The Church of the Resurrection of Peace

12/02/08

The Acts of the Apostles-Week 7

Chapter 5

Verses 26-41

1.      verses 26-28…the Apostles are arrested again (after the release by the angel) and brought before the Sanhedrin (a group of Jewish judges similar to the Supreme Court). The Apostles are reminded of the command not to teach “…in this name”. The Apostles are accused of trying to put the blood of Jesus on the hands of the Sanhedrin…”guilty of this man’s blood”

2.       verses 29-32…the response of Peter and the Apostles…v 29…”Peter and the other Apostles replied…” (showing again the unity of the Apostles to speak and think as one). FOOD FOR THOUGHT: We must always work to see that Resurrection of Peace maintains a oneness of thought. This will keep us doing work that will be pleasing to God. What could be done in Huntsville (the country/world) if the was a oneness of thought throughout the Church?  The Apostles once again reply to the Jewish officials that it is better to obey God than men. vv 30-32…the crucifixion and resurrection are again stated to the Jewish judges along with the accusation that they are the ones that killed Jesus. v 31…Jesus is exalted to the right hand of God and is able to give repentance and forgiveness to Israel. NOTE: Remember, it was believed that ONLY God could forgive sin. Jesus used the phrase “…your sins are forgiven you”. This caused many problems in that it was putting Jesus equal with God to forgive sin. The Apostles emphatically state that Jesus is at the right hand of God and is able to forgive sin (and therefore equal with God). The Apostles are witnesses as is the Holy Spirit to these things and God has given the Holy Spirit to those that obey. Who is the Holy Spirit?

3.       verse 33…the Sanhedrin erupts and wants the death of all the Apostles.

4.       verses 34-40…Gamaliel (a great and respected teacher and perhaps the same Gamaliel that was the teacher of Saul that became Paul upon his conversion) Gamaliel urges caution by reminding the group of past uprisings and the outcomes. In the past, the leaders were killed and the revolts fell apart. These events were of men. However, this may not be the case here and if this is of God, it cannot be stopped. If it is merely from men, it will stop itself.  The Apostles were flogged (40 lashes minus 1 being the Jewish formula for flogging) and released.

5.       verses 41-42…the Apostles…”left rejoicing” after being beaten because they were beaten for the cause of Christ. v 42…”day after day…” the Apostles did not falter in the teaching of the “good news that Jesus is the Christ”. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Have any of us been “beaten” for the cause of Christ? If not with a whip, perhaps with words or actions?