Acts 5:12-42 (KJV) "[12] And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. [13] And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. [14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) [15] Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
[16] There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. [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, [18] And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. [19] But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, [20] 'Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.' [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. [22] But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, [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.' [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. [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.' [26] Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. [27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, [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.' [29] Then 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 ye slew and hanged on a tree. [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. [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.' [33] When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. [34] Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; [35] And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. [36] For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. [37] After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. [38] And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: [39] But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. [40] And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
[41] And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
[42] And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."
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It seems that a lot of us Christians today seem a little wary about this whole suffering thing. We tense up, and as Americans we often attempt to avoid suffering as much as possible. But it wasn't that way with the early church. In fact, they were honored. We don't like pain, we don't like shame, but the Apostles were honored that they were even considered for the participation of it.
In verses 12-16 we see that the ministry of the Apostles is growing, and it seems as if nothing is holding them back.
"[14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both men and women."
"Multitudes," it says. So in this part they've been pretty successful. Kind of like us, if we start doing something for God, and then He blesses it; maybe a little bit, or maybe even a lot.
But then in the next section, the trial comes forth. Something big happens that throws the entirety of everything out of whack.
"[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, [18] And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison."
So they're out there preaching and healing their hearts out, serving God with a passion, and then the higher ups come and throw them in jail! There have been a lot of times in my life where I felt led by the spirit to do something, but because of certain people around me, I was afraid to do it.
I'm sure others have had the same experience.
What I do know is that if I went ahead and ran with it, even in spite of that fear, it always turned out better for me in the end, than if I had given in and given up. And that's what happens here.
Now, God gets them out of prison and sends them back to continue their work, basically to do it again. And when they meet up with the higher ups, they do not get a welcome response:
"[27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, [28] saying, 'Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in His name? And, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.' "
So that's their accusation. I love the apostles' response:
"[29] Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, 'We ought to obey God rather than men."
I love that. "We ought to obey God rather than men." And we really should. He demands it. And, Proverbs says "the fear of man is a snare."
So when the apostles were done speaking, the authorities were going to kill them, but Gamaliel, a Pharisee, said that if they weren't from God, that it would be God who put them down; but if they were from God then did not dare go against them.
So, instead of killing them, they just beat them a few times, and then they let them go.
"[40] And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go."
But even all this is not what gives me kicks about this passage. It is the next two verses that hit the nail on the head.
"[41] And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. [42] And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."
That is just beautiful. There is no other way to put it. Before I saw this passage, I don't ever think I even thought about the concept that it might be honorable for me to suffer shame. It's almost as if they were admitted into a prestigious society, or given exclusive awards. But it was in the form of shame.
Again, I have no idea who or when people will read this. But I pray that those who do would be blessed by this example, and be encouraged by it to share their faith--to teach and preach Jesus Christ without ceasing. That is my hope, and I hope some of you are blown away by it. I was :)
