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All right. So today we are continuing in our series in the book of Acts. And as many of you will already know, the Book of Acts is a history of the early church, a recording of the acts of the apostles who laid the groundwork of the church founded on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ. And it’s what we are participating in today, gathering us as God’s people in worship by His Spirit. Right? Ephesians two nine through 22 tells us, consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God and people, and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord and in and in him. You too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His spirit. We have the four Gospels as we open up the New Testament Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Different accounts of the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone. And then we have the book of Acts recording for us the transition from Jesus to the apostles and the church. And this when Jesus leaves, he gives his apostles a mission. And that mission is found in Matthew chapter 28 and repeated again in Acts chapter one, verse eight, which is to go and make disciples of all nations, and go out into the world and do that.
And in Acts chapter five, this mission is now underway, but it’s still in its infancy, right? Nathaniel covered Acts chapter five one, verses 11. And today, Lord willing, we will be able to finish chapter five of Acts. And verse 12 says this at the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders were taking place among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. Right at this point. All of the Christians in the entire world could fit under one roof, right? It was a pretty big roof right there. We have a model of the temple complex at the very back. You have. What is Solomon’s porch or portico where the early church met. And this was in the outer courts of the temple, which was the most accessible part. People from even Gentiles could go in there. And we get some other details from verse 12. It tells us they were in one accord. Which means they worshiped together in complete unity. Unity of doctrine, unity of purpose, unity of relationship, and perhaps even unity in rhythm, in clapping. You know that that would be crazy, right? That was a joke. They were in one accord, which means there was no discontentment, bickering or grumbling and complaining, which, as Nathaniel talked about last week, stands in stark contrast to the book of Exodus and the story of Moses, which mirrors the book of Acts in a lot of ways.
One of those ways is in Moses making a covenant with God, with the people of Israel, and Jesus also making a covenant with people, the New covenant. And unlike the Israelites, the church is united in purpose and united in in relationship and united in doctrine, as opposed to the Book of Exodus, if you’ve ever read it, the people of Israel are not in one accord. They want to kill Moses a few times. They want to go back to Egypt. They’re constantly grumbling and complaining. But here we see the church meaning the assembly of God. God’s people in one accord, singularly focused on knowing Jesus and making him known. Right. The last thing we observe in verse 12 is that the apostles were performing signs and wonders, and we get an idea of what these signs and wonders looked like in verses 15 through 16. What were the signs and wonders like? Well, they were to such an extent that even that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on any of them. Also, the people from the cities and the vicinities of Jerusalem came, were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed. First of all, that is wild. It’s not explicitly said that Peter’s shadow did heal people, but it’s implied that it did.
And people are surrounding him, and they’re coming from all over to get close to Peter and the apostles so that they can be healed. And maybe more incredible than even the healing is everybody being in one accord. Thousands of people in one accord. And what it’s telling us here in Acts chapter five, verses 12 through 16, is that the Holy Spirit is at work in the church, right? Them being in one accord. These miraculous signs and miracles are indicators or signs that the Holy Spirit, that God is working and blessing the apostles and the church, and it becomes obvious and apparent to the outside world that although Jesus is gone, On the work that Jesus began is continuing. And the question is how? It’s because the same spirit is working in the lives of the apostles, right? The apostles were performing signs and wonders in the same mold as Jesus, even even when he was in his earthly ministry. And this movement of Jesus is not dying with his death, but in fact coming alive with his resurrection. And you expect everyone who is seeing these miracles, seeing the Holy Spirit working and seeing that even, you know, Jesus dying and his disciples carrying on this work and the blessing and hand of God on the church that they would want to join and be a part of that. But verse 13 and 14 gives us their response.
It says this, but none of the rest dared to associate with them. However, the people held them in high esteem, and all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women were constantly added to their number. Right. Meaning the vast majority of the Jewish people rejected Jesus and were resistant to be seen as a part of this Jesus movement. And so the church was ostracized. And you know why? Why did that happen? Well, I can think of three reasons that are probably more, but three reasons stood out to me. First and foremost is that there is social pressure, right? Social pressure that’s keeping people from joining the church. Because once you join the church, the people want nothing to do with you. No one dares associate with you. So once you join, you will be shunned by your friends, your family, people you were close to. And that was a dangerous and scary thing to then be a part of this thing that you don’t know what it is. You know where you you know, you know where you came from. And that social pressure kept people from joining the church. Number two is that there are those who desired the blessings of Jesus, right? The healing and other and other things. Yet they rejected his lordship, right? Even when Jesus was around, there are plenty of people who were healed by Jesus but never followed him.
Right? And they’re not. Everyone who was healed in the book of Acts became a follower of Jesus. And there are always have been and always will be, even back then at the beginning of the church. Those who want the benefits of Christ or the blessings of Christ, but don’t want him to be Lord or to give up their autonomy in any way. Thirdly, there is a fear of what will happen to them if they join, right? Everybody knows the religious leaders who are in charge of Israel under the Romans just killed Jesus. And they didn’t do it in secret or in hiding. Everybody knows they did it, and they did it to share a message with everyone. Right. The reason they crucified him was to humiliate Jesus as much as they could, and to terrify anyone who would try to do the same thing because crucifixion. Crucifixion was a statement of authority, declaring that to all that if you got out of line, we have the capability of destroying you in the most inhumane way possible. You better keep yourself in line. Yet, even with those obstacles that we talked about, those pressures that keep people from joining the church, it tells us that the followers of Christ in the first century in Jerusalem were held in high esteem, high regard, even though they were shunned. And because it was evident that they walked in integrity and love, and that God was blessing their mission and what they were doing.
So despite their exclusion and fear, people kept joining, which became dangerous for them, became dangerous for the apostles became dangerous for the early church. Why? Because just as Jesus began to be a threat to the religious leaders, those same religious leaders are now perceiving his own disciples with their growing number of followers as the same threat resurfaced. What they’re saying is a problem. But even more of a problem is that people are listening to them. And in Acts chapter four, the apostles are giving a given, a warning by the Sanhedrin, the the religious leaders. And in Acts five they will try and subdue this threat. Threat cow the disciples into submission and into silence. Acts 517 through 18 says this. But the high priest rose up along with all his associates, and they were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in public jail. So the exact reason the religious leaders hated and killed Jesus. They also imprisoned the apostles. For what reason? Jealousy. The apostles were taking what in their mind rightfully belonged to them. They were the Sadducees. They were the elite. They were highly educated. And they deserve to be honored and to follow, to be followed. Not these upstarts, not these uneducated fishermen from Galilee. Right. Or tax collectors and the different types of occupations that these these people had. They were uneducated compared to them.
And they looked down on them and thought, we are not going to give up our influence, our place without a fight. And we see in even the earliest stages of church history, opposition to the mission that Jesus gave his apostles begin to emerge from both within the church and without. Right. You get to the book of Acts, chapter five and one through 11 is about Ananias and Sapphira and Ananias and Sapphira were threats from within the church, two people who tried to use the church’s charity in standing to gain praise, influence and financial gain, compromising the integrity of the church, attempting to deceive not only the church, but, as Acts five tells us, deceive God and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit. This week in the second part of Acts chapter five, we see the opposition start to cement itself from the outside the church, attempting to intimidate the apostles into giving up and stop preaching about Jesus. And these threats are concerning, disheartening and unjust. They were all those things. But one thing they weren’t was surprising. They shouldn’t have come as a surprise to the apostles. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who follows Jesus. For Jesus, as well as the New Testament, gives us ample warning that these types of threats would come right. Oh John 1518 through 19 says, says this if the world hates you, know that it has hated me before.
It hated you. But if you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world. But I chose you out of the world because of this. The world hates you. Matthew 1016 through 17 says this I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. And in Matthew 715 it says this. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. These are just a handful of verses from the the Gospels. There are many more throughout the New Testament that warn believers that there will be threats from outside the church, as well as within the church, and that we shouldn’t be naive to think that if we follow Christ, life will be easy and everybody will love us. And if someone claims to be a Christian or a follower of Christ, they love Christ genuinely and have your best intention at heart at all times, right? So as this may not be a surprise to the apostles, I can’t imagine it being a welcome one. And maybe they thought they had more time, because this is only a few months after Jesus being killed. And. The thing is, the church is at a very tenuous position at this point.
They’re very vulnerable. And this mission that Jesus gave them is at stake, because they’ve only been around for a little bit and are concentrated only in the city of Jerusalem. And like we said earlier, all of the all, all the Christians in the entire world could fit under one roof, even if it was a big roof, right? And timeline wise, it was. This was only a few months. A few months ago, these same guys who are getting threats of death and imprisonment turned their back on Jesus and ran away. Denied Jesus and wanted nothing to do with him. That was only months ago. How are they going to respond? What’s going to happen to this mission that Jesus gave them? Verse 19 of Acts chapter five says this. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out, he said, go, stand and speak to the people in the temple, the whole message of this life. Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the council together, even all the senate of the sons of Israel and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought, but the officers who came did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported back, saying, we found the prison house locked quite securely, and the guards standing at the doors.
But when we had opened up, we found no one inside. Now, when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. I mean, if I was them, I would think the only logical explanation is someone got bribed or someone something happened like that. There’s no way that these guys got out. I’m not thinking that an angel of the Lord is coming and breaking them out in the middle of the night. Verse 25 says this, but someone came and reported to them, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people. Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence, for they were afraid of the people that they might be stoned. Right? We see this miracle in the middle of the night. An angel of the Lord appears to them, releases them from jail, and tells them to continue preaching the gospel, continue preaching this life the very thing that they were locked up for in the first place. And I have never met an angel, at least to my knowledge. I don’t know, but at least to my knowledge. But I do know that you do not say no to an angel, because they are messengers of the Lord, right? Their message is from God. And quite clearly throughout this chapter it is seen that God is behind this mission and message of Jesus.
And because of that, the disciples do not shy away and boldly proclaim Christ in the temple where anyone could hear them. And naturally, the religious leaders aren’t going to take this lying down. Right. We see their reaction in verse 27. It says this. When they had brought them, they stood them before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, we gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in the name, in this name. And yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. But Peter and the apostles answered, we must obey God rather than man. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to his right hand as a prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. Now, I think it’s a shame that microphones did not exist in the first century, because I can’t think of a better time in world history where a mic drop was more appropriate than right then, because in no uncertain terms, Peter tells them, we’re going to we’re going to keep speaking the truth. No matter what you do to us or how badly you want us to stop.
This is what happened. And God commands us to keep preaching Jesus, who he raised from the dead. We are not going to submit to you, but rather we are committed to obeying God. Jesus is the Messiah. You did crucify him. He alone gives salvation. You do not. We are witnesses of his power because we have seen his resurrection. Their response in verse 33 it says this. But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. Now we don’t use that expression all too often. Cut to the quick. But what it means is to be severely distraught. In maybe modern terminology, they were triggered, right? Very triggered. And Peter didn’t give them a warning. Can you imagine that? Right. They were so distraught and furious about what Peter said, that they wanted to put him to death, put all the apostles to death. And because God is working in this state, In this situation, wisely and providentially, a Pharisee named Gamaliel speaks up, and more than likely this is the same Gamaliel who instructs the Apostle Paul, who is was his teacher. And unironically or ironically, I said that the first service. Ironically, Saul doesn’t listen to the words of his teacher here because the teacher is like, we should leave these guys alone. Saul, after this goes on a crusade to destroy the early church, right? Let’s read what Gamaliel says in verse 34.
It says this. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up in the council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. And he said to them, Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. For some time ago, Theudas rose up claiming to be somebody, and a group of about 400 men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee, rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him, he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men, and let them alone. For if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them, or else you may even be found fighting against God. Right. Gamaliel cautions the council not to act rashly, for in so doing they could be fighting against God himself. And it seems like Gamaliel isn’t entirely convinced, like the rest of the Sanhedrin, that Jesus was a heretic. And he gives the advice to wait and to see. For there have been many who have claimed to be someone, and time and death has exposed them for who they are.
And of course, they were battling against God, God and his people. And it really wouldn’t have mattered what they did, for it was clear then, and it is clear now that God was establishing his church. And as Jesus said in Matthew chapter 16, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Right. And we get their reaction. The rest of the Sanhedrin’s reaction to Gamaliel in verse 40 it says this. They took his advice, and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them. Not pleasant either. A little better than death. And ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and then release them. So they went on their way from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for his name. And every day in the temple, and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. What a change had come over these men, these disciples. These men were once cowardly men who deserted Jesus without really any threat to their own life. Yet now, in this story, only months later, they are enduring intimidation, Asian torture, threats of imprisonment, death, and possible crucifixion. And now rejoicing because they faced that. How is that possible? First and foremost, it is because they have received the Holy Spirit, right? Acts chapter two details that for us.
And in second Timothy 117 it tells us this. He that being God has not given us a spirit, the Holy Spirit, a fear or timidity, but of power, love, and self-control. Right. It is the Spirit of God moving in them that is allowing them to boldly proclaim the gospel no matter what. And that same spirit that was given to the apostles is also promised not just to them, but every follower of Christ, right? Verse 32. Just earlier, when Peter was talking, he says, and we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. Ephesians 113 through 14. Breaks it down in tremendous detail. It says this. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. For when you believed you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession to the praise of his glory. It’s not the apostles personality types or who they were born as that allows them to be these bold, amazing witnesses for Christ. In fact, if it was that, they would have turned tail and ran a long time ago. It is the Holy Spirit that indwells them bearing its fruit, and we as believers have access to that same spirit that allows us to also be effective, courageous witnesses for Christ.
Secondly, the apostles are living for a different kingdom now. We talked a lot about threats today. Right. There are a lot of threats being made, threats to the Pharisees, threats to the church, threats to the apostles. What makes a threat effective? There are a lot of things that make a threat effective. But probably the most important thing about making a good threat. I’m not trying to give anyone advice here, but is to threaten someone. Something that someone cares most about. The more you value something, the more effective the threat will be, right? If you threaten, I don’t know someone else’s lawn. I don’t care about that lawn. Go right ahead. If you threaten my lawn, I care a little. I don’t care that much. But if you threaten, right? My my my son or my my wife, something’s happening. Like I’m calling someone some. I’m going to do something about that, right? Because I value them. Why did the religious leaders react the way they did? Because what they loved most in this world was threatened. Their influence, their positions of power and authority were under attack. Their kingdom, their ego was under siege, and in their minds, the apostles. Where were their enemies? Sworn enemies. But the reality was the apostles weren’t fighting against them. They were actually fighting for them. Because they desired for all to come to know Jesus. Not wanting any to perish but have everlasting life.
So despite what they did, they were willing to keep preaching. Christ, and the threats to the apostles had no effect whatsoever. Why? Because they were living for a different kingdom. They weren’t living for their ego or themselves. They weren’t threatened. They weren’t even in service to their own lives. But for the kingdom of heaven to be made known and to be shared. And I can only imagine Jesus’s words on the sermon on the Mount echoing in their minds as they rejoice. And probably when they heard these words, they thought, sure, Jesus, I don’t know what you mean here. This is crazy, right? Matthew 510 through 11 says, this blessed meaning happy are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great. For in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. And here’s the reality, you guys, is that the world is full of threats. It’s a terrifying place. And I don’t know about you, but it seems like everything just keeps getting crazier and crazier every day. Yet, as we read in Ephesians two, our citizenship is not of this world. The kingdom we are living for as followers of Christ is not of this world and cannot be threatened because it cannot be taken away.
As Romans eight says, neither life nor death, nor past, present, or future can separate us from the love that is in Christ Jesus. And we always need reminding of that. And we also need reminding of what Ephesians 612 tells us. And it says this. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. I don’t think I’m breaking any news here, guys, but the message of Christ is threatening to the strongholds of Satan and the fortresses of sin that are in this world, and there is a good chance that people will react to the message of Christ, the gospel, in the same way the religious leaders did. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. Only God. And we can take comfort in that fact that his plans are for his people’s good and his glory. And if that we and if we belong to him, there is nothing that can separate us from his love. Nothing can take away our greatest treasure. And we, as followers of Christ, are called to carry on the same mission, in the same spirit, for the same God with the same message as the apostles did.