ESOCS Devotional 11 July 2024 – Standing Out For the Gospel
MEMORY VERSE: “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 2:29 KJV
TEXT: ACTS 5:27-END
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 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!”
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 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. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 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. 37 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. 38 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; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
40 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. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for [j]His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
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The Pentecost happened. They were instantly filled with the Holy Spirit and they spontaneously began to bear witness, with stunning results. Three thousand were converted after one Holy Spirit fueled sermon about Jesus’ death and resurrection. The first apostolic miracle was performed by Peter and John. The populace was amazed at what was happening. It was a heady time.
And then the trouble began. The Sanhedrin (the Supreme Court of Judaism, some 70 priests and scholars) got wind of what was happening. They had Peter and John arrested and thrown into prison. They summoned Peter and John to explain what was going on with this miracle and their preaching. In the power the Spirit, Peter and John boldly witnessed about Jesus. And when the Sanhedrin commanded them to stop speaking in Jesus’ name, Peter and John simply defied them.
More preaching and more miracles followed. As might be expected, the Sanhedrin arrested and imprisoned not only Peter and John, but also the rest of the apostles. That is where our text picks up the story. The atmosphere was charged with tension, even fear. The Sanhedrin moved from annoyance to apprehension, “wondering what would come of this” (5:24). Clearly, they were dealing with something of a phenomenon here. These ordinary men were upsetting the whole city of Jerusalem with this Jesus talk.
Here is the first serious opposition to the Gospel and the Kingdom it would build. The entire authority of the Jewish religion confronted the entire authority of the church, the 70 against the 12, the showdown at the Temple Court. Would the 70 be able to silence the 12? Would the progress of the Kingdom be stopped before it ever moved out of Jerusalem? Who would blink?
Summoning up all their authority, the Sanhedrin spoke in thunderous tones. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Of course, they were guilty. You must stop!
Summoning up all their authority, the Twelve spoke boldly. When the authorities had ordered silence the first time (4:18), Peter and John had been a bit more deferential – “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.” Now, this second demand for silence is met with a bolder statement – “We must obey God rather than men!”
Those words have been used over the years to justify all sorts of civil disobedience, but we must be careful not to misapply Scripture. These words do not give everyone carte blanche to pursue their cause in the face of authority, just because they believe God is on their side. The context here must guide us. The Twelve were simply defending their right/obligation to preach the Gospel. Jesus had told them to go and preach the Gospel. They must obey Him rather than those who were offended by that Gospel.
- What will you do in this showdown in the court of human opinion?
- Oh Lord, fill us with your Spirit, so that we dare to obey Jesus rather than humanity and continue to preach the ancient Gospel.
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-13; Ezekiel 28:1-10; Mark 14:1-9
ESOCS Devotional 11 July 2024
