Acts 5:17-42
17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the
party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the
public prison. 19 But
during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them
out, and said, 20 “Go
and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard
this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest
came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the
senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the
officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and
reported, 23 “We
found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when
we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now
when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they
were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and
told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and
teaching the people.” 26 Then
the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they
were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And
the high priest questioned them, 28 saying,
“We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem
with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the
apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you
killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God
exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to
Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And
we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given
to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in
the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the
people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them,
“Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these
days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four
hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and
came to nothing. 37 After
him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of
the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered.
38 So in the present
case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan
or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to
overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,
40 and when they had
called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the
name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then
they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy
to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And
every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching
and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
After being arrested for
proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Apostles are freed from prison by the Angel of
the LORD. They immediately go to the Temple and start preaching. They are not
deterred by imprisonment. At the end they even rejoice over punishment. These
guys are not the same people who were picked up out of a fishing boat.
Things change, time
passes, and false-christs come and go. Gamaliel is not the stupidest person in
the world. He recognizes that Theudas, Judas and more have built up a following
and been led astray. He even says, “if this plan or this understanding is of
man, it will fail.”
How many denominations
and sects have arisen? How many of them are from God? I am not here to answer
this. But our responsibility is to preach what we have seen and heard. This is
what the Apostles are doing. They are preaching the Truth of Jesus Christ.
They bear witness that
the Lord Jesus Christ, was crucified on the cross for the forgiveness of sin.
He was raised on the third day as the firstfruits of our own resurrection. This
is what the Church (followers of Jesus) still proclaim today.
Alternative: Acts 5:27-42
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