A Low Isn’t Always a Low
The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
– Acts 5:12-16
So, what do we learn about the apostles and what was happening at this time? Several things:
The apostles were performing many signs and wonders
The apostles were highly regarded by the people
More and more people were being added to their number
Crowds were coming to see them from the surrounding areas and the apostles were also healing their sick and those tormented by demons
So, what could go wrong? What could knock them off this high? Well, we read:
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
– Acts 5:17-18
Here we encounter the first roller coaster drop: the apostles are arrested and put into jail. Now, this wasn’t the first time that any of the apostles were jailed – In Acts 4:3 we read,
“They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day (Acts 4:3).” But, here it seems likely that all or most of the apostles were jailed.
But, they don’t stay down for very long. We read in the next two verses:
But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
– Acts 5:19-20
At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
– Acts 5:21-26
The apostles showed no hesitancy – they did what the angel told them to do as soon as possible – no hesitancy.
So, what happened at this trial of the apostles? We read:
The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than man! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
– Acts 5:27-32
So, when the apostles appeared before the Sanhedrin to be question (really to be threatened!), they are reminded that they were already ordered by the Sanhedrin to stop teaching about Jesus. [And, we see another concern – that the apostle’s teaching made them look guilty of Jesus’ blood.]] To this, Peter gives the seminal response to explain their actions, “We must obey God rather than man”. Peter then shares the Gospel message with them. What a wonderful response! It echoes what he said when he was threatened in 4:19:
“Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than God?”
How did Peter’s response go over with the Sanhedrin? Not too well! We read:
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
– Acts 5:33-40
Paul says,
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors.”
- Acts 22:3
Now we’re reaching the end of our ride and here we’ll see the twist. We read:
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
– Acts 5:41-42
You see, A low isn’t always a low if we have God’s attitude/perspective.
Jesus told us that we should expect this type of treatment. We read in the Gospels:
"But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them."
– Mark 13:9
"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
– Matt. 5:11-12
And Paul reminds us in his letter to the Philippians:
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.”
– Philippians 1:29
Point 1: We should be willing to suffer disgrace for Jesus' name
Point 2: We should realize that a low is not always a low from God's perspective