Source: http://searchingthegospel.com/LessonDetails.aspx?CourseId=2&LessonNumber=13&LessonId=141
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 16:35:26+00:00

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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. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women;) insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beads and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 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 headed everyone.
The Holy Spirit continued to confirm the word by many signs and wonders, according to v. 12. The parenthesis that includes the last part of v. 12 and all of v. 13-14 gives us some interesting information. The disciples continued to meet in and use Solomon's porch. I get the impression from v. 13 that the disciples and perhaps others showed even greater respect and awe to the apostles than before. Verse 14 shows the church was still growing. Women, as converts, are mentioned here for the first time, although they were implied before. Their mention here could mean the percentage of women being baptized had increased.
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, and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
The high priest was apparently Annas, the same one mentioned in v. 6 of Chapter 4. He was the presiding officer of the Sanhedrin. Annas served in this office for life and was accepted by the Jews as the rightful high priest. However, the Roman authorities appointed a political high priest, to suit them. Thus, the title was used by more than one person at a time. Caiaphas, who held the political office, was the son-in-law of Annas. They were both Sadducees. Notice the Sadducees were provoked or filled with indignation. It was this irrate group who arrested the apostles and put them in jail. The common prisons must have been the same cells where Peter and John were detained before. Like the last time, they were put in prison for detention until the next day, not to be punished. This must have had a negative psychological effect on hundreds or even thousands of the less courageous brethren, especially new converts. This is what the Sadducees were hoping, I'm sure. Let's read v. 19-20 and the first sentence in v. 21.
But the angel of the Lord by the night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught.
Speak henceforth to no man in this name.
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. But when the offices came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told, 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. Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priest heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
I would assume the council and senate of the children of Israel are the same thing. The council came together. Can't you just see those officers walking up to those empty cells. Can you imagine the excitement this generated? We learn something else here: there were guards or keepers by those prison doors. How did the angel handle that? If those apostles could speak languages they never learned, I believe the Holy Spirit could handle a simple problem like getting around a few guards. What about Annas and the captain? I'll bet they were about ready to hang some of the guards and officers. Notice the last part ofv. 24.
Then came one and told the, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
Then went the captain with the officers and brought them without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council.
The guards marched these 12 in. In the last pan ofv. 27 it indicates the high priest began his examination before the council. You would have expected the high priest to ask about how they got out of prison but this was not mentioned. Any answer they gave could have been embarrassing to the captain of the temple, it was not mentioned. And, it very well could be, the council members were not aware of what had happened for v. 24 mentions only the high priest, the captain, and the chief priests. This point is not certain. Verse 28 is the high priest's examining remark.
Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? And, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, who ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with this right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things' and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
The first part of their statement is the same as was used before the council the first time. The council claimed to derive its power from God under the Law of Moses. These apostles are saying: the council is not following the instruction of God. If they were as informed as they claim to be, they would recognize that Jesus was the Christ, whom God had promised to raise up. Notice in v. 30, the apostles do not back down on the charge about bringing Jesus' blood upon the council. Rather, they reaffirm the charge is true. They say that God exalted this Jesus, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins in v. 31. This is not a specific quotation from the prophets, but a summary in substance of the promises in the Old Testament. Now to clinch the argument, v. 32, they oppose the council, head-on, affirming they are witnesses of these things. Now a question; To whom does God give the Holy Ghost? (v. 32) the answer is to them that obey him.
were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Notice how the same message affects different persons! Jesus had taught the apostles in the parable of the sower, that different men have different hearts, which he compared to different soils. (Luke 8) Some in the council wanted to KILL THEM! They were willing to do whatever it took! Who cares about conscience? Compromise conscience! I want it my way! Have you experienced that attitude? On the other hand some must have been passive. Sometimes people are very rational, they consider the case on it's merit; they can put their finger on reality anywhere it exists. Then they say, "I know it's wrong, BUT...but, the crowd is doing it." Everybody else is doing it. Have you heard that kind of reasoning? When my children and students used to give me that old line, I would tell them: If everybody's doing it, that's probably a pretty good reason why you shouldn't. This council is composed of 70 - 72 men. Experienced, educated men; men looked up to and accepted as leaders, by the Jewish people. Now, do you believe every man in that group was a one-track thinker? Did they all have selfish motives? 70 men? Some didn't hesitate, KILL 'EM! But, there just had to be, some in that crowd, who saw the lame man healed. Some were there on Pentecost, they put guards around Jesus' tomb, they MUST have known Jesus arose from the dead, they had seen the miracles of Jesus. If these 12 were killed by this mob, or even if the politicked the Roman governor of Judea into doing it for them, as they did with Jesus; then it would be because some were passive. That is, they went along with the crowd. Pilate did it. Can you see how important it is to take a stand? Verse 34 tells us of just one such level-headed man. His name was Gamaliel.
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.
Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days arose 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 naught. 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. And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone: for it this council or this work be of men, it will come to naught: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow ill; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
take heed to yourselves what ye intended to do as touching these men.
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.
and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.
when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you.
Can you imagine that? Beaten with, we don't know how many stripes, they rejoiced. Oh! They had pain. You better believe it, it hurt. But, the sting of that whip was temporary and momentary. They would have dies, with the same attitude, had it been required. This life is God's proving ground. The life after, can be an eternity of bliss. If we understand this, we can rejoice right in the face of pain, discouragement, and bereavement. We will suffer shame for His name willingly. Verse 42 tells us how the apostles complied with that order of the council.
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased NOT to teach and preach Jesus.
Thus, the Holy Spirit got the message to those apostles and disciples and to us: Christianity grants no immunities for pain and the threats of this life. The message is clear, you must obey God regardless of conflicts with government, society and group pressures.

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