Acts 5
OGCTHE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM
All the events of the first seven Chapter s can be summed up under the heading: The Church in Jerusalem. In the picture of the preceding page you can observe an artist’s conception of Jerusalem as it appeared in the time of the events recorded in the book. Within the walls are designated four buildings. These are lettered and named as follows:
A.
The Upper Room,
B.
The Temple,
C.
The Public Ward or Jail,
D.
The Synagogue of the Libertines.
In and around these buildings, (which, with the exception of the Temple, are conjecturally located) all the events recorded in the first seven Chapter s took place. These events can be counted as eighteen in number and are so designated on the preceding page. You can follow these events, one by one, as to where they took place and as to what happened by following the numbers on the chart from one through eighteen and reading the scripture references given. The pages following are simply an enlargement upon the points or numbers you found upon the foregoing picture. The scripture is printed under the heading of the points and the comment following is intended to make the events recorded in the text a living reality to your mind and heart.
EXAMINATION OVER Chapter S THREE THROUGH SEVEN True or False
We see the power of Pentecost in action at the gate beautiful.
The lame man was healed at the third hour.
This healing took place at the temple beautiful.
The lame man spoke to Peter and John before they spoke to him.
The lame man had no feet before he was healed.
The lame man was healed instantaneously.
Peter told him to arise and walk.
The people of the temple recognized the beggar after he was healed.
The people immediately began to praise God for that which was done.
The theme of Peter’s sermon was the glorification of God’s servant Jesus.
The lame man was healed by faith.
Peter discusses both the free will of man and the foreknowledge of God in his second sermon.
Acts 3:19; Acts 2:38 are very favorably compared.
The season of refreshing doubtless refers to the reception of the Holy Spirit.
The promise of the second coming of Christ is dependent on the conversion of the Jews.
Multiple Choice
The times of the restoration of all things refers to: 1) The end of the world. 2) The fulfillment of all the prophesies of the O.T. 3) The restoration of the ancient order of Israel.
Moses said that: 1) God would one day raise up the Messiah. 2) God would one day raise up a prophet like unto Himself. 3) God would one day restore Israel.
Peter appealed to the heart of the Jew in the conclusion of his sermon by telling them of: 1) The advantages in being a Christian. 2) The terrible death of their Messiah. 3) The blessing that God promised them through Abraham that was now to be found in Christ.
Peter and John were arrested at: 1) twelve o-‘clock. 2) Three o-‘clock. 3) Sundown.
Peter and John were arrested by: 1) The high priest and captain of the temple. 2) The Pharisees and Sadducees, with the captain of the temple. 3) The captain of the temple, the priests and the Sadducees.
The real reason for their arrest was: 1) They taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 2) They disturbed the peace. 3) They had too large a crowd.
About this time Luke says: 1) There were 6,000 members in the Jerusalem church. 2) The number of men came to be about 5,000. 3) There were 8,000 members in the church,
- Ananias was the official or appointed high priest. 2) Caiphas was the official or appointed high priest. 3) Annas was the official or, appointed high priest,
There were 1) seventy or seventy-one, 2) Seventy-one or seventy-two. 3) Sixty-nine or seventy men in the Sanhedrin.
The Sanhedrin asked the following question of Peter and John: 1) What have ye done? 2) By what power or in what name have ye done this? 3) By what authority have ye done this?
Fill in The Blanks
Now when they beheld the _____________________ of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were __________ and __________ men, they ___________________ and took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13.
He is the ____________ which was set at nought of you the builders but was made the __________ of the corner. Acts 4:11.
Peter said: We cannot but speak the things which we and _____________________ Acts 4:20.
Being let go they came to their own ____________ and __________ all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. Acts 4:23.
And now Lord ______________ upon their threatenings and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all ________________. Acts 4:29.
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own but they had ____________ _________________________. Acts 4:32.
Can you find TEN MISTAKES in these sentences?
The apostles were enabled by the unity of the believers to give their witness of the resurrection with greater power.
Everyone sold everything so all could have some.
Jacob called Barnabas, having a field sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostle’s feet.
Ananias and Sapphira said they gave all when they only gave a part.
The sin of these two was two-fold; namely, the love of self and the love of money.
Peter attributed the sin to both Ananias and Satan.
It was one hour later that his wife came in and met her death.
But of the rest durst no man join himself to them refers to the rest of the members of the Jerusalem church.
Being added to the Lord is the same as being added to the church,
Peter’s shadow is said to have healed some.
The high priest and Sadducees led in the arrest of the eleven apostles.
The angel opened the prison door near the break of day.
The Sanhedrin had a branch it called the Senate.
The Holy Spirit was said to be a witness of the crucifixion, resurrection and coronation of Jesus.
The advice of Gamaliel was to refuse further opportunity to speak but not to mistreat the apostles.
Can You Put The Two Together?
Which of the following do you associate with Olivet? 1) Jerusalem. 2) Hope. 3) Ascension.
Which of the following do you associate with Judas?) Field of blood. 2) Apostle. 3) Servant.
Which of the following do you associate with Pentecost? 1) Celebration. 2) Many people. 3) Tongues of fire.
Which of the following do you associate with healing? 1) Miracles. 2) Powers. 3) The hands of the apostles.
With which of the following do you associate the break of day? 1) Solomon’s Porch. 2) Prayer. 3) Work for Christ.
What scripture reference do you associate with the second trial before the Sanhedrin? (Supply yourself).
Acts 5:1-11
a.
The Prayer Service. Acts 4:23-31.
And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto them.
And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:
who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say,
Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?
The kings of the earth set themselves in array,
And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord, and against his Anointed:
for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together,
to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel foreordained to come to pass.
And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,
while thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:23-30 The apostles left the assembly in triumphant joy but with no pride. Being let go they came to their own company. Who was this company and where were they gathered?
We are inclined to the opinion that the term refers to the other apostles and those who were their close friends and associates.
The upper room was the abode of the apostles (Acts 1:13) so it does seem reasonable that this was the place to which Peter and John returned upon this occasion.
Can we not imagine them entering the room and hurrying into the presence of their friends to tell with mingled joy and apprehension all that had been said and done? Immediately upon hearing the news the whole assembly cried out in a united prayer to God. Note the appropriativeness of this prayer (1) They were in need of protection and guidance and in their prayer they addressed God as the one who didst make the heaven and earth and sea and all that in them is. If He was indeed so great He could afford them protection and direction. (2) Then the second Psalm is quoted in which we have a description given by David hundreds of years before. The prophetic picture found its fulfillment in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. What Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles and the people of Israel did to Jesus was only in fulfillment of God’s purposes. Since, then, God had thus delivered in the terrible days of His Son’s adversity, He could now do the same for His chosen children. (3) The one petition made in this whole prayer was that God would consider the threatenings of His enemies and grant boldness to His servants as they spoke His word, that He would continue to accompany the words of the apostles with the signs and wonders that were already in evidence with their work. These supernatural demonstrations were to place the stamp of divine approval upon the words spoken by the apostles.
Who composed the company to whom the Apostles went following their trial?
Where was the company gathered? How do you know?
Give the three points of appropriativeness in the prayer of the company.
Acts 4:31 Almost before the last word of the prayer had been uttered the answer arrived. Notice please how the petitions of their prayer were answered:
- They prayed that God would consider the opposition and would in the face of it grant boldness. The answer: The place where they were meeting was shaken as a reed in the wind. This was the answer of the Lord reminding them that He had heard and was interested enough to let them know His concern. They, knowing His character, would realize that He would not thus answer them unless He was in agreement with their request. This gave them great boldness. 2) They prayed that God would continue to manifest His supernatural power; here in this earthquake He stamped an affirmative answer on the request. And so they were indeed in accord with the Holy Spirit and He could thus literally fill their hearts and lives. The closer in accord our spirit is to the Holy Spirit, the more completely does He fill our lives. Following this experience the little company could go forth into the city with God’s own assurance. They could truly speak the work of God with boldness.
Give the requests of the prayer and show how they were immediately answered.
The earthquake had what relationship to all being filled with the Holy Spirit?
b.
The Unity of Believers. Acts 4:32-37.
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
and laid them at the apostles-’ feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.
And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles-’ feet.
Acts 4:32-35 Since Pentecost, the creation day of the church, our attention has been centered upon the work of Christ in the lives of but two of His servants. Luke now opens the door of information to let us behold something of the work of the Master in the life of the whole church. Observe the wonderful power of Christ in the multitude of them that believed:
They were of one heart and one soul. There was total unity of love and faith.
They knew that they had been bought with a price and therefore they were not their own. But this unselfishness reached right into their material possessions and caused them to seek the common good of all. We have much talk of this unselfish attitude today but not much of its fruits.
This actual and practical unity afforded a bulwark of strength for the testimony of the apostles. The apostles could point to a group of living examples of the power of their resurrection message. Hence could they give with great power their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
–Great grace was upon them all. Because of the aforementioned virtues proceeding from the surrendered lives God’s favor and approval rested upon them.
Luke tells us why God’s favor and approval rested upon them. He says it was because of the utterly selfless attitude and life of the believers. There was none that lacked for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles-’ feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.
What change of thought is found beginning with Acts 4:32?
Give the four points in Acts 4:32-37 which manifests the power of Christ in the lives of those that believed.
How did the unity of the church afford to the apostles opportunity to give with greater power their witness of the resurrection?
What is the meaning of the statement great grace was upon them all?
Acts 4:36-37 An example is given of one who portrayed the spirit and work of the united Jerusalem church. Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas did like many others, sold his own field that his brethren might not be in want.
Who was given as an example of the unity of the Jerusalem church? What did he do?
c.
The First Church Discipline. Acts 5:1-11.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles-’ feet.
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it.
And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him.
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yea, for so much.
But Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out.
And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.
And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.
Acts 5:1-2 There is a little three lettered word that can be set up most anywhere in the chain of narrated events to serve as a stop sign. That word is but. Here in the midst of the history of the onward march of the church Luke must set up this stop sign. There was a great unity of belief, of possessions, and great were the results of this unitybut. It is here we have the first effort of Satan from within the body. We have witnessed in the past record the evil forces from without, but this chapter opens with the account of the first marks of the evil one within the fold. Let us notice the first church discipline.
Two members of the Jerusalem congregation, two members in good standing as far as those of Jerusalem knew, were Ananias and Sapphira, his wife. Someone might say that the possession of land was their trouble, that if they had not the possession they would have had no sin. This is not so for their sin was located in their heart and not in their field. The sin was twofold: the love of the praise of men and the love of money. No doubt those noble souls who sold that which was theirs for the help of others were admired by those of the church. This was what Ananias and Sapphira wanted, but they were not willing to obtain it through unselfish effort. Their difficulty lay in that root in their heart which is the source of all kinds of evilthe love of money.
What is peculiar about the efforts of Satan in the case of Ananias and Sapphira?
If Ananias and Sapphira had not owned the field would they have escaped the sin they committed?
What was the two-fold sin of Ananias and Sapphira?
Acts 5:3-10 According to Peter they were guilty of the sin of hypocrisy, of **pretending, **which amounted to nothing short of lying. Yes, of lying to the Holy Spirit. Peter also says that Satan was the **one who suggested **the decision of these two. How the words of Peter must have cut the heart of Ananias when he reminded him that he need not lay the blame upon the land, or by saying that if he had never had the land he would never have sinned (as we are so wont to do). Peter reminded him that it was purely a matter of his own choice, that he, in league with the Devil, decided to try to deceive God with a lie, to deceive not man, but God!
The congregation was no doubt greatly surprised when the sin of Ananias was brought to light before them all. But we are persuaded that even Peter himself was not prepared for the results of his rebuke. Here are the words of Luke which describe the startling incident. Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the spirit. We quote the fine expression of J. W. McGarvey as to the reason for such a stringent measure: There is no evidence that Peter had any will of his own in this sudden death. It seems to have been a sudden stroke of the divine will, the responsibility for which attached not to Peter as an officer of the church, but to God as the moral governor of men. The propriety of it may be appreciated if we suppose Ananias to have succeeded in his undertaking. His success would have been but temporary for the fraud, like all other frauds, would have been detected sooner or later, and when detection came it would have brought with it a serious discount in the minds of the people on the powers of the Holy Spirit dwelling in the apostles. To learn that the Spirit could be deceived would have undermined the whole fabric of apostolic authority and might have overthrown the faith of many, if not all. The attempt brought on a crisis of vital importance and demanded such a vindication of the power of the Spirit as could be neither mistaken nor forgotten. The immediate effect was precisely the effect desired: -Great fear (or awe) came upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things-’. The scene was too awe-inspiring for lamentation. Hence, there was no delay in the burial of this one. Such a one did not deserve anything more than a hasty burial of the Achan in the camp. The young men who acted as pall bearers were probably directed to do so by Peter. The whole congregation, the young men included, were also evidently explicitly told not to carry the sad news to Sapphira.
And so it came to pass that three hours had passed, probably spent in prayer and heart searching, when into the assembly stepped the wife of the deceased. With the discernment of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10) that was Peter’s he knew the moment Sapphira faced him that she was as guilty as her husband. But to bring before the minds of all present the complete evidence on the case and to allow Sapphira with her own mouth to condemn herself (knowing how much Ananias had laid at his feet as a full price for the land), he framed the question in the manner he did:
Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much (naming the price Ananias had given). Sapphira was all ready to carry out her part of the act and she answered, Yea, for so much. Peter gives to her the same rebuke he delivered to Ananias but adds the punishment to her rebuke which he did not do in Ananias-’ case. Peter says in essence: Your husband was struck dead for his part in this sinhe has just been buried; the feet of them that carried him to his grave are at the door to do the same for you. What a thought! Sapphira like her conspirator fell down under the hand of God and died at the very feet of the apostle. The young men who were about to enter came in and knowing the circumstances, finding Sapphira dead carried her out and laid her by her husband.
According to this incident what definition does Peter give for hypocrisy?
What portion of Peter’s rebuke must have cut Ananias the deepest?
How was this sin originated?
What two surprises are present in this incident?
Why was so stringent a punishment necessary?
What was the immediate result of the discipline?
Why was there such an immediate burial?
How it is that Sapphira did not know of the death of her husband?
How did Peter detect the guilt of the pair?
What did Peter add to the rebuke of Sapphira that he did not include in the rebuke of Ananias?
Acts 5:11 The failure of the plot proved as propitious to the cause of Christ as its success would have been disastrous. -And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.-’ This fear was excited not merely by the sudden and awful fate of the guilty pair; but also by the evidence which the incident furnished of the heartsearching power which dwelt in the apostles. The disciples now had a better conception of the nature of apostolic inspiration and the unbelieving masses were awed into respect and reverence. (Ibid. p. 87).
What did the death of these two add to the conception of the disciples?
Acts 5:12-16
ON SOLOMON’S PORCH. Acts 5:12-16.
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.
But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them;
and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both men and women.
insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them.
And there also came together the multitude from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
**Acts 5:12 **The outcome of the purity produced by the discipline.
-
It has already been noted that fear or holy awe was one result.
-
We must consider also that power was a fruit of the cleansing. The leaders of the church could effectively carry forth their work. The power by which they performed their work was vindicated. These men could not be deceived. They were God’s Ambassadors. When the apostles went forth into the temple area not just one sign or wonder was performed as with the lame man, but many signs and wonders were wrought among the people by the hands of the apostles. Solomon’s portico continued to be the place of meeting, but now not only the saints, but also many sinners came to see, and hear, and to be healed.
What is meant by the statement that, power was a fruit of the cleansing?
- But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them. Here is another result of this purity. We understand this passage to carry this meaning: That of the multitude of the unsaved (in contradistinction to the apostles in this case) none who might have some of the tendencies of Ananias and his wife dared join himself to these holy believers, lest there should fall upon him the same fate. But in it all the people magnified them. The people admired the straight and holy position of the apostles and the Jerusalem church. The world will always magnify a church that will stand uncompromisingly for holiness of life and word. It is only when the lives of the saints are diluted by worldly compromise that the church ceases to be a power and the world begins to laugh.
What is meant by: But of the rest durst not any man join himself to them?
- As we have said, the immediate result of holiness and preaching is the conversion of souls. In verse fourteen we have the statement that believers were the more added to the Lord; multitudes both of men and women. What is the meaning of the expression added to the Lord? When we refer to Ephesians 1:22-23 (and other passages) we find the church is referred to as the body of Christ, thus we can draw the logical conclusion that the thought of being added to the Lord was in reference to the action of being added by their conversion and baptism into the **Lord’s body, His **church, (Compare Acts 2:41; Acts 2:47.)
What is the meaning of the expression added to the Lord?
**Acts 5:15 **The intimation of verse fifteen is that many of these persons who became members of Christ’s body did so as a result of the miraculous deeds of the apostles, accompanied as they were with the word of truth, so that now we see the believers and others carrying the sick folk out into the streets, laying them on beds and couches, that as Peter came by at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them. The thought of healing power in Peter’s shadow was an Oriental superstition that attributed virtue to the shadow of a righteous man and evil to the shadow of a wicked man.
The text does **not **say that anyone was healed from Peter’s shadow, but only that this was the belief of the people.
Was there any healing power in Peter’s shadow? Explain your answer.
What connection did the miracles have with the conversions?
**Acts 5:16 **
- Verse sixteen speaks of the far reaching effects of the power of the Jerusalem church. The word of the apostles-’ miraculous ministry soon was carried to the cities round about Jerusalem and they brought their sick folk and those that were vexed with unclean spirits. They were not disappointed for they were healed **every one. **(Somewhat different than cases of healing today by those who claim the same power of the apostles.) Doubtless many of these same persons became Christians and thus caused churches to spring up in the cities round about Jerusalem. This probably accounts for the origin of the church visited by Peter at a later time. (Cf. Acts 9:31-32.)
When Peter and John stood before the high priest they had faithfully promised to disobey the charge given them: Not to preach nor teach any more in this name. They had taught and preached in this name with outstanding success. Note the progression of events:
- They returned from the Sanhedrin to their own company; they prayed and the Lord answered with great encouragement.
- Sin entered the fold but God turned it into a triumph for His cause.
- The apostles continued to preach on Solomon’s porch. The power of the apostles manifest in the punishment of Ananias and Sapphira greatly strengthened their position in the eyes of the common folk. The apostles were almost worshiped by those of the city. Every day their message and popularity grew.
What comment in verses Acts 5:12-16 speaks of the far reaching effects of the miraculous ministry of the apostles?
What difference can be noted between the healing of the apostles and of those of today who claim this power?
What relation does Acts 9:31-32 have with these miracles?
Acts 5:17-20
IN THE PRISON. Acts 5:17-20
17
But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,
18
and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.
19
But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,
20
Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.
**Acts 5:17 **This was too much for the high priest and the Sadducees. They could bear it no longer. Luke gives a picturesque word respecting the anger of the high priest and the Sadducees. He says. The high priest rose up, and all that were with him. As if they could sit still no longer. They could no longer witness this flagrant disobedience to their command. If the disobedience of these men had not caused such an interest among the people the high priest might have overlooked it, but how he was filled with jealousy.
**Acts 5:18 **These authorities came much as they had before, and laid hands upon the apostles and put them in the public ward. It will be of import to realize that **all twelve **of the apostles were jailed upon this occasion.
When man has reached his extremity, then it is that there is afforded to God an opportunity. The extremity had been reached. An emergency had arisen. What would have happened to the cause if all twelve of the apostles had been tried and condemned? This was exactly the plan of the Sanhedrin, not to stop with two of them, but to silence all twelve once and for all.
**Acts 5:19 **Hebrews 1:14 states that the angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation.
Upon this occasion God gave to one of these ministers a special task. the task of opening those doors that were only shut to the power of men. And so it was that the apostles had an angelic visitor in the quiet of the early morning hours. To their unspeakable amazement the angel opened the prison doors and lead them out. Why were they thus delivered? The angel answered this question when he had led them out under the stars of the Syrian sky.
What events had transpired that incited the wrath of the high priest?
What is the picturesque statement Luke gives that describes the wrath of the high priest?
What is there about the second arrest that is different from the first?
What was the purpose in the arrest of all twelve apostles?
Acts 5:20 Can you imagine the apostles with incredulous gaze searching the face of the angel for a reason for their freedom? Perchance the hearts of the apostles were troubled as they communed together in the dark of the prison; Why has God permitted this? Why has God thus dealt with us? If our message is what He wants preached why has He thus permitted us to be confined? Maybe He does not intend that we should speak any more in His name. All of these questions were answered, all of their fears were dispelled when the angel said: Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.
What question do you imagine was in the minds of the apostles upon their release by the angel? How was it answered?
Acts 5:21-41
ON SOLOMON’S PORCH. Acts 5:21 a
And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught.
**Acts 5:21 a **As the sun broke over the eastern horizon of the hills of Judea the apostles entered the familiar portico of the temple to take up their message where it had been interrupted the day before. Who would be in the temple at this hour? Perhaps a few of the disciples who because of anxiety and prayer did not sleep that night. They were here in this hallowed spot where they had heard the words of this Life. Here they could worship and pray. But here too they were to bet met by the twelve. How the faces of God’s servants must have been aglow with the inner joy of their victorious faith. How they must have preached as never before. In but a few moments the few who were present ran to carry the news to others and in a short while a multitude had gathered to listen.
Who would be in the temple at the break of dawn?
How do you suppose the apostles obtained an audience?
BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN. Acts 5:21 b - Acts 5:41.
a.
The assembling of the council and the apostle’s trial. Acts 5:21 b - Acts 5:28.
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-house to have them brought.
But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told,
saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow.
And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,
saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
Acts 5:21 b - Acts 5:23 A few short hours later, in another part of the temple, the high priest called the council together. Luke says that the high priest in assembling the council called all the senate of the children of Israel. This reference to the senate has to do with the Sanhedrin proper, the term senate comes from the word meaning older so it doubtless has reference to the official capacity of the Sanhedrin, or the elders. While this august assembly waited, the officers were sent to have the apostles brought. A few moments later the council members looked up to behold the officers returning but they were without their prisoners. They brought the astounding news that, although they found the prison locked and the guards at their stations, when the doors were opened they found no man within. The officers probably also questioned the keepers of the prison who could give no explanation of the disappearance of the apostles.
How could the council gather in the temple without observing the preaching of the apostles?
What is the meaning of the term Senate as it is used here?
What was the message of the soldiers upon their return from prison?
**Acts 5:24-28 **The captain of the temple and the priests had dealt with these men before and had been defeated in their efforts to oppose them, but when they heard the message of the officers they began to wonder **what **would be the result if the news of **this **event became common knowledge. While they were thus thinking, a certain man hurried into their midst to tell them that the very ones whom they had publicly apprehended and jailed were now in another part of the temple doing the very thing for which they had been twice arrested: Standing and teaching the people.
The captain of the temple went off to a mission he had performed before: to lay hands on the apostles and bring them before the council. But as he and the officers went to their task he must have felt somewhat different toward these men they were about to arrest than he did on the first occasion. The authorities knew that no violence could be exercised lest the people stone them.
Do you suppose this incident of the release of the apostles caused the council to think about their former experience with these men? Where is this suggested in the text?
b.
The answer of the apostles. Acts 5:29-32.
But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree.
Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.
And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Acts 5:29-32 Having been ushered in before the council the high priest immediately laid before them the two charges against them:
First, that they had violated the charge of the Sanhedrin; Second, that in their teaching they were seeking to place the blame of the death of Jesus upon the rulers of the Sanhedrin. The response of the apostles was straight to the point. With Peter as their spokesman they pleaded guilty to both charges.
Notice:
We have disobeyed your charge; We must obey God rather than men.
We intended to convey the thought that the blood of Jesus is upon your heads for you have slain Him and hung Him upon a tree. But God has raised Him up; indeed He has been exalted at the right hand of God. He is thus exalted and has gone through His suffering to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.
The apostles added one more thrust to this bold rebuke. They said in thought Concerning all these facts regarding Jesus we are personal witnesses, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God hath given to them that obey Him. The apostles witnessed the earthly work and triumph of Jesus whereas the Holy Spirit beheld not only this, but also His heavenly coronation at the right hand of the Father.
What two charges were made against the apostles?
What response did the apostles make to these charges?
What was the additional remark the apostles made following their answer to the charges?
What is the meaning of Act 5:32 b?
c.
The result of the defense and the advice of Gamaliel. The release. Acts 5:38-41,
But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were minded to slay them.
But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while.
And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do.
For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out 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 dispersed, and came to nought.
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.
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 be overthrown:
but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God.
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.
Acts 5:33 Ere the last words of the apostles died out on the air an angry rumble was heard among the council. The words struck home like a knife and they had to make a decision. The truth concerning sin applied to man’s conscience will either make him angry or cause godly sorrow for his sin. In the case of Pentecost godly sorrow was the result, here anger was manifest. The anger was growing in such intensity that it seemed inevitable that it would soon burst forth in a sentence of death.
State the two results of the truth applied to the heart and give an illustration of each.
Acts 5:34-41 When the storm was just about to break, there stood up one in the council and averted the terrible crisis. It is refreshing to meet here one who in the midst of the storm of emotion is governed by judgment rather than by hatred and pride.
Gamaliel, a Pharisee, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people. The same man from whom Paul was taught the law, (Acts 22:3), What had this man to say? Whatever it was, it was to be addressed to the Sandhedrin. There was much that could be heard by the apostles. The twelve were commanded by Gamaliel to step out of the presence of the Sanhedrin.
Speaking to the council, Gamaliel gave the following advice: Consider yourselves in the action you are about to take, He suggested that if they were to condemn these men to death and then it be found that evidence was wanting, it would go hard with them. His advice was, in light of this, let them alone. He gave substantial reasons for so acting. Two illustrations were used of movements that at their inception caused quite a stir but later came to nothing. The inference was made in the use of these illustrations, that the excitement concerning Jesus was probably of the same nature and would come to the same end. By leaving these men alone the Sanhedrin would be acting wisely, for then they could determine the origin of this movement by its fruit. It if was not of God it would come to nought. But if it indeed was of God it could not be overthrown with opposition, and if they did oppose it they would be fighting against God. This was sound advice and they could not help but see its wisdom. To him, in spite of their injured pride, they agreed. But they could not bear to let these men go without some punishment; so calling the apostles in they caused the apostles to be beaten with the 39 stripes of the Jewish law. This beating was just in the eyes of the council for they had disobeyed their charge.
Name three facts about Gamaliel.
Did the apostles hear the words of Gamaliel?
Why did Gamaliel say, Take heed unto yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do?
State in three words the advice of Gamaliel and then give the reasons for so acting.
**Acts 5:41 **The stripes laid upon their backs by the council were such as would cause their flesh to be torn and bleeding, and yet they left this meeting with a heart of rejoicing, not with the burdened spirit of a martyr but with joy that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. This was not a cross to be borne but a privilege to enjoy.
Of what did the beating consist?
What is wrong with the martyr complex or spirit?
What manifests the utter disregard of the Apostles for the punishment of the council?
THE SPREAD OF THE WORD. Acts 5:42.
And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ.
**Acts 5:42 **How lightly they considered the marks of the Jewish rods can be seen when we read that they went right back to the same place where they had been thrice arrested and ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ. Not content with this, they brought the same glad tidings to the neighborhood in which they lived.