So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” (Acts 5:25-28)
In the previous study, we learned that the apostles were put in prison by the Jewish religious leaders; Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. (Acts 5:17-21; see ACTS: Holy Spirit Empowers the Church, and Man Can't Stop God's Plan)
The apostles continued doing the very thing the religious leaders commanded them not to do. Now the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name?" But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:29-32)
There are so many messages in these few verses, but we'll try to only focus on a few. First, back to the other comment the high priest..., saying, “...And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” They were more than willing to bring Christ’s blood on themselves, when they lead Him before Pontius Pilate. Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ [*whom you call the King of the Jews]?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” (Matthew 27:22-25; *Mark 15:12-14; see THE GOSPEL: Jesus Scourged; He Gets What We Deserve)
Isn't that how most people deal with guilt? When we know we've done something wrong against another person, but aren't willing to repent and ask for forgiveness, we try not to see or hear about that person or situation at all. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah (Psalm 32:3-4) The guilt of sin wears us down. Instead these religious leaders, and all of us should just repent. I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:5, 10-11)
The next thing we learn from these verses is, We ought to obey God rather than men! In a previous study, we learned of a couple, Ananias and Sapphira, whom God struck both dead, because they lied to the Holy Spirit; they had not lied to men but to God. (see ACTS: Lying to Man is Lying to God; Husbands and Wives Beware) What was interesting was that God did not allow the husband to explain himself, but He did give the wife an opportunity to change her story and tell the truth. Unfortunately for her, she chose to continue with the lie. That lead us to Adam and Eve, when Eve believed and "ate" the lies of the devil, ... She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6; see THE GOSPEL: All "Trees" Aren't the Same) When God punished them, and in turn all mankind for their disobedience, He said to Adam, Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is ..." (Genesis 3:17)
Years ago a saying was very popular, "What would Jesus do?" That saying was intended to lead people to think and make better choices. Even if people profess not to believe in Jesus as their Savior, based on how He lived and responded to various situations throughout His life, as recorded in scripture, we have enough instruction to guide us on how to make better choices. But whatever choice we have to make, especially for us who are believers in Christ Jesus, the final decision should always be to obey God rather than men. That's what God explained to Adam, and the same is true for wives. We shouldn't disobey or go against one another because we like our idea or plan better. Sometimes we have to compromise and even submit. But, if someone wants us to do something against God's Word, then we have to obey God rather than men, no matter what the consequence! Jesus taught us Whom we should fear more than any other; "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)
The final lesson we want to learn from these verses is that we who are saved have to be clear about what we believe and the message we present. The apostles kept telling the same message to the Jewish religious leaders and the people in Jerusalem day in and day out, "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus... Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance... and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” As we learned in a previous study, we need to pray and ask God, just as Peter did, Now, Lord, ... grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:27-31; see ACTS: Bold Witnesses, No Matter Who Opposes)
When they [the high priest and the sect of the Sadducees] heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” (Acts 5:33-39)
Well, at least one of the Jewish religious leaders was wise enough to understand that killing God's messengers wouldn't be wise. God is God, and we are to leave the consequences to Him. As this leader pointed out, if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it. God made this fact very clear throughout the books of the prophets; Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, When the Lord has not commanded it? (Lamentations 3:37) There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord. (Proverbs 21:30)
And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So 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 did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. (Acts 5:40-42) What do bullies do? Try to force us to do what they want us to do, usually resulting in beating us, whether physically, or through social media, or slander and gossip. Whatever they do, we who are saved must always respond the way the apostles did; they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. We must always remember and never forget, We ought to obey God rather than men!
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