The Trial: 5:26-39

Acts 5:26-39

26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice...

Once again the apostles are re-arrested and are then made to stand before the Jewish authorities a 2nd time for questioning. What we are witnessing is the limits or powerlessness for the earthly authority that sets itself against the glory of God.

There are two authorities: (1) The World, who commanded the apostles not to teach of Jesus (2) Jesus who commanded the apostles to preach his gospel. RESULT: They had filled Jerusalem with their teaching, and on top of that were determined to to bring this man's blood upon them. Which apparently they didn't seem to remember that is exactly what they had requested.

The Apostles had no plan on obeying the world in opposition to the Christ, and on top of that, they had no plan on defending themselves but to simply lift of the Christ at all cost. Let me point out, just as we did in the last post, that it is generally our responsibility to obey all civil authority, until they cross the line of calling us to disobey God. Which is exactly what we see being played out in the lives of the apostles. So, as the apostles show that there is no true power in the authority of the state, they emphasize two elements about God.

1. First, they contrast the lasting ability of different authorities: The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree - in other words, your authority has limits.
2. Second, God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins, once again, overriding their authority, even if they merely choose to condemn the flesh, God overrides it and grants salvation to those he chooses, not matter the earthly verdict.

Let us be quick to notice that this short sermon begins and ends with obedience to God, this is our mandate. Okay, so now that the Religious authority has been proven to be no stronger than straw when compared to God's authority, they are angry, and ready to go nuts on the Apostles. However, a man by the name of Gamaliel steps in and stops the Pharisees from putting the Apostles to death. Gamaliel was a Pharisee and the grandson and follower of the liberal Rabbi Hillel, and was given the title Rabban or 'our teacher.' Gamaliel had a reputation for his scholarship, wisdom, and moderation and was respected by all the people. On this occasion he stood up and gave instructions for the apostles to put the men outside for a little while. so that the council could meet in a private session.

From there he gave two examples of two men, one was Theudas and the other was Judas the Galilean. Gamaliel, simply reminded his fellow pharisees of their histories. Both men fought Judaism, both men gathered a following, and both men ended up killed, and the result was that their followers scattered and the movement faded. He then compared their two mini-movements to that of the apostles, and basically called his brothers to 'relax' because, if this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”

This is a good lesson for us. The truth is, when we are following God, and obeying God in the midst of a culture that continually seems to win and opporess the truth; we know the truth is that sooner or later all that is from and of God will last, and everything else will disolve and fail!