12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. 16 Crowds gathered (many came to them) … Acts 5
Acts 5 begins with the sad account of Ananias and Sapphira, who lied to men, but also to the Spirit of God. Their judgement was swift in the manifest presence of God, a lesson for all when God moves powerfully on the scene.
The power of God’s Spirit saw many healed and delivered; this provoked a harsh response from the religious leaders.
17 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.
Religion couldn’t stand the crowds gathered around the apostles and they were jealous. WILL THIS HAPPEN AGAIN TODAY? God sent an angel and released the apostles, but also told them to go right back and do what they had been doing, publicly in the Temple courts. The scene was set for a major showdown.
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.
The wicked forces who have been opposing God’s work in this day, also fear the people. They can only reign when the people are docile and compliant. But we saw yesterday that one of the marks of the Holy Spirit coming was great boldness released.
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.
Peter accused the religious hierarchy of the murder of Jesus and said that they, the apostles, were witnesses of His death and resurrection to the right hand of God.
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 honoured by all the people, stood up …
The man who Paul studied under ‘stood up’ (no evidence he was a believer, but he stood for what was right) and spoke to the leading council. Gamaliel’s wise counsel prevailed; if this is from man it will fail but if they’re from God you can’t stop them. Again, there’s people who need to hear this now.
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. (They still used punishment and intimidation, but they freed them.)
The apostles left REJOICING that they’d suffered disgrace for the Name (God’s Name), must have been very annoying for their opponents.
42 Day after day, in the temple courts (Publicly) and from house to house (Privately), they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good newsthat Jesus is the Messiah.
The Church is Rising to a new place of Boldness for the Lord. Hallelujah