Part IV Further Progress of the Church and a Second Persecution (4:32 - 5:42) (continued)
D. Apostles imprisoned and released (vv. 17-21)
v.17 The High Priest and the Sadducees could not stand to see the success of the church. They were jealous to the point of action.
v.18 If you want teaching to cease, how can you stop it? At the source, the teacher must be kept quiet. This happened to Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Jesus and now the Apostles. Public ward contained the common criminals.
v.19 An angel released them from prison and commanded them what to do next. The word "angel" is found twenty times in the book of Acts. Where have we previously seen angels in our study?
v.20 The command of the Angel. "This Life" refers to resurrection, the life being denied by the Sadducees.
v.21 The commands of God outweigh the commands of men. The apostles begin teaching about daybreak.
E. Apostles are brought into court (vv. 21-27)
v.21 Meanwhile the High Priest called the Sanhedrin together and sent to the prison for the apostles.
v.22,23 From these verses we see the extent of the miracle performed by the angel. The guards never knew that the apostles had been set free.
v.24 Notice that the concern shown was not that a miracle had been performed, but that the news of the miracle would spread. They were confused and perplexed.
v.25 Whenever the Sanhedrin came together, a crowd would begin to form. One of the crowd knew the whereabouts of the apostles. They were teaching in the very building.
v.26 The possibility of violence from the multitude was enough to keep the captain from making any threatening actions or speeches directed toward the apostles.
v.27 Remember, the Sanhedrin was the highest court the Jews were permitted to have under Roman law. They could not pass a death sentence without putting the matter before a Roman court.
F. The accusation and the defense (vv. 27-32)
v.27 The High Priest is in charge of the proceedings.
v.28 Two charges are leveled against the apostles: 1) preaching in the name of Jesus and 2) attempting to bring the blood of Jesus upon the Sanhedrin, that is, cause the people to believe that the rulers were guilty of the murder of Jesus. We see that the Apostles had been doing their duty because Jerusalem was filled with their teaching.
v.29 Whenever there is a conflict between the authority of God and the authority of man, we must obey God. The Apostles plead guilty to the first charge.
v.30 God raised Jesus, whom the Sanhedrin had killed. The apostles also plead guilty to the second charge and take the opportunity to reiterate their position.
v.31 God had given Jesus authority as a ruler (Prince) and as a Savior. Repentance is brought to Israel through Christ, but whether Israel will repent or not is left up to them. Remission of sins is granted to those who will obey his will.
v.32 The apostles were witnesses of the crucifixion, the resurrection, and the ascension. The Holy Spirit is a witness also. If the apostles were wrong then the Holy Spirit was also wrong.
G. They are saved from death by Gamaliel (vv. 33-42)
v.33 "Cut to the heart," means overcome with anger. Instead of being convicted of their sins, they were convinced that murder would solve their problem.
v.34 As before when Peter and John were before them, the council sends the apostles from the courtroom, this time at the request of Gamaliel. From this verse we know a number of things about Gamaliel: 1) he was a leader of the Pharisees, 2) a member of the Sanhedrin, 3) a teacher of the law and 4) respected by all of the people.
v.35 Gamaliel shows himself to be a cool head among some very hot ones. Before they act rashly he has a few things for them to consider.
v.36 Gamaliel mentions a revolutionary who had previously come to no good, namely, Theudas. This is not the same Theudas mentioned by Josephus because that Theudas did not appear on the scene until fifteen years later. Obviously there was another man named Theudas who was also a revolutionary.
v.37 Another revolutionary named Judas led a tax revolt and he and his followers also failed.
v.38,39 Now Gamaliel makes his point. If these men were not of God, as his two previous examples were obviously not of God, then they would be destroyed anyway. But, if they were of God, then the Sanhedrin would be placing itself in direct opposition to God.
v.40 The council agrees to Gamaliel's proposal, but does not release the apostles until after they have been threatened and beaten. Why did the Sanhedrin have the apostles beaten? What had Jesus said concerning such persecution? Mt. 10:17
v.41 It was then and still is today an honor to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 4:16 It is indicative of a Godly life. 2 Tim. 3:12
v.42 The persecutions did not stop the apostles, they continued to preach and teach at every opportunity. Notice that the apostles did not limit their teaching to the public forum but also taught in private homes.
ADDENDA
Miracles in the book of Acts.
7) The death of Ananias and Sapphira. 5:5-10
8) Signs and wonders performed by the apostles. 5:12
9) Healings. 5:15,16
10) Prison doors opened by an angel. 5:19