Acts 5:33-39 When they heard this, the Sanhedrin were furious and wanted to put the apostles to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
 
PETER wrote in 1 Peter 5:8b Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. As Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den (Daniel 6), the apostles had entered the Sanhedrin’s “lion’s den” because of their faithfulness and trust in God’s promises. Jesus’ church was near destruction as the apostles were on the precipice of death.
   Then God moved in a surprising way. Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, became the Lord’s voice to protect his apostles. He didn’t know God was using him. He might have objected to the idea. Gamaliel had studied long and taught many men in the Pharisees’ ways. His wisdom and understanding was the result of his extensive work to know and teach the law.
   But Scripture has much to say about wisdom and understanding. There are 12 references to these godly traits in Job. One of those is Job 12:13 “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” Gamaliel’s wise counsel was God’s sovereign care over his apostles.   
   The other aspect of God’s care for the apostles is the Sanhedrin’s acceptance of Gamaliel’s counsel. We all have been to meetings. Seldom does a lone voice sway a group such as this that was furious and wanted to put the apostles to death. These same men had condemned Jesus. Blood was on their minds and in their hearts. Only the Spirit could close the lion’s mouths.  
 
Acts 5:40 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.
 
The Sanhedrin spared the apostles’ lives, but they did not spare their flesh. Flogging ws a brutal punishment, usually 39 lashes with a three-stranded leather strap. Jesus had told them such things would happen: Mark 13:9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.”  But the suffering did not stop them from speaking in the name of Jesus. Instead, this suffering took the men into a greater commitment to their Lord. 

​Say It  
 
Acts 5:30-32 “The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead – whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
 
WE can’t imagine how radical these words were to the Sanhedrin. Many of them were Sadducees, legal experts, of the law. But these experts lacked true expertise in the law. They did not believe in the resurrection plainly written in Exodus 3:15 “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob – has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” Apparently the Sadducees had forgotten God’s words. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were dead in their bodies. God said they are alive with him. The unschooled apostles confirmed to the Sadducees the LORD, the God of your fathers is the One who raised Jesus to life.
   Even though the ruling Jews had hung Jesus in shame on the cross, the LORD turned the shame into glory. Jesus is not only raised from the dead, he is ascended to heaven to sit at the LORD’s right hand. He is Prince – the Son of God. He is Savior – the One who has come to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
   Yes, at the cost of his life, Jesus came to give salvation to those who believe. He will ultimately conquer all evil and establish his rule in Jerusalem forever. The rabbi from Nazareth is much more than any human can know because he now sits with and rules with the LORD – the eternal I AM.
   The apostles confirm they are witnesses. They have seen and know the truth. The Holy Spirit has helped them understand. He is their co-witness to prove who Jesus is. The Father, Son and Spirit have given them the knowledge and the voice to testify, “Jesus is Savior.”  
   The same is true for each Christian. We have received the Father’s Word through the Holy Bible. His book testifies of his eternal existence. We learn Jesus is Savior through the gospels and epistles. The Spirit has inspired men to record God’s truth. He has removed obstacles in our hearts to believe Jesus is Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to all who believe.
   The apostles were firm to say it. No earthly authority stopped them. They are our examples.  
   

Acts 5:26-29 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. 27 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!”
 
THE apostles voluntarily went with the temple guards. They could have called to the crowd for support. Confidently they submitted to the guards.
   Why would they be concerned? Day after day they had seen God’s power affect great change among thousands of lives. A messenger from heaven had just brought them out of jail.  The apostles had complete confidence that as they obeyed the Lord’s commands, he was fulfilling his command and promise: Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Indeed, Jesus’ was with them through the Spirit and angels, protecting them and teaching them what to say. Mark 13:11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
   But the Sanhedrin didn’t know what to say. Despite all the evidence around them, they continued to deny Jesus’ Lordship. Refusing to submit to the Lord’s power, they strived to remain in power.
   But they were losing control. The apostles had rejected their orders to stop preaching the name (Notice the Sanhedrin refused to speak Jesus’ name.) The apostles, too, were determined to name the Sanhedrin as guilty of this man’s blood. The guilty wanted no part of their guilt. Their only defense was an attempt to silence the truth.
      That’s sin’s method. Silence the truth. Do not allow the facts to determine a just response. Keep power at all costs. From Cain’s sin to today’s unjust leaders, that has been the world’s way to power and control. Jesus’ came to overthrow that with his eternal truth. When the accusers want to silence the church, let’s be sure we model the apostles’ response. Know the truth. Faithfully tell the truth. Proclaim Jesus’ name as the name above all names. Trust he will give us what to say. Know we stand as his warriors against his accusers.  

Acts 5:21-25 At daybreak the apostles entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin – the full assembly of the elders of Israel – and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”  
 
THE Sanhedrin – the full assembly of the elders of Israel – were witnesses to the Jews’ greatest moment in history. The Messiah had come. Jesus had shown to thousands during his ministry and hundreds after his resurrection that he is the Son of God. With very public demonstrations, Jesus’ healing power extended through his apostles. Their preaching had yielded thousands to repent and be baptized. Many people rejoice at the apostles’ testimonies of God’s promises of forgiveness and their eternal life.
   In addition, the Sanhedrin had spoken to Jesus during his ministry and heard his teachings. They surely knew the reports of his resurrection. They realized his uneducated disciples were now preaching and healing with life-changing power. Now as another day began, the apostles are preaching in the temple even though their jail cell’s door is still locked. The guards haven’t noticed them missing!
   Why then are the Sanhedrin and other officials puzzled, wondering what would come of this? In the midst of this very real physical evidence of God’s presence in Jerusalem, the ruling Jews once again rejected the LORD’s work. Jesus had bluntly and forcefully warned these men for their constant rejection of the evidence of God among them: Matthew 23:16 “Woe to you, blind guides!” and 23:17a “You blind fools!”
   This direct, judgmental language may seem out of character for our Savior. But in fact it reveals the evidence of God’s righteous love. There are times to be blunt with the truth. People must know he is “Savior” to save us from God’s wrath: John 12:48 “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.”
  Jesus sent the apostles to save the people from judgment. The apostles were doing the work required for the harvest. Still the Jews’ blind guides strived to darken the Jews’ eyes, so they could not see the evidence of God’s great love for his people.
   People must know they must be saved from judgment. They must know Jesus is Savior.    
 

Acts 5:17-20 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. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.”  
 
GOD enjoys releasing his imprisoned messengers from jail cells. Peter is freed from another jail in Acts 12. And Acts 16 reports Paul’s and Silas’ release in Philippi.
   God specializes in release, doesn’t he? Release is a principle point of Jesus’ mission: Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the LORD is on me…He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives.”
   The Master’s mission became the apostles’ joy. The Spirit gave the 12 apostles a marvelous gift in that jail cell. Locked up at the hands of jealous leaders, Jesus’ messengers heard all they needed to know. “Go. Stand. Tell.” Go to the temple. Stand in the courts. Tell the Jews, tell the world what they must know. Tell them not merely a portion of God’s grace or a little of his love. Tell them the full message of this new life. Tell them how the full gospel story is God’s revelation to open the spiritual cell doors, so you can walk free of sin’s bondage. Tell of God’s full message to keep Israel as his people even as idolatry imprisoned them. The full message will tell how God had nurtured his nation in Egypt’s bondage to prepare them for his full redemptive message, “You will be my people, and I will be your God.” (Exodus 6:7 and others.)  
   Yes, the full message tells you God promises to be your holy temple forever. Revelation 21:22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. Tell the full message that promises redemption and renewal. Tell the full message that frees the captive heart. Speak the joy of Jesus’ sacrificial love that rises above death into heaven’s holy realm. Know the full message is the only message that directs us to the new life.  
   God gave the apostles a great gift. They had the privilege to tell the world that Jesus is freedom. This is our privilege, too. 

Acts 5:12-16 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.
 
IN the Bible’s history, God gives us a quite remarkable pattern of performing many miracles, signs and wonders for his people. As the time of the Law began in Exodus, Moses performed great signs and wonders. As the great era of the prophets began, Elijah and Elisha worked great miracles in Israel. Then as the gospel age began, the apostles received this magnificent gift to heal what seems to be thousands of people. Note the people had such faith in the Spirit’s healing, Peter’s shadow was enough to heal. Jesus had told the apostles they would have this abundant miraculous ministry. John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” And in John 14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. The miracles served three purposes:
   1) Miracles show compassion and meet human need. Sin oppresses humanity. Trouble in our own lives or among our loved ones easily flood our minds. Hopelessness can reign. But our compassionate God reminds us he is with us. Through his Word and testimonies today of people restored to health, prosperity and life, we know he is our personal compassionate King, who loves his domain.
   2) Miracles confirm God’s credentials as the Lord of heaven and earth. The two reasons for the miracles in Egypt were to tell Egypt he is Lord over his people. And the miracles also told Israel he is Lord over them. Jesus’ miracles then affirmed his Sovereign authority over all life. Jesus’ resurrection is the linchpin to his authenticity as God’s Son. We know he is alive. We can faithfully follow him into heaven.
   3) Miracles convey spiritual truth. As the prophets healed they pointed to God as the great Provider. When Jesus healed he equated the body’s restoration with the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 2:5) Healing a body affirms that God has the power to save our souls.
  Amid this report of the apostles work is what seems to be a separate observation: No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. It seems that only those truly committed to Jesus were willing to join the church. God’s very personal power intervention into Jerusalem had struck a fear into the hearts of unbelieving or casual observers. When people decide to join a church, they must know God requires complete commitment.  
   A healed body is temporary. A healed soul is eternal. Physical healing is God’s magnificent compassion to call his broken people home.
    

Acts 5:1-11 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
 
THINK of the impact of God’s judgment on Ananias and Sapphira. Great fear seized all. To seize is to conquer, to grasp, to abduct and to snatch. The Spirit had grasped his church, snatched their hearts and minds up to awaken them to know that lying to the Spirit is a capital offense! With the same power the Spirit had been using to raise up the apostles, save the Jews and form his church, he judged two liars to their quick deaths. Would fear seize the church to the point they would be afraid to continue gathering? Would Peter’s knowledge of the crime cause them to keep away from him? Maybe Peter would condemn a sin in them. What happened to Peter’s preaching in Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
   This is the Lord’s judgment on two hypocrites. Yes, hypocrisy can be forgiven, but Ananias and Sapphira had only self-glory in mind. Although the church would benefit in part from the land sale, the couple withheld money for their own benefit. They claimed, “This is the sale price.” But in fact it was only part of the price. If they had sold the land and said, “We have sold our land and here is an offering from the sale.” The church would have received it in joy and thanksgiving. Sapphira and Ananias wanted people to honor them.
   The LORD made an example of the couple to teach and warn the church his word is true. The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. (Proverbs 15:8) A hypocritical heart will destroy your relationship with God. Whatever you offer to the Lord whether it is money, spiritual gifts or worship, do so with a true heart. Love the Lord and love giving to his church.
 

Acts 4:32-37 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
 
THE generous sharing of personal property and money is a remarkable testimony to God’s uniting Spirit. One wonders if there has ever again been such a church to so sacrificially care for each other. In one way it doesn’t seem practical. When people sold land or houses, what was their future source of income? Or where did they live? What happened when that money was gone?
   In truth, those who donated to the church had abundant resources. They still owned other land and homes. They gave as was helpful to those in need. And not all did this. The giving was at one’s discretion, not a forced demand. They lived into God’s promise and command as he pointed Israel to the Promised Land: Deuteronomy 15:4 there will be no poor among you; for the LORD will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess.
   God has always blessed those who obeyed his commands. If we stop to consider the Jerusalem church, God would surely have provided them with all they needed. Consider Barnabas. He was a Jew from Cypress. He may have been in Jerusalem at Pentecost. The Spirit anointed him to faith. He joined the church and became an active, giving member. God brought him to the church. Barnabas sold some land and helped the church. Barnabas faithfully responded to God’s Word. Barnabas gave to sustain the church.
   We know that being a member of Jesus’ church does not require we share as generously as this church. It seems God used this as another means to reveal the working of his power to these new believers and to Jerusalem. As the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the LORD God blessed his church with the wisdom to function in this particular manner.
   Spiritual unity opens the way for people of diverse backgrounds, cultures and economics to live in harmony with a like-minded faith. This is living the resurrected life. Jesus’ victory over death had changed their lives. The redeemed believed a new way of life would draw them closer to God. They lived as if they had been born again because they had.
    Barnabas becomes a key leader in this early church. He helped the church financially. He will help expand the church with his true testimony of Jesus.     
 
 

Acts 4:23-30 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.” 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
 
PETER and John returned in triumph from a night in jail and an interrogation before the ruling Jews. The LORD had given them a victory over those who had condemned Jesus. The church’s response was a resounding affirmation of God’s sovereign rule. At the center of their celebration is Psalm 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The question asks God’s enemies why they do not know how futile it is to oppose God. No one can stop his purpose. No one, it seems, understands this.
   These new church members had quickly developed a solid understanding of God’s work. Not long before this the apostles and the other followers were confused, and they grieved Jesus’ horrible death. But the Holy Spirit’s power and authority began to reveal God’s very true rule.
   The men and women of the new church had been anointed to know God directs all things. They had full faith that the events occurring in Jerusalem demonstrated God’s character. He is eternal Creator. He protects his Anointed One, even as rulers killed him. Herod and Pilate could not rule over him. The crowd that called, “Crucify him!” could not condemn him. The church understood the people who struck down Jesus were doing God’s will as the prophets had told.
   Then the church prayed they could confront the opposition to come. They asked to speak your word with great boldness. They pursued God to do miraculous signs and wonders as they declared the name of Jesus. How often do we pray this way?
    God quickly answered their prayer. How good it would be to feel our church or home shake with God’s glory and power, his love and affirmation for us? The Holy Spirit filled them, too. He answered, “Yes!” to their prayer for bold speech, and this became their faithful testimony of the gospel.
   

Acts 4:18-22 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
 
THIS passage is often used to help the Christian determine whether one is to obey a government’s laws or not. The Bible in general affirms we are to live a life of peace under the rulers God has put over us. When Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21) he made a broad statement confirming a citizen’s obligation to his government. And Paul writes in Romans 13:1c The authorities that exist have been established by God.
   That obligation ends, though, when a government’s rule opposes God’s Word. When Peter said, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” he affirmed he and John were under the risen Lord Jesus’ command: Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” The Christian’s authority is Christ. Government’s – and sadly too many “churches” – make rules to silence heaven’s holy authority to declare the risen Jesus to the world. We note here that the apostles had the last word. The authorities had nothing to say because the evidence of Jesus was obvious.
   This freedom of religion is one foundational Bible truth. Consider how God called Abram into a new land to be free of the idolatrous worship of his ancestors and family. God changed Abram to become Abraham. He is the father of the Jews, a people set apart from other nations to reveal the eternal God to the World. History indicates that even in the Jews’ captivity and their rule by foreign nations such as Rome, faithful Jews resisted pagan influences. They maintained the commanded Feasts, the Sabbath and essential worship of God. In bondage to other governments, the Jews remained bonded to God.
   The faithful Christian must be the same. None of us live in a true Christian nation. Regardless of government rule, we must be faithful to God’s rule. Acts reports the apostles’ faithful response to Jesus as many abuses and even martyrdom attempt to turn them from their freedom in Jesus. Their freedom in Christ ruled their lives. They were willing and eager to stand amid turmoil to define and defend the risen Jesus.
   Each day throughout the world governments and cultures attempt to silence our freedom of faith. We must know in our soul God has granted us the privilege to know in Jesus. John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.