“THE STEADFASTNESS OF THE APOSTLES IN VIEW OF PERSECUTION” ACTS 5:12-42
No one looks forward to trouble. The fearless Apostles of our text faced their trouble with tremendous conviction. We must understand, as the Apostles, that God’s people are not exempt from trouble. In fact, the people of God have always faced trouble and troublous times. As we view the early church, we will come to understand that they faced much opposition and troublous times. Our blessed Lord had exhorted the disciples that they would encounter trouble when He said – “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (St. John 15:20). Jesus also said in St. John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Yes, troublous periods will occur in the life of God’s people, but we must understand that God is greater than the trouble!
The Apostles of out text had greatly incensed the Sadducees. The Sadducees were against the Apostles because of teaching and preaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:2, 17-18). Not only were the Apostles teaching and preaching the message of the resurrection of Christ, but many miraculous things were done through them. Multitudes of men and women were added to the Lord and to His church as a result of their ministries! The word of God was being authenticated through the miracle working power of these Apostles. According to verses 12-16, many infirmed were brought on their pallets and couches in hopes that the shadow of Peter would pass over them that they might be healed. Also many were delivered from demonic oppression. These miracles greatly disturbed the Sadducees to the point of jealousy (v. 17).
The Sadducees were greatly concerned about the popularity the Apostles were gaining among the people! The religious authorities were so angry until they “laid their hands on the Apostles and put them in a common prison (v. 18). The word of God has always divided mankind; and so in an effort to suppress the truth, the religious authorities had the Apostles place in a common prison. However, by Divine intervention, God used an angel, a heavenly visitor, to release His Apostles, and the angel instructed them to, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life (v. 19-20).
These Apostles who were arrested and placed in prison, are seen the next morning obeying the angel’s command, for they were in the temple again preaching. During the next morning, the Sanhedrin met and sent for the Apostles. To their astonishment, they were told that the Apostles were missing. Being greatly startled and confused regarding these missing Apostles, a messenger related that the same Apostles were in the temple teaching the people (vv. 21-25).
As the officers retrieved the Apostles and brought them to the council (vv.26-27), the High Priest asked a very pointed and emphatic question, for verse 28 says, “Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” The Sanhedrin was not only incensed because the Apostles had disobeyed the order to not to preach in Christ’s name, but was also experiencing a special guilt because of their positions as leaders and teachers in scheming to kill Jesus. However, the Apostles did not level the guilt upon the leaders only – all of the inhabitants of Jerusalem were guilty, including the rulers (Acts 3:12-17; 4:10).
With unusual courage and conviction, Peter and the Apostles responded to the High Priest and said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (v. 29). As Peter and the Apostles continued to witness (vv. 30-32), the council became greatly enraged (v. 33). Through the wonderful intervention by Gamaliel, a great teacher of the law, the Apostles were delivered (vv. 34-39). The Sanhedrin agreed to free the Apostles; however, they were beaten for their civil disobedience. Being released, the Apostles continued to do God’s will, for verses 41-42 state, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house,
They ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. May we gain the resolve to preach and teach Jesus, even in the face of severe opposition and shame for His name!
May God Bless!
