ACTS LESSON 11
We will begin this lesson in Acts 5:17 "Then the high priest rose
up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the
Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,"
We see jealousy coming forth here. This high priest and these
Sadducees could not deny that the miracles were done. They knew that
they did not have the power to heal people, and they felt that people
would stop coming to the temple and would follow these apostles
instead. This is a little like churches now that get upset when some
other church starts having converts. Jealousy has no place in the
kingdom of God.
Acts 5:18 "And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in
the common prison."
These leaders of the temple felt to protect their position in the
temple and to keep worship in the temple the only worship services
going on, they would lock these men of God up. This common prison
just means that they were put in with the thieves and other really
dangerous criminals.
Acts 5:19 "But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison
doors, and brought them forth, and said," Acts 5:20 "Go, stand and
speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life."
This angel of the Lord was a ministering spirit sent by the Lord
to release them from prison. They were not released so that they
might run and hide, but that they might carry the message of life to
all. They were to go back to the temple where they were taken before
and preach the good news of the gospel. They were to teach that all
should repent of their sins, and be baptized. Those who believe in
their heart and confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus shall inherit
eternal life.
Acts 5:21 "And when they heard [that], they entered into the
temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and
they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the
senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them
brought."
It seems as though these people did not know that God had sent an
angel to release them. These priests and council had planned to
punish them. They were going to bring them before the council to be
sentenced. Little did this council know that these apostles were
right that minute preaching and teaching.
Acts 5:22 "But when the officers came, and found them not in the
prison, they returned, and told," Acts 5:23 "Saying, The prison truly
found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before
the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within."
These officers have an amazing tale to tell these rulers. The
door was still locked, the guards were still on duty, and yet the
imprisoned apostles had disappeared.
Acts 5:24 "Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple
and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them
whereunto this would grow."
These rulers were really concerned about this spreading to the
people and making them more certain that these apostles were of the
true God.
Acts 5:25 "Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men
whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the
people."
The very last place these rulers of the temple thought they would
find these apostles would be in the temple teaching. They would have
expected them to run to safety, not to come into the temple.
Acts 5:26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought
them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should
have been stoned."
We see, here, that, the captain and his officers are actually
afraid of what these followers of Jesus might do, if they take Peter
and the other apostles. Remember, that many of these followers had
been healed by the shadow of Peter falling on them. These people had
tasted of the power of the true God, they were not about to let this
handful of officers destroy Peter and the other apostles.
Acts 5:27 "And when they had brought them, they set [them] before
the council: and the high priest asked them," Acts 5:28 "Saying, 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."
We see, here, the fear that has gripped these rulers in the
temple. They know they are guilty of having crucified Jesus. They
remind Peter, and the others, that they had been commanded of them not
to preach and teach in this name. It appears they are afraid to even
utter the name of Jesus. Their guilty conscience has really
overwhelmed them, but they still will not admit that they asked for
their Messiah's death. They are afraid, not only of the hereafter,
but of losing their position in the church now.
Acts 5:29 "Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said,
We ought to obey God rather than men."
This was a very bold statement to make to the leaders of the
temple. Up until Jesus' arrival, the high priest was thought to be
God's agent here on the earth. We discussed in an earlier lesson that,
we should obey those in authority over us. The only time it is okay
not to obey authority on earth is when it would hinder doing God's
will. That is what is being said here. I will obey God and not man.
Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and
hanged on a tree."
These apostles are filled with the power of God and are bold in
their response to the high priest and the rulers of the temple. He
reminds them, also, that his ancestry went back to Abraham, as well as
theirs and that the God of all of them was the one who raised Jesus
from the tomb. He in essence is saying, you killed your own Messiah
(Christ).
Acts 5:31 "Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a
Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and
forgiveness of sins."
These apostles are boldly telling these leaders of the temple:
You killed the only one who can save you from your sins. You were
cautioned to repent, and accept forgiveness of your sins, and accept
Jesus Christ as Prince (the Son of God). Jesus was your Saviour, as
well as all of ours, and you rejected him.
Acts 5:32 "And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is]
also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."
We are told that Jesus was seen of over 500 people after His
resurrection. They were all witnesses that what Peter said here is
true. Just the fact of the power of the Holy Ghost which had been
manifested in these miracle healings they had done in Jesus' name, was
a large enough witness that He was risen, and was, indeed, the
Messiah, the Saviour of the world. We will pick up in the next lesson
with the attitude of the priest when he heard all of this and his
officers' reactions, as well.
Notes
Acts 11 Questions
1. In verse 17, the men with the high priest were of what sect?
2. What did these temple officials do to these apostles?
3. What one word covers the feelings of these temple officials?
4. Compare this to churches of our day.
5. What did they do with the apostles?
6. What is intended by common in verse 18?
7. Who opened the prison doors?
8. What message was given the apostles?
9. Who shall inherit eternal life?
10. When did the apostles preach again and where?
11. Who met with the high priest to determine what to do with these
apostles?
12. When the officers came to the jail, what did they find?
13. In verse 24, who was worried about the news of this escape
spreading?
14. Someone came and told the rulers what about these apostles?
15. Why were the captain and officers careful not to use violence to
bring the apostles?
16. What did the high priest say that he had already commanded them
not to do?
17. The high priest said, they had filled all __________________with
their doctrine.
18. Who did the apostles tell them they should obey?
19. When is the only time it is okay to not obey the authority
directly over you?
20. Who did the apostles say raised up Jesus?
21. Who did the apostles say slew Jesus?
22. In verse 31, God exalted Jesus to be what two things?
23. What does prince in verse 31 indicate?
24. Who was a witness to the resurrection of Jesus?
Notes
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