Acts 5:27-42 for Sunday, March 30, 2008
Acts 5:27-42
Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. "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."
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 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. Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 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. 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. 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. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
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 apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ."
Questions, Thoughts and Observations:
Why were the disciples being questioned in the first place? Their messsage was a threat to the establishment, to those in power. The ruling class, that is the religious rulers, had the power and authority and were not interested in change, especially change that was so convicting of their own self-righteousness. They must have been interested in what God's will was though for they heeded the wise advice of Gamaliel.
Since we must "obey God rather than men" it stands to reason that God's law is greater than man's law and therefore just because something is legal it does not mean that it is good, right, or moral.
I am struck by the fact that the Sanhedrin doesn't argue with the assertion made by the Apostles that Jesus was raised from the dead. Why don't they?
Jesus - as "Prince and Savior" not only give forgiveness of sins but also gives repentance (which leads us to receive the forgiveness of sins He made available.)
The Apostles were confident because of their own experiences, we may not have walked with Christ, but we do have experiences which confirm our faith, confirm the reality of God, and confirm His grace and provision for our lives. We also have the testimony of the Holy Spirit who is given to "those who obey Him."
What is meant by "obey Him"?
Is it keeping the Ten Commandments? Or the Law in general?
Can obedience be described as a position, not an act?
If one sincerely asks God to reveal himself to them I believe He will. But often I have seen when He does and they still deny Him. Why?
Gamaliel convinced the Sanhedrin to spare the Apostles lives by pointing out that if their message was from men then it would die out on its own. Do we recognize the significance of the fact that the message is still alive and well today more than 2000 years later?
As the Apostles left the Sanhedrin they rejoiced - but not in their freedom as we do today. They rejoiced for their suffering on account of Christ and fearlessly continued to proclaim Christ's kingdom everywhere they went.
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