ETB Acts 5:29-42
Cedric Chafee
ETB Summer 2024 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Session 7 - p.64 - Worthy
Today’s lesson planning was more difficult for me this week not because of the subject or the passage but because the book chose another snippet around Peter’s sermon and it is nearly a repeat of the previous 2 we have studied. I also have a greater appreciation for Pastor Steve doing multiple sermons a week as I also had to prepare a lesson for my work tomorrow on the new software being implemented.
That being said most of today’s material is from other sources and very little of my own writings.
The Christian life is filled with paradoxes. The way to be free from sin is to become a slave of Christ. The way to find true and eternal life is to die to yourself. Leaders are called to serve. Jesus is King, but He was crucified like a common criminal. The wisdom of God is seen as foolishness by the world. And the love of God is revealed when He disciplines His children.
In today’s session, we’ll examine another paradox: Being persecuted by the world leads to joy in Christ. Honestly, most of us don’t suffer the way the early disciples did, but we still face opposition in other forms. [LifeWay Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2024]
I like the way they used different words there. Christians in other countries suffer persecution, in our country for now it is just opposition or resistance.
Understand the Context
Understand the Context
After the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, the young church continued to grow, both in terms of numbers (Acts 5:14) and its impact on the larger community (5:16). The reason for this growth was the power of God through the Holy Spirit—just as Jesus had promised in Acts 1:8.
It is curious that verse 13 notes the trepidation some people had in associating with the young church, while verse 14 declares that multitudes of new people were being added. The distinction seems to be that people were no longer simply dropping in and casually observing what was happening. The incident with Ananias and Sapphira was enough to keep the gawkers and window shoppers away.
Instead, those who were coming into the church were committed believers. This was important because, as Luke noted, opposition was getting ready to intensify. Commitment to Christ is never something to be entered lightly. Jesus made it clear that people need to count the cost of discipleship before making the decision to follow Him (Luke 14:28).
As the influence of the church began to increase, the most powerful religious leaders “were filled with jealousy” (5:17). As a result, they started arresting church leaders. Instead of just targeting Peter and John, all of the apostles were targeted for prison, indicating that persecution against the church was becoming more common and acceptable.
Despite the best efforts of the high priest and the other leaders, the apostles didn’t stay in jail very long. God sent an angel to lead them out of their prison cells. This same angel told them to go back to the temple and continue to preach about Jesus (5:20), a command the apostles enthusiastically obeyed.
The temple leaders realized what had happened when they sent for the apostles and no one could find them in the jail. Someone finally found them “in the temple and teaching the people” (5:25). While the temple police and the priests were ready to take the church leaders back to prison, they had to move cautiously. The church’s growing popularity with the crowds actually had the Jewish officials fearing for their own lives (5:26).
When the apostles were challenged about their refusal to obey the leaders’ command, Peter reminded them of what he had already said. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
Explore the Text
Explore the Text
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.
v.29
Peter and the apostles
Although Peter’s words may be what is recorded by Luke, he also makes it clear that is was not just Peter’s sentiments being expressed. All the apostles - including Matthias - were in agreement with the truths that he spoke.
We must obey God
On trial again, Peter repeated their obligation to obey God. Peter was not saying that Christians should ignore authority. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
If fact in later writings, Peter makes it clear that human authorities are to be obeyed.
13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
For those unhappy now and after November this year, that last verse may be the hardest. We can honor those we do not agree with, as long as they are one of God’s image-bearer’s.
Peter does a good job of this in all three of his “trials.” He speaks to the council respectfully, but also full of boldness and truth.
v.30-32
God of our fathers
Peter recognizes that they are all of the same religious heritage and understands his connection to these men of esteem but he also knows how they are missing out on God’s plan because of their unyielding hold on traditions.
Peter reminded the religious leaders that Jesus represented the fulfillment of God’s promises to their fathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The prophets also had foretold the coming of the Messiah. Jesus’s identity as Messiah was validated when He was raised up by God. The Jewish leaders had played a role in Jesus’s death by hanging him on a tree. But His resurrection revealed His true identity. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
You killed
Jesus’s death played out according to the Father’s plans. He voluntarily surrendered His life for our sins and determined when He would take His final breath (John 10:18; 19:30). He was sovereign and in control of the entire event.
At the same time, Peter emphasized that people are held accountable for their actions. The Greek wording emphasizes violence, including killing someone with your bare hands. Luke later used it to describe the mob that wanted to kill Paul (Acts 26:21). [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
Peter know that these men did not commit the physical act against Jesus, but judicially that are equally guilty as the Romans for His death.
Do you think that the council may have been “rationalizing” their guilt away from themselves because the “Romans did it?”
v.28 seems to allude to their not seeing themselves as guilty of Jesus’s death when they say “you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
Hanging on a tree
Not only did Peter claim they killed Jesus, but also the means of death used suggested they also attempted to have Him cursed by God. This points to how they, and we, sometimes do things expecting God to do our bidding instead of acting in His character. They thought God will do this, if we do this, not realizing that their actions were the ones that were unscriptural. We must be sure of our use of Scripture before we commit a decision based on it.
Isaiah 45:9 “9 “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?”
I like that last bit ‘your work has no handles’. There is nothing tangible to grasp in what you are doing.
The council wanted Jesus cursed so that no one would dare follow or mention His name again. But God can undo anything that man plans.
Exalted
In an ironic juxtaposition, Peter declared that the murder of an innocent man resulted in His exaltation. Later, Paul would elaborate on how the suffering of Jesus led to His exaltation (Phil. 2:6-11). One day, His glory will be complete when every human bows down to Him.
While this focus on exaltation emphasized Jesus’s deity, Peter also highlighted His humanity. Jesus came to earth as a man and never relinquished His humanity. He was and still is fully human, just as He is fully God. His humanity was important because only a human could die for humanity’s sins. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
The Applied New Testament Commentary The Apostles Persecuted (5:17–32)
God exalted [Christ] … as Prince and Savior (verse 31). The word Prince used in this verse means “Lord.” If we do not accept Christ as our Prince or Lord, He cannot be our Savior. Jesus is both our Lord and our Savior (Acts 2:36).
This may have been part of the problem for the Sanhedrin. They wanted Him as a prince to govern but not as a Lord to worship.
Repentance . . . forgiveness
Repentance implies changing direction. It is a necessary response to the gospel and a key aspect of saving faith. In a sense, repentance and forgivenessare two sides of the same coin (Luke 24:47). When we come to Jesus in repentance and faith, He forgives us (1 John 1:9). [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
The apostles also emphasize that for now these things are being offered “to Israel” whom these men represented. They are to be lead the people into presence of and worship of God. God will not stop offering it to the people and eventually the Gentiles, but He starts with those whom are in authority over the Chosen Nation.
We are witnesses
The apostles as a group of 12 were more than adequate for “proof” in the courts that what they were say was true. But they also had another witness.
so is the Holy Spirit
God through the person of the Holy Spirit validated what they were saying by the wondrous and miraculous acts that He was doing through them. One of which had already be brought before this same group. The council however only had their traditional and “history” for their proof.
The last part of verse 32 makes me believe it was definitely Peter speaking these things.
to those who obey Him
This was the accusation directly against the council. We are obeying God, you are not. God is working through us, not you. His power is on us because we obey, you have none for you do not.
This was the last straw to put these men over edge, at least those who did not seem to be able to control themselves.
v.33
They were enraged
The religious leaders were so angry that they wanted to kill the apostles. (The very thing they deny committing with Jesus.) While they had let Peter and John off with a warning in chapter 4, Luke was demonstrating that things were changing rapidly. One of the lessons that we can learn from Luke’s account here is that we should expect some to reject Jesus and turn their opposition toward those who bear His name. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
It also points to the escalation of opposition we can expect as we speak the truth more than once to a person. They will continue to increase in their resistance. Or maybe it is the Enemy within them strengthening his hold upon them so that they do not succumb. Either way, we know that most people do not come to Christ from a single invitation. Our repeated attempt to love on them will become more resisted with each offer, but as God works on them from the inside out, His work will be accomplished and all things can be forgiven.
There is an old saying, “cooler heads prevail” and at least this time it seems to prove true.
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,
Gamaliel was a respected man by those in the council and the nation. God also honored the man for eternity as he is one of the few Sanhedrin, not of the high priest line, specifically named in His Word. Most of what I read about his is summarized there in the quarterly. A rabbi is a Jewish teacher, a rabban is a Master teacher. Very few obtained that title.
The high esteem in which Jews held Gamaliel was expressed in the writings of the Mishnah: “When Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, the glory of the Law ceased and purity and abstinence died.” Gamaliel’s most famous pupil was Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:3). [Lifeway Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Personal Study Guide - CSB - Summer 2024. Lifeway Press. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]
After all that had happened, Gamaliel ordered the apostles to be sent out of the room. He then offered the rest of the Sanhedrin some advice about dealing with their current predicament. Gamaliel’s advice was based on biblical principles, echoing Deuteronomy 18:21-22.[ETB:ALG Spr'24]
Luke & Acts Commentary
Gamaliel was an ironic, tragic figure. His noninvolvement was a rejection of the saving work of God. Holding out the possibility that this is “of God” was probably only a way to score points theologically against the Sadducees. The Sadducees believed only in human causation in history, while the Pharisees affirmed the work of both human beings and God (Antiquities 13.171–173; 18.12–15)
Gamaliel’s wisdom was directed at the protection of the Temple and the nation. Having one “rebel” crucified could be done without much suspicion. Having 12+ people killed would garner too much attention from the Romans.
This passage also highlights the Pharisees (not the Sadducees) who did not oppose Jesus and were open to His claims. Later, Paul, who was a Pharisee, became the greatest missionary in church history. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
It was this openness to other possibilities that allowed this master teacher to propose another option to the council.
Opposing God
Gamaliel warned his peers that if the apostles’ preaching and teaching was accurate, if Jesus really was who they claimed He was, they had to be extremely careful with their next steps. Opposing Jesus’s followers would be equivalent to opposing God. This would be both sinful and irrational.
No true believer wants to stand in the way of what God is doing in the world. What’s more, because He is omnipotent (all-powerful), any attempts to thwart His plans are useless. Gamaliel had looked at both sides of the coin, and the best response was the same—leave the Christians alone and let God handle them, His way, one way or another. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
v.40-41
Beat them
Descriptions of this beating and how intense it was vary greatly, but all the apostles that were imprisoned were physically abused. The council followed through on their “threat” back in Chapter 4 at Peter and John’s initial trail. They also reiterated their desire for their message to stop.
Charged them not to speak
Peter and John, and probably the others, had heard this before and had already presented their reason why they could not obey. Both sides were ignoring the other.
While the members of the Sanhedrin may have been trying to reassert their authority, the apostles would continue to obey Christ rather than human powers. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
Now we come to the main paradox of the passage.
they left the presence of the council, rejoicing
Matthew 5:11–12 “11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Rejoicing in the midst of persecution is counterintuitive and paradoxical, but it is also a normal pattern in the New Testament (see Matt. 5:12; 1 Pet. 4:13). [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
I will admit that I have yet to rejoice in opposition. Maybe I have not had the right kind of resistance or have not been properly “in the Spirit” when it happened, but this phrasing is very foreign to me and I do not understand it. I trust that this is an accurate truthful account of what happened because it is in God’s Word and has been validated by others who were able to “flesh it out” through history. For me, it is still a mystery.
In a letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote that God’s grace was sufficient and allowed him to take similar pleasure in the various ways he suffered for the Savior. (2 Cor. 12:10). Jesus’s half-brother James also encouraged believers to “count it all joy” when they faced trials (Jas. 1:2). Suffering for Christ leads to rejoicing in Christ because suffering leads to sharing in Christ’s glory. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
I will not pray for hardship to come, but that may be the only way I will understand this type of worship and rejoicing. Until then, I am content to let it be a mystery.
One commentary I read did put another perspective on the fruit of persecution.
Exalting Jesus in Acts Gospel Ministry Energizes the Minister(s) (Acts 5:41–42)
Be bold in your Christian witness. Be filled with integrity, respect, and humility before people. You will face opposition, and you will be filled with joy—not just now but even billions of years from now. You will never regret having suffered for the Name.
Interesting concept that today's suffering is not about this life but about having something to praise God for throughout eternity in the next.
The Applied New Testament Commentary Gamaliel’s Advice (5:33–42)
Jesus had warned His disciples that they would be called to suffer for His sake. He had told them: “You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues” (Mark 13:9). His words had now come true.
Fulfilling the truths of Scripture, that is something I can understand and rejoice in. I am almost always encouraged when someone says that they read a verse and were reminded of me or a family member.
Another thing that Scripture and history tells us that persecution does is strengthen faith and resolve to do God’s calling.
v.42
Every day… did not cease
Despite the leaders’ warnings, the apostles and other believers continued to preach and teach about Jesus in the temple and in their homes. True to their word, they placed God’s priorities above the rules—and threats—of human authorities.
This teaching and preaching of the early church were not something new that the Christians thought up. As Luke noted in his introduction to Acts, the gospel message proclaimed by the church and recounted in this book was a continuation of the ministry of Jesus (Acts 1:1). [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
You men know that Christian faith is not something that we do once per week on Sunday mornings or sporadically throughout the week. we are called to live and proclaim the gospel each and every day. Regardless of the opposition, be it our health or a loved ones, political or governmental, personal or corporate, we are called to live and proclaim the gospel each and every day.
Apply the Text
Apply the Text
