Acts 5:17-32

But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy; and they laid hands on the apostles, and put them in a public jail. But an angel of the Lord during the night opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, "Go your way, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life." And upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and began to teach. Now when the high priest and his associates had come, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned, and reported back, saying, "We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside." Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. But someone came and reported to them, "Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!" Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, lest they should be stoned). And when they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the apostles answered and said, "We must obey God rather than men. "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. "He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."

 

Two times in 24 hours the apostles were arrested. The first time they were thrown in prison, but an angel let them out and told them to go preach in the temple courts. The second time they were brought before the Sanhedrin and charged with disobedience and hateful accusations. What was their response?

 

Peter and the other apostles defended their disobedience to the Sanhedrin quite simply: “We must obey God rather than men.” In fact, they also defended their ongoing charge that the Jewish leaders were among those guilty for Jesus’ death by saying that this was simply what God had given them to tell people.

 

And then they continued to proclaim the truth: God raised Jesus up. God exalted Jesus to His right hand as Prince and Savior. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given us who are obeying Him.

 

From the apostles’ viewpoint, every confrontation was another opportunity to proclaim the glorified Jesus and the good news of the gospel. Yes, they kept charging the leaders with Jesus’ death… but why? Because like everyone else, the religious leaders’ only hope was to realize that they had made themselves enemies of God’s exalted Prince and to humble themselves before this Jesus. The religious leaders’ only hope was to call on Jesus to be their Savior – the very thing Jesus was eager for them to do. As the apostles’ said here, God exalted Jesus to His right hand as Prince and Savior to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. If these ruling men would only see that they needed to repent before this divine Prince, if they would only see that Jesus was willing to forgive them of their sins, they would also be saved. This was the good news the apostles announced everywhere!

 

Father, thank You. Thank You that we have a message of good news even when men fight us. Even when men are upset with what we are saying, we can continue to say it both to obey You and in the hope that they will realize their need to humble themselves before You. Thank You that even the most offensive words we can speak to people (“You are a sinner and have made yourself God’s enemy.”) are intended for salvation – are intended to lead men to repentance. Help me, my family, and my brothers and sisters in Christ to obey You and speak the words that You have given us to say. Only in Your words can anyone find life and salvation! Thank You!