Here we go again. In these verses, Luke gives the account of the apostles second trial before the Sanhedrin.
The first time, the council basically gave them a warning ticket (Acts 4:18). Peter and John told the Jewish leaders this wasn't going to stop them from telling others about Jesus (Acts 4:19-20).
These religious big wigs toss the apostles in the clink a second time for continuing to proclaim the Gospel (Acts 4:17). But this time God sends an angel to bust them out of the joint and continue preaching the Good News (Acts 4:19-21).
When the high priest and the Sanhedrin reconvenes the following day, they send for the 12 prisoners (v21). There's only one problem. They are not there (v22).
And they are stunned at what they do find. The cell block is still locked tight. The guards are still standing at each cell door. "But when we opened them we found no one inside” (v23).
That left everyone scratching their heads (v24). What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on?
Suddenly, someone runs in to report that prisoners are actually "standing in the temple teaching the people" (v25). They immediately send out the temple security detail to bring them in.
But the cops don't make a big scene. They don't use force. But this has very little to do with civility and everything to do with public opinion. "They were afraid of being stoned by the people" (v26).
It is interesting to note the difference in the reactions of the apostles and the captain of the temple guard.
The Twelve didn't care that the council would most certainly arrest them. They were going to obey the Lord. They feared God.
On the other hand, the temple cops worried about the people's reaction to putting the apostles in a paddy wagon. They feared man.
The Apostle Paul had the right priorities. "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Gal 1:10).
Once the hearing gets underway, the high priest reminds them of the warning ticket he gave them just the other day.
What particularly ticked him off was that these men were teaching the people that the Sanhedrin played a central role in Jesus' execution. "You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this Man's blood upon us” (v28).
Clearly, the Gospel is turning the city on its head. It's all the buzz.
As they have done many times before, Pete and the boys boldly accuse the Jewish leaders as being culpable in the death of Christ (Acts 2:23, 26; 3:15; 4:10). The apostles pulled no punches.
As leader of the Twelve, Pete responds. And the Sanhedrin's not going to like what he has to say. "We must obey God rather than men” (v30). He says they really have no choice.
When the ruling authority demands a follower of Jesus to sin in disobedience, there is but one godly response. Obey God.
We've come to call it civil disobedience. A better term would be godly obedience. This call to obedience was such a burden for Martin Luther King that he led the American Civil Rights movement.
Throughout the Bible, we read of God-fearing individuals thumbing their noses at sinful authority (Ex 1:15-17; Dan 6:4-10).
Pete goes on to proclaim Jesus' resurrection before the council. "The God of our fathers raised Jesus” (v30).
Let's be clear on this. This is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who brought the Rabbi/Carpenter back to life.
This is OUR God! This is the God these Jewish leaders claimed to follow.
Then the fisherman drops the hammer and accuses the Sanhedrin of murdering Messiah. "Whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree” (v30).
And the Greek word used here is διαχειριζω/diacheirizo. It means to lay hands on violently, to seize and kill, to murder.
Pete doesn't want the high priest to miss his point. Yes, Jesus' blood IS on his hands!
But it didn't end with simply a risen Jesus flaunting the council's failed plot to eliminate Him from the scene. "God exalted Him at His right hand as Leader and Savior” (v31).
Jesus has returned home to heaven. And His Dad was saving a chair for Him. It was the throne of authority at the Father's right hand (Ps 110:1 Lk 20:41-44; Acts 2:34-36; Phil 2:9-11).
God has given His Son the authority "to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" (v31). We often think of the forgiveness of sin as a gift, but how about repentance?
Peter is teaching that repentance itself is a gift of God. The Lord doesn't have to let us turn back to Him. Our holy God could simply damn us to hell for a single sin, no questions asked.
But He doesn't. He grants us the gracious gift of repentance. We should take full advantage of this wonderful gift each and every time it is needed. For me, that is all too often.
Peter goes on to testify that the followers of Jesus "are witnesses to these things" (v32). And they aren't the only ones. “So is the Holy Spirit” (v32).
God's Spirit also testifies to the truth of the Gospel. And God gives His Spirit "to those who obey Him” (v32). What a marvelous promise!
And notice the appearance of the Trinity here in these verses. The Father is at work. The Son is risen, ruling and reigning. The Spirit testifies.
In essence, Pete tells the council that if they make the apostles choose whom to follow, they will follow Jesus every time.
How 'bout you?
©2011
Jay Jennings
