE ALL HEALED.” (Acts 5:14-16 NKJV). Indeed this was a great period of progress for the disciples and for the gospel. But it didn’t stop the Rulers of the people and elders of Israel (or the Council) from coming after the apostles again.
The Jewish Religious Rulers (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), seeing the progress the apostles made in spreading the gospel and performing miracles, healings, signs and wonders in the Name of Jesus, were filled with indignation (anger, resentment, jealousy). The Bible says, “Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.” (Acts 5:17-18 NKJV). They ARRESTED the apostles and put them in the public PRISON. But God was obviously pleased with the work the apostles were doing for the Kingdom, so He intervened; God didn’t allow the apostles to spend the night in prison. God wanted the apostles to keep the momentum going, to continue with the good work of preaching the words (or message) of this (eternal) life. So the Bible says, “But AT NIGHT an ANGEL of the Lord OPENED THE PRISON DOORS and BROUGHT THEM OUT, and said, “Go, STAND IN THE TEMPLE and SPEAK to the people all the words of this life.”” (Acts 5:19-20 NKJV). It is quite interesting to me that throughout the Acts of the Apostles God often sent help DURING THE NIGHT (see Acts 5:19; Acts 16: 25-28; Acts 12:6-10; Acts 27:23-24); I believe this is significant, for “NIGHT” also connotes that God will always send help in our DARK moments, and so we should not be afraid. Praise God! Beloved, when you OBEY God rather than men and do the will of God, God will be with you every step of the way and He will deliver you from all your afflictions.
It is also worth noting that God didn’t release the apostles from prison for them to go into hiding. Rather, He told them to go back into the temple (into the full glare of their persecutors) and speak (that is, preach or teach) the words of this eternal life (which is in Christ Jesus). And as always, the apostles OBEYED GOD. The Bible says, “THEY ENTERED THE TEMPLE EARLY IN THE MORNING and TAUGHT” (see Acts 5:21). Hallelujah!
The Bible says that when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard that the apostles were missing from the prison, with the prison doors still locked securely and the guards still standing outside in front of the doors, they were greatly perplexed (confused), wondering what would come of this (see Acts 5:23-24). Then someone came and told them that the missing prisoners (that is, the apostles) were STANDING in the temple and TEACHING the people (see Acts 5:25). The apostles were doing exactly what the angel of the Lord had told them to go and do (see again Acts 5:20). Beloved, you will never go wrong obeying God, you will never go wrong doing what God tells you to do. Even if you get in trouble with the government/religious authorities for doing it, don’t be afraid; we have the example of the early apostles to encourage us. The Bible says that they ARRESTED the apostles again, without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned (see Acts 5:26); they arrested the apostles for doing exactly what God had commanded them to do. “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not STRICTLY COMMAND you NOT to TEACH in this NAME? And look, you have FILLED Jerusalem with YOUR DOCTRINE, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”” (Acts 5:27-28 NKJV). In other words, the Council was accusing the apostles of violating their command (their law, or instruction), and FILLING JERUSALEM WITH THEIR DOCTRINE. And thankfully, the apostles were guilty as charged. Oh, how pleasing it would be to God if all Christians will fill our neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, nations and the whole world with the doctrine of Christ, with the doctrine of the apostles, with this glorious gospel of peace!
Now, it is fascinating how Peter and the other apostles responded to these charges with such holy boldness. They said, “WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD, rather than men.” (see Acts 5:29). Then they also pressed counter-charges against the rulers and elders of Israel, saying, “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom YOU MURDERED by hanging on a tree.” (see Acts 5:30). The apostles were basically calling the Jewish leaders MURDERERS, for they charged that they were the ones who murdered Jesus. And then the apostles testified that God RAISED UP Jesus and has EXALTED Jesus to His RIGHT HAND to be Prince (or Ruler) and Savior, to give REPENTANCE to Israel and FORGIVENESS OF SINS. (see Acts 5:31). They concluded by identifying themselves as Jesus’ WITNESSES to these things (these truths), adding that “so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (see Acts 5:32 NKJV).
The Bible says that when the members of the Council heard what the apostles said, “they were FURIOUS, and PLOTTED TO KILL THEM” (see Acts 5:33); they wanted to prove themselves as the murderers the apostles charged them to be. But one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and he advised the Council (in private consultation), that they shouldn’t kill the apostles but leave them alone, for if this plan or this work (the apostles were doing) is of men, it will come to nothing (for, after all, their Leader Jesus Christ is dead), but if it is of God, no man can overthrow it, lest they even be found to fight against God. (see Acts 5:34-39). Gamaliel buttressed his point with examples of uprisings or movements in the history of Israel that came to nothing after the ringleaders’ death (see Acts 5:35-37). And so the other members of the Council agreed with Gamaliel (see Acts 5:40), and they did not kill the apostles. Rather, they called for the apostles and BEAT THEM (see Acts 5:40). The apostles were beaten for obeying God and following God’s command. Then they were commanded (once again) by the Council that they SHOULD NOT SPEAK IN THE NAME OF JESUS. (see Acts 5:40). After that, the apostles were released; THEY (the Council) LET THEM GO. (see Acts 5:40). Praise God! The Bible says, “So they departed from the presence of the council, REJOICING THAT THEY WERE COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER SHAME for His NAME. And DAILY in the temple, and in every house, THEY DID NOT CEASE TEACHING AND PREACHING JESUS as the Christ.” (Acts 5:41-42 NKJV). The apostles truly won! They could not be stopped. They (in the words of the unbelieving Jews) turned the world upside down (see Acts 17:6). Oh, what boldness and zeal they had for the preaching and teaching of the gospel! They even REJOICED that they were counted worthy to SUFFER SHAME FOR JESUS’ NAME. And DAILY in the temple (in the full glare of their persecutors) and in EVERY HOUSE, they DID NOT STOP TEACHING AND PREACHING JESUS AS THE CHRIST. (see Acts 5:42). They OBEYED God rather than men. And buoyed by PRAYER and sustained by the power of God through faith, they pressed on, they pressed toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Beloved, may you also OBEY GOD rather than men whenever you are confronted with severe threats and laws against the preaching and teaching of the gospel; and may you not forget to PRAY. May you be bold and unstoppable as you preach and teach the gospel of Christ, and even in the face of severe persecution, may you rejoice that you are counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’ Name. Amen. #SpiritLife #UnveilingMysteries #shareTheWord #FollowThisBlog
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