Sunday, August 8, 2021
Acts 5:17-32
“Righteous Rebellion”
Service Overview:
Jail wasn’t enough to keep the good news of Jesus from coming out of the mouths of the apostles. They had been so radically transformed by Jesus, they had no choice but to obey God rather than man.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 (NIV)
Background Information:
- Smarting from the apostles’ refusal to heed their threats, and in light of the growing popularity of the Christian movement, the Jewish authorities clamped down. They arrested and jailed Peter and his colleagues. When God miraculously freed his spokesmen in the night, the apostles marched straight back to the temple and resumed their preaching! (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 81)
- Then the commander of the temple guard went with the attendants of the temple and brought the Twelve “without using force” (NEB), because they were afraid the people would turn on them and stone them. They had dealt with mobs before and knew what a mob spirit and mob violence could do. (Stanley M. Horton, Acts, Kindle Locations 2816-2818)
- In his narrative, Luke states that no violence was used in the arrest because the captain and his guard feared the reaction of the people (v.26b). This says something about the early Christians’ response to Jesus’ example of nonviolence and nonretaliation when he was arrested (cf. Mark 14:43-50, II), for they might have begun a riot and thus extricated themselves. It also continues the theme of “the favor of all the people” in 2:42-47 (Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 320)
- Palestine was always an inflammable country; if this were not checked it might well result in some kind of popular rising; and that was the last thing the priests and Sadducees wanted, because then Rome would intervene. (Barclay, Acts, 47)
- It would be bad enough to be a Pharisee, to have condemned Jesus, and then to have it preached in Jerusalem that God raised him from the dead. You would have been responsible for his execution, yet you would have at least believed in the resurrection. How much worse for the Sadducees! They did not believe in the resurrection. For them, the preaching of Christ was an attack on their knowledge of the Scriptures and their theological position. (Boice, Acts, 106)
- The phrase “angel of the Lord” denotes divine intervention. The angel of the Lord refers to God’s presence. What made this incident even more remarkable was that the Sadducees, who had sent the apostles to jail (5:18), did not believe in angels! (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 82)
- “By hanging him on a tree” is a locution for crucifixion and stems from Deuteronomy 21:22-23. While xylon was used in antiquity and in the LXX variously for “a tree,” “wood” of any kind, “a pole,” and various objects made of wood, including “a gallows,” it is also used in the NT for the cross of Jesus (cf. 10:39; 13:29; Gal 3:13 [quoting Deut 21:23]; 1 Peter 2:24). (Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 320)
The question to be answered is…
How is it the apostles were justified in defying their governing authorities when scripture commands otherwise?
Answer…
Obeying God always outweighs obedience to any earthly authority, and the apostles had unquestionable support from God to do what they were doing.
The word of the day is… Resist
What should stand out in this account of the apostles’ righteous resistance?
- The respect they earned preceding it.
(v. 26 | Prov. 3:35; 10:9; 21:21; Acts 2:47; 3:11; 4:16; Galatians 5:22; 6:9; Philippians 4:8)
The key difference between the religious leaders and the apostles was that the religious leaders demanded respect and reverence for themselves, while the apostles’ goal was to bring respect and reverence to God. The apostles were respected not because they demanded it but because they deserved it. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 82)
Note that the officers did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. The expanding reputation of the church and various “power” events associated with it—miraculous healings, the death of some members for lying to the church, this miraculous jailbreak—would certainly make the leaders careful. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 85)
- The support given in the midst of it.
(v. 19 | Ps. 46:1; 55:22; 54:4; Prov. 3:5-6; Isaiah 41:10; Philippians 4:13; Hebrews 4:16)
God took supernatural action, not so much to protect the apostles, as to insure that the proclamation of the gospel would continue uninterrupted. (Phillip A. Bence, Acts: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, Kindle Edition)
Where human help is at an end, God’s help begins. (Martin Luther, Table Talk, ca. 1546)
- The conviction and courage displayed throughout it.
(v. 29 | Joshua 1:9; Psalm 27:14; 31:24; Proverbs 28:1; John 16:33; Acts 4:13; James 1:12)
The apostles also learned that their message was more important than their comfort. Just as Jesus is the Source of life, so the gospel brings life itself. To suppress the gospel is to deny life. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 66)
Faith in God does not make troubles disappear; it makes troubles appear less frightening because it puts them in the right perspective. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 82)
Conclusion…
How can a text like this challenge and shape our faith?
A. By striving to live a life of virtue deserving of respect.
(Matthew 7:12; Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3; Titus 2:7; 1 Peter 2:17; 2 Peter 1:5-8)
Hebrews 2:10 calls Him “the Pioneer [captain] of their salvation,” for our salvation experience must never become static. The Christian life is not a parking lot; it is a launching pad! It is not enough just to be born again; we must also grow spiritually (2 Peter 3:18) and make progress in our walk. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 340)
People who cannot restrain their own baser instincts, who cannot treat one another with civility, are not capable of self-government … without virtue, a society can be ruled only by fear, a truth that tyrants understand all too well. (Charles Colson, How Now Shall We Live?, 372)
B. By developing convictions today that bolster our obedience of Jesus tomorrow.
(Ex. 23:22; Luke 6:46; John 14:15; Phil. 4:13; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Peter 1:14; 1 John 5:3)
The search for truth and meaning is a lifelong process, and if you ever think you have all the answers, you can become insufferable and dangerous. That is why I still consider myself a seeker. I have passionate convictions, as I’ve said, but I’m still on a pilgrimage. I’m learning new things every day. (Charles Colson, The Good Life, xxi)
Tomorrow’s character is made out of today’s thoughts. Temptation may come suddenly, but sin doesn’t. (Randy Alcorn, The Purity Principle, 41)
We are saved by God’s grace when we believe in Jesus and put our faith in him, but biblical belief is more than something we confess with our mouths; it’s something we confess with our lives. (Kyle Idleman, Not A Fan, 104)
C. By readying ourselves to stand for Christ if and when the time should come.
(Josh. 1:9; Acts 2:38; Rom. 13:1-5; 1 Cor. 16:13; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Heb. 13:6; James 1:12; 1 Peter 3:15-16)
When the government requires us to do that which contradicts what God plainly orders us to do, then we must say, as Peter and the other apostles did, “We ought to obey Cod rather than men” (v. 29). But let’s be careful that it is God who is commanding us through His Word, and not just some anti-government whim of our own which we have dressed up in religious garments. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Acts, 56)
Just stop and think of all the evils which have been perpetrated in the name of religion. We in America know so little of this sort of affliction for our faith. I sometimes think it wouldn’t hurt if we did have some persecution, for the church has always been at its purest when the going has been rough and when it has cost something to name the name of Jesus Christ. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Acts, 55)
Gospel Application…
The greatest news of all is that Jesus came to call everyone to repentance so that we can be forgiven; and in being forgiven, we can be freed.
(v. 31 | Mat. 4:17; John 3:16; 8:32; Acts 3:19; 17:30; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:1; 1 Peter 2:16; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 1:9)
Life is used to symbolize the new quality of existence that comes to us when we receive the Life as our Lord and Savior and indwelling King. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). The secret of that is stated in Colossians 1:27, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” And that glory begins now! Joy, peace, hope, freedom. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 126)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What biblical commands, if obeyed, might result in discomfort for you today?
- How can you be sure that when you take a stand on something, you are in fact doing so for the right reasons?
- How can we avoid the temptation to flippantly defy our governing authorities? In what cases might we see CLEAR biblical backing requiring our resistance?
- Have you ever been in a position where you were compelled to speak up about what you believe? How did it go? What was the result?
- How can developing virtue lead to earning the respect of others? How can you be intentional about developing virtue?
Quotes to note…
God will come into any dungeon—there is none too dark or deep. He holds the keys to unlock any door—there is none too complicated or confusing for him. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 83)
The gospel is more than a philosophy or a set of precepts. It, through the work of the Holy Spirit, gives life (and salvation is implied; cf. 3: 19; 13: 26). (Stanley M. Horton, Acts, Kindle Locations 2788-2789)
After Pentecost, the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ spread rapidly in Jerusalem as Spirit-empowered witnesses shared the gospel with the lost. Signs and wonders accompanied the preaching of the Word, and no one could deny that God was at work in a new way among His ancient people. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 339)
The word “life” is used to summarize all that happens between and among those in whom Christ lives. When we speak of “our life together,” we employ the word “life” to define what happens when two people or a group are in a place with some level of communication as persons. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 126)
Whenever God’s truth is simply and clearly stated, unregenerate people fly into a rage. They oppose the truth in the only way they can think of — with violence. The truth of the Christian gospel attracts some people but enrages others. It is disturbing because it demands a response. Those who do not respond in repentance must respond in rebellion. (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 86)
Isn’t it strange that the first—century ministerial union should be annoyed and indignant that people were getting saved, healed, and blessed. But that’s frequently the case. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Acts, 54)
If we are very angry about something, especially in religion, it is probably a sign that we are on the wrong track. There is such a thing as righteous anger, of course. The Lord had that kind of anger against those who were keeping others from the truth, who were setting up barriers for them and making merchandise of spiritual things. That is why I say that anger probably shows that we are on the wrong track. But when anger is not righteous, as it usually is not, we need to deal with it. The leaders’ anger was an indication that something was wrong. – (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 107)
In Caiaphas’s remarks, note that he would not even mention the name of the one in whose authority the apostles were teaching; instead, he strictly ordered the apostles not to teach in this name, because the leaders did not want to be considered guilty of this man’s blood (even though they were—see Matthew 27:25). (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 85)
You are tempted to smile as you imagine the surprised looks on the faces of the guards when they discovered that their most important prisoners were gone. And just imagine the astonishment of the envious members of the Sanhedrin when they heard the report! Here they were trying to stop the miracles, but their actions only multiplied the miracles! (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 340)
God does not suggest that sinners repent and believe; He commands it. (Acts 17:30) (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 340)