And the Fullness Thereof

A verse by verse devotional based on Acts 5

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Introduction

For the most part, I believe the Bible is misused. 

We start with the concordance and then work our way backwards. We come to the book with a topic in mind and then look for the specific answer, the proof text, and the intellectual fact. In this way, we can form our defense, find our formula, and put our conscience at ease, “Yes, I am in the right.” Bible-as-textbook does have some benefits, we cannot discount it completely, but if this is our primary method of study it will lead to the development of a people who know the word of God, but know very little about the God of the word. A people who confuse intellect with knowledge and knowledge with wisdom. 

When we become a people such as this, the best we can do is to examine life through the lens of morality, a checkbox of rights and wrongs, quickly leading to the establishment of factions. Groups within a larger group who derive more energy and passion by defining and evangelizing according to what they are against, rather than what they stand for. If we are not careful, we become those who know how to communicate but not compel because we have memorized but never meditated. Priding ourselves on the worship of truth but knowing very little about the worship of the Spirit. Learning how to say all the right things, but knowing nothing about groans which cannot be uttered. In this state, there will be very little weeping, few tears, and no agony in our reading of the Scriptures. This is a great tragedy that our short devotional will hope to remedy, at least to a small degree. 

The world feels the absence of a people who know their God. 

If we are to know Him again, it must begin with the Scriptures and an examination of how we read them. Acts chapter 5 contains 42 verses. We’ll go through each one, offering a mix of commentary, devotional, and exhortation. You, the reader, will be both confronted and encouraged, corrected and stirred onto good works. All in the hopes that we, the people of God, would once again know Him as He truly is. And in knowing Him, that we would love, obey, and glorify Him. May we once again be a people “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) Let us be renewed in our repentance, “so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19) 

As we read, we must also pray

God does not change, yet how we perceive Him can change and it is for this change of perception that we must pray. Brothers and sisters, as you read this short book, pray also for a revelation of a higher view of God. Let us cry out, as Habakkuk did, to see a vision of the One before whom the nations bow. And let us wait until He answers, “Look among the nations and watch - be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.” (1:5)

Oh to be a people changed, equipped once again with a view of eternity and a vision into the heavenlies. Speaking as seeing Him who is invisible, that we might proclaim Him as He actually is to a world who does not yet see, cannot yet hear, and, at the moment, lives in darkness. 

Oh that we would once more carry voices like trumpets as Paul did in Athens, addressing those who felt God unknowable, “Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you...He is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:23,27)

Oh to sing to the Lord as long as we live! Come, let us rejoice! “O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions - this great and wide sea, in which are innumerable teeming things, living things both small and great. There the ships sail about; there is that Leviathan which you have made to play there. These all wait for You. That you may give them their food in due season. What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good. You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in His works. He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the hills, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord. May sinners be consumed from the earth, and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 104:24-35)

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Acts 5:1-2

“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Just as with the first man, Adam, and his wife, Eve, here we have another couple conspiring together opposite of the Lord’s command. Yet while the first couple hid to cover up their offense, this couple does it brazenly and under the disguise of true Christianity. 

Both suffered from an ignorance of the truth that, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest...it shall be revealed by fire” and according to that work, “each of us shall give account of himself to God.” (1 Corinthians 3:13, Romans 14:12)

For is it not also written, “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)

It is the fool who says in his heart, “There is no God.” So then what can be said of those who say, “There is a God, but He does not see and I will not have to give a true and full account?”

It is no rare thing to encounter those who live in this manner. Claiming a form of godliness and appearing from all outward dress to be one of the sheep, yet as the work is tried by fire, it is revealed that the outfit was but clothing for the body and not a redressing of the heart. 

Sadly, even the greatest acts of spirituality can be done from a position of hypocrisy. Therefore, each of us must constantly ask,  “Who do we live for - God or men? Who are we doing this to be seen before - God or men?” 

Never think yourself above this inquiry, knowing that the One who sees all will judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart and even today does this judging through his word, the very word you are reading now. (Hebrews 4:12)

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Acts 5:3

“But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?”

There are those who through deception are led away, as Paul writes about later to Timothy, “The Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1) And as James instructs us, it is a great blessing to turn one of these wandering ones back - specifically, he will, “save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:20)

Then there are those who, through intention, lie to the Holy Ghost, deliberately leading others to destruction, going the way of Cain, Balaam, and Korah - and for these there is no blessing, no remaining sacrifice for sins, no forgiveness, no hope.

As Peter surveys this situation, the Spirit quickly illuminates to him which route he is to go. There is no room for forgiveness, no covering up of sins, for this lie was a, “deliberate lie, and with a purpose to deceive." (Matthew Henry)

With no place left for repentance (oh what a sad state this must be), the sentence was both swift and just. There would be no second chances, no allowance for remorse, no spirit of conviction, for he had been filled by the spirit of Satan and lied to the Holy Spirit.

In this story we have a sobering reminder to fear the Lord and depart from evil. For while our God is a pardoning God (Is. 55:7), a God of mercy and great compassion, so too will there come a moment for each person, when there is no more time. 

We are told it will come in the blink of an eye and that the entirety of one’s life can be thought of in fleeting terms, “fading” “vapor” “morning dew” “like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” (Ps. 103:15-16)

Did Ananias know when he woke up on this day that before the sun set his time would be up? Was he prepared? Had he made all the necessary arrangements both in his life and in his heart? Do you think it caught him by surprise, as a thief in the night, or do you think he was awake, ready, waiting by the door for the voice of his master to ring out, “Arise my beloved. Come away with me!”

In his example we see that he was caught unaware, perhaps so filled with the deceit of Satan that he no longer cared or he may have been erroneously trusting in a false grace, thinking that no matter how he treated the Lord, there would always be room at the cross for him. Either way, he met his end, suddenly. Just as all of us will one day. And how will we find our own heart and our own preparations?  

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Acts 5:4

“‘While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’”

Peter’s rebuke here is reminiscent of instruction passed down from Moses in Deuteronomy, “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it...But if you abstain from vowing, it shall not be sin to you.” (23:21-22) So too is Peter’s verdict, “While it remained, and even after it was sold, was it not your own and under your control?” But as soon as the vow was made, as soon as the presentation was acted out before men and the fulfillment left undone or delayed, it became sin to him. We see then the importance of the command to, “let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37)

It seems to be made clear, if you profess it, you are bound to perform it. And this I believe is designed to be a reflection of our Father in heaven, for whom it is witnessed of by Abraham, “And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” (Romans 4:21) And echoed by his wife, Sarah, who “judged Him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11) Even told by the Lord Himself through Ezekiel, “I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass...I will say the word and perform it.” (Ezekiel 12:25)

What of us then? What will be said about our Father in heaven or the Lord whom we say we follow, if we say we will do one thing and then in fact do another? Or if in front of one set of people we make a strong profession, but then in another setting it is revealed that our heart had no intention of following through?

Will God look kindly upon this? Or asked another way, will God be looked kindly upon by those watching us? Surely not. And so too was it with Ananias. This sin may seem small to some, but under closer inspection, we see it is quite grievous.

“For which of you intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost...lest, after he is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him.” (Luke 14:28-30) You have professed to men and God that you will follow, yet you have not counted the cost, and therefore you are unable to perform that which you have promised, and you become a mockery to all. Let this be both a warning and an encouragement, count the cost before the profession. And in the case of following Christ, the cost is a forsaking of all.

Much harm has been done by those who did not count the cost and thus fell away, or from those who preach a gospel that does not require a forsaking all, creating cheap conversions, false converts, and as a result, mass mockery of the faith. We can safely say how much worse of a state these are in who have professed but not performed. The example of Ananias is a strong warning against such practices.

Lastly, the phrase, “conceived of this thing in your heart,” is worth exploring. We get more detail on the progression of sin in the first chapter of James, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (1:14-15)

The impression given by James is that it is not an instant decision to go from devoted to deceived. The process is slow, hiding under the surface. A desire or thought not taken captive is allowed to remain. It is dwelt upon, meditated on rather than fixing our thoughts on Christ, God’s law, or on these things which are pure, lovely and so forth. And it is in this secret hidden place that desire gives birth.

Sin emerges from the womb and becomes visible, fully-grown, bringing forth death and destruction to whatever it touches. Where are you on this path friend? What desires linger in your secret place? Upon what “non-lovely” things do you meditate and find a sense of temporary satisfaction in? Quickly, if they are revealed to you, do not hide your offense as Ananias but confess your sins, one to another, and to God, who is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Be reminded that God is not only faithful to forgive, but the blood is also powerful enough to cleanse. Sin, fully-grown, is too powerful for the strength of man, but for God, nothing is impossible. The apostles were instructed to go forth preaching repentance and the remission of sins. Let us not forget the importance of the promise of the cleansing. There is only One who has conquered death, defeated sin, and who offers us the power of life through His resurrection. Hid in Him, we have power over sin. Hid from Him, and desire gives birth to sin.

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Acts 5:5

“Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.”

If you have done a study of the phrase, “those who fear Him,” you’ll find the references to be numerous (16 in the New King James) and enlightening. Those who fear Him have no want, receive the secret of the Lord, have the eye of the Lord upon them, and surely His salvation is near to them. “Great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.” Yet today, there are few who accept this command. Most balk at the idea of fear and reject the concept because it interferes with their definition of love.

However, it is inconsistent to balk at fear and, at the same time, desire the model, power, and results of the early church. For of this church it is said, “Fear came upon every soul,” (2:43) “walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied,” (9:31) “and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.” (19:17) It is impossible to separate the early church from the defining characteristic of the fear of the Lord.

What happens when the fear of the Lord is absent? The “hands of the evildoers are strengthened,” and, “because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” (Ecclesiastes 8:11) The tendency towards evil expands and expedites as sin’s influence spreads and even more so the longer the Lord persists in His patient mercy.

Here though, in the case of Ananias, we have the opposite effect. The sentence being speedily executed, it was fear that spread rapidly, and to all, rather than evil.

The immediacy of the sentence, coming directly after the hearing of these words, confirmed the legitimacy of them. These were not words to debate back and forth. There would be no rebuttal here from Ananias, no explanation, justification, or agreeing to disagree. The words themselves held such truth, and were spoken with such accuracy of the Spirit, that there was no room left for any other breath of response. In this, we have a reminder that just as the mouths of lions were shut in times past by those who delivered words with such Spirit and truth — so it can be today.

This gospel which we declare, can and must be preached with unction, in a “demonstration of the Spirit and power.” And when it is preached in this manner, just as with Peter before Ananias, there is left no room for a defense. As it is said elsewhere, men are “without excuse.” Though they may boast now, though there may be a wrangling over genealogies, vile accusations made, or the creation of strife and division, soon they too will hear, fall down, and breathe their last. Therefore we who have been granted to hear now, who truly know the terror of God, who live ever in the awareness and delight of the fear of the Lord, must persuade men. (2 Corinthians 5:11)

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Acts 5:6

“And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.”

I think of the other young feet throughout history who arose, came forward, stood up, & prepared themselves for a journey. I think of the young feet of Isaac following his father up the mountain, or of Joshua standing at the tent of the meeting behind Moses. I think of Samuel who arose to come to the feet of Eli, asking for guidance. I think of a young man Saul, at whose feet they cast the garments of Stephen as he was martyred, watching as Stephen’s face shone. 

What was the impact on these young ones? What did they observe and how did it change them? How were they prepared for the journey ahead?

In the case of Ananias and these young men, it is made clear to us in the previous verse, “Great fear came upon all those who heard these things.” And if this effect was had on those who heard, how much more so upon these young men who not only heard, but saw, and also participated in the wrapping, the carrying and the burying? What were their conversations like as they fulfilled their task? Did they even speak?

The Scriptures are filled with the instruction to raise up the young ones in the way they should go and to do this type of raising at all times, in the home, as you are on the go, everywhere and in all things, teach them that they may be prepared for the journey ahead. And just as this command is given, so too is a warning for those who would lead even one of these young ones astray, “it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Repeated in Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42 & Luke 17:2)

If we were to take a survey of the young ones around us, what would we find? How solemnly do they stand in our presence? Is there a reverence for the words we teach? Do they desire to follow in the manner of our lifestyle? And does this lifestyle reflect the very words and Lordship of Christ? Do we rule our own houses well? In summary, are we those who lead the young ones in the way they should go or are we those who lead the young ones astray?

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Acts 5:7-9

“Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?’

She said, ‘Yes, for so much.’

Then Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’”

Even though the sentence had already been carried out upon her husband, it still remained for Sapphira to give her own account. This sequence of events is worth noticing, for while today we may be able to hide underneath the company of others or claim a type of innocence because we were not the ones in charge or we had no place for a voice, it will not be so on the day we give an account. 

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

And on this day, before the judgment seat, we, “will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (1 Peter 4:5) 

It has been wisely asked before, “How will we find ourselves on that day?” Will we find ourselves trusting in ourselves, denying the authority of Christ, closing our eyes wishfully thinking the moment away? For if this is the case, we will find ourselves sorely lacking, and ultimately cast away from His presence, where there is much “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Luke 13:28)

Or will we find ourselves believing in faith on the promises of God, trusting in Christ as the Son of God and in His righteousness, not our own? If this is the case, we will find ourselves safely hidden under the shadow of His wings, with the Lord Himself as our dwelling place. 

Let us think beyond our condition though for a moment, as we consider what that day will be like. For Sapphira, it was a single question, presented plainly, “Did you or did you not?” And that one answer was enough to find her immediately guilty. Her strength instantly left her, the breath was taken, and into judgment she went. 

Whatever strength you have now, whatever health, whatever material possessions, whatever status, authority, or standing before men, on that day it will fail you and it will be taken from you. While now all your resources and faculties appear to be loyal, each of them working together as one for your benefit, that loyalty will not last. For when the Creator speaks again to the breath, does not the breath answer back? And when the everlasting God, the Lord, who sustains all things by His word speaks again, will not all things respond?

“Why do you say, O Jacob, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord...Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:27-31)

Sapphira did not heed these words, and rather than waiting upon the Lord, she tested Him, or as it reads in other translations, she tempted the Spirit. She remembered not the prophet Isaiah’s words, nor the words recorded of Moses, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah.” (Deuteronomy 6:16)

In Massah, the children of Israel, “contended with Moses,” “complained against Moses,” and ultimately, “tempted the Lord.” It is of special importance to note the phrase that comes next in the story. “They tempted the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’” (Exodus 17:1-7)

So in some sense, it is possible to read the account given here of Sapphira as an answer, similar to the answer Jacob gave the morning he awoke at the place he would call Bethel (House of God), “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it. And he was afraid.” (Genesis 28:16)

Sapphira tempted the Spirit and found that indeed, the Lord was in this place and she did not know it.

Therefore, trust not in horses, nor chariots, nor your own strength, but as for us, “remember the name of the Lord,” and “may the King answer us when we call.” (Psalm 20:7,9)

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Acts 5:10

“Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.”

Here again we find the young men, and once more we must ask, “What was the impression left upon them?” What was this lifestyle they signed up for, to come into a room and find first a husband and then a wife dead at the feet of the apostle they followed? Today we may be asked to perform an act of obedience under the direction of a spiritual elder, but surely it is not of this sort. And because of this, it has become quite easy to forget that the lifestyle of Christ is one of life and death. That by entering into the service of following Him we are engaging in a battle, more intense than any battle that has ever been waged by human hands. This unseen struggle between good and evil, God and Satan, darkness and light, powers and principalities, does not relent. It rages on all around us, many of us unaware, and so most of us forget. 

Yet for these young men, they knew, they remembered, because they saw. And not only saw, but also participated. This gospel warfare is not one of words only, but also in deed. It is not one for spectators, and therefore we are given armor and gifts for the equipping of the body, that, we, “may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore.” (Ephesians 6:13-14)

If you expect to survive this war with your eyes only, you will not stand. If you think you can get by simply listening with your ears, you will not stand. Instead, see that you may perceive, and hear that you may understand and obey. 

How do you fight today? As one who sees the invisible, understands the stakes, and feels the urgency of the whole matter? As one who prays before God on behalf of men and preaches as one who pleads before men on behalf of God? Are you as these young men, seeing firsthand the casualties of this war, desiring that no more should perish but that all would come to repentance? (2 Peter 3:9) 

By all accounts of the world, Ananias and Sapphira were a good couple, doing all the right things, selling their possessions, and following in The Way, yet here they end up buried beside each other never to be raised together in Christ. How many of these good couples will be laid down next to each other, with no more hope offered to them because they were buried dead in their sin rather than “dead in Christ”? (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

The young men were left with these impressions. May we also, upon reading, be left with the same.

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Acts 5:11

“So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”

In verse five, we were told fear came upon all who heard, and here the same idea is both repeated and expanded for us. Fear again came upon all who heard and also specifically, upon all the church. Lest we begin to think fear is a thing only for the unbelieving, or perhaps a concept that disappears once we are shown the love of God and reconciled to Him as our Father, this verse corrects those notions. It must then be said clearly — if our version of love for God knows no more place for fear, it is not Biblical love. Or, if in order to feel the love of God, we must push out of our minds all concepts of fear, then this is no longer the same understanding of love that the early church shared. 

In fact, so prevalent was this fear in the early church, that both here and in verse five it is called out as “great fear.” This was no tertiary feeling, or something tacked on to the side. It was great fear, pressing, immediate, and over them all. Can we say the same about our own fear of the Lord? Have we embraced it when it has fallen upon us, or have we rejected and run from it? When it has not fallen, have we cried out for its return, “Lord, rend the heavens and come down!” Some lament the lack of power in the church, others will cite Amos in their sorrow, a “famine of hearing the words of the Lord,” but oh what a sad thing it is when “there is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:18)

Again, we ask about the impact. What impact would be felt in a city where great fear fell upon them all, starting in the church, and then expanding to any who heard the witness of what was being said and done? Would we not see a recurrence of the witnesses of Jonah, “Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows.” (Jonah 1:16) So then, let us pray in this manner, “Lord, increase our fear of You. Let Your fear fall upon us as it fell upon all that day. And may the fear of You extend beyond the walls of the Church, to be seen, known, and felt exceedingly by all who hear our witness. Amen.”

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Acts 5:12

“And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.”

It is no surprise the words apostles, signs, and wonders catch our eye first, for that is exactly how it has always been. With the Jews demanding a sign, a great multitude following Jesus “because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased,” and even for Peter and John after the healing at the gate called beautiful, as it says of the people who saw the healing, “they were filled with wonder and amazement.” (John 6:2, Acts 3:10)

But look closer, beyond the miracles, to the location — Solomon’s Porch. This is the same porch in the temple where Jesus walked in and was confronted by the demands of the Jews, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (John 10:22-30)

It is also the same porch where Peter and John spoke back to those onlookers who were filled with wonder and amazement. 

And it too was this same porch where all three answered in one accord — Jesus to say, “The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.” And Peter to say, “Why do you marvel at this? Or look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus...And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong.” 

The works bear witness, not to the power or godliness of the apostles, but to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God, glorified by His Father in heaven. 

It was this porch where all three continued in one accord — Jesus to say, “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.” And Peter to say, “But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.”

The works bear witness, but they were not enough for you, because it was not given to you at that time to believe. 

It was this same porch where all three answered in one accord. Jesus to say, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” And Peter to say, “Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.”

The works continue to bear witness, that whoever would see and hear them and believe, these will be known by Him and will follow Him and will be given eternal life that they should never perish. Any who do not hear shall be utterly destroyed. 

It was this same porch where Peter obeyed the command given to Him by Jesus before He ascended into heaven, “Preach repentance and the remission of sins.” And this is exactly what Peter did, in union with the will of the Father, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

Jesus concluded His answer to the Jews, “I and My Father are one.” Peter and John preached the same message they were given, not straying. And now the church must continue, “all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.”

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Acts 5:13

“Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.”

Is it any surprise that so many dared not join them, even while they esteemed them highly? For it has been made clear in times past in this very porch that signs will attract great marveling, but it is only the sheep who will hear and believe in faith. We are not all children of God. We are not all His sheep. 

Even today we are tempted to forget this truth as we implore people through any and all external means to make a reasonable choice for Christ. “See the signs, look at the proof, consider the variables,” yet we see here this method does not go in accordance with the Lord’s own words. “My sheep hear and I know them and they follow Me,” and, “None snatch them from My hand and none snatch them from My Father’s hand.”

What is the required presentation then? We must speak boldly, as witnesses, of what we have seen and heard. It has been shown to us that this Man, Jesus Christ, whom we hated enough to crucify, Him God raised from the dead that those who believe in faith in this Man, will not perish but will have everlasting life. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. 

This is the message we preach. And His sheep will hear, will follow, and will not be snatched from the Lord’s hand. The others dare not follow, even as many of them may esteem us highly, an aspect of our witness that is often forgotten. As it is encouraged, not only are we to live without hypocrisy before men, blameless, peaceably, but also it is encouraged to follow in this example of both Christ and the early church, who “grew in favor with both God and men,” and, “were esteemed highly.”

If all we have around us is persecution, ridicule, scorn, mockery, division, contempt, conflict, and none who “esteem us highly” — this may be a sign our witness is out of order. 

If we are never asked about the hope that is within us, then we must examine our witness. For it is possible we lack a “good conscience,” and the accusations they make about us are in fact true. If they speak about us as evildoers, saying, “they are no different than the rest of us - they only care about themselves, about money, and about fame.” Would we, in clear conscience, have such a lifestyle of “good conduct” that under close examination, it would make such accusers “ashamed”? (1 Peter 3:16)

Sadly, many must answer no. Let us quickly cast out any shred of the love of money, the love of self, and the love for the fleeting pleasures of this life. Let us be conformed to the image of Christ, and be not stingy, divisive, scoffers, gossips, busybodies, and complainers. Let our good deeds be seen before men that they may glorify our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

As it is written in 1 John, “And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” (4:21) Let us examine our conduct and our conscience in light of these words, to ensure that we have not fallen into the great deception of believing that we love God even while hating our brother. 

It is true many dare not confess Christ because they “love the praise of men more than the praise of God,” as was most likely the case of many of the “nones” referenced in our text, yet as much as it is possible for us — let us live peaceably with all men. (John 12:43, Romans 12:18)

—

Acts 5:14

“And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,”

True belief will come with two demonstrations - a confession before men and a lifestyle of obedience, doing what He commands, and bearing fruit as the external evidence of an internal change. 

This is how it is possible for Titus to say, “They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny Him.” A simple profession is not proof. Does your life bear witness to the truth of your profession? Or do you continue to be, “abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work”? We would be wise to examine the authenticity of our own belief according to these standards. And then to keep a discerning eye on those around us who profess to believe. Having our “senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14)

Many saw the works, people esteemed them highly, great fear fell on them all, none dared join them, and believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. Yes, all of this is true and for any healthy and thriving church today the same will be said. 

First, this is a witness on constant public display. It is in and among the community, letting their light shine, being as salt, therefore many saw. Second, it is good conduct with a clean conscience, that any accusers would be ashamed to call these Christians “evildoers.” Third, because of the demonstration of the Spirit and power, and because of the faithful preaching of the Word, the Gospel goes forth with a great sense of reverence, awe, and fear. These are solemn and sobering words, nothing to take lightly. They are words that are not easily dismissed. It is made clear that this is life and death, for both the present and all eternity. When they go to worship together, reverence. When they break bread, awe. When they pray always, without giving up, fear. Can this be said about our gatherings?

Fourth, none dared join them because they were presented with the cost of following. This is a message of grace, not works, lest any man should boast, but it is also a message of forsaking all to follow. There can be no middle ground, no simple adding this onto your existing life. No, the entirety of life must be laid down. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26) It was impossible for those who heard their witness in the early church to come away with any other conclusions. Therefore, none dared join them. And yet, fifth, multitudes were increasingly added to the Lord, because His sheep will always hear His voice and follow Him, and He will keep His sheep unto the end, none will snatch them from His hand. This is how it can be said, added “to the Lord.” We are His. We are called by Him. We believe by His grace. We are sealed and led by His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. We are held by Him. These are just a few of the promises of God in Christ. And this is how we can have such confidence, that even in the most impossible of situations, the bleakest, the ones that seem to have no possible outcome of success, His church will prevail. This is an unshakeable foundation and it is a kingdom of invitation, “Come to Me,” extended to every tribe, tongue, and nation. Men and women, Jew and Gentile, will come to Him from every corner of the earth, as it is written in Revelation, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Revelation 7:9-10) Oh, to be there on that day. To hear the chorus of voices, from men and women, every tongue and tribe, all praising God.

—

Acts 5:15-16

“so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.”

The esteemed reputation and growing number of the Church were so noticeable that it was now a matter of public attention. This was not an event simply for the religious or for those who happened to be interested in such matters, no, this had spilled into the streets and into the everyday lives of the multitude. The demonstration of the Gospel in Spirit and power was never meant to remain hidden under the basket of a single gathering at a certain time and in a specific place. This Gospel of the Kingdom is required to go out to every corner, to every creature, to all the world for a witness to all the nations and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14) Here were the multitudes coming from the surrounding cities seeking healing of the body, and receiving a message of healing for the soul. 

The scene in these streets had to be reminiscent to some of the words of their Savior, “Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins - Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’” (Matthew 9:5-6)

You brought your sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches that even the shadow of Peter (who is but a man like you) might fall on you, that you may be healed - But that you may know that the forgiveness of sins has come and that the Son of God has come close - Arise, be healed, all of you. Here was the defining message of these Apostles. 

It was said of Christ in His moments like this, “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14) 

It is a fair question to ask of our own witness, “Does it come with a demonstration of the Spirit and power?” Yet perhaps just as importantly, “Is it motivated by compassion?” We can fall into the trap of truth without love, just as easily as we can stumble into love without truth.

So easy to stumble, which is why the Scriptures implore us three times in Deuteronomy, twice in Joshua and Job, four times in Revelation, and another six in the New Testament to hold fast!

Hold fast! Says Moses, “You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.” (Deuteronomy 3:4)

Hold fast, says Joshua, “but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.” (Joshua 23:8)

Hold fast, says Job, “My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go.” (Job 27:6)

Let us, therefore, hold fast to the confession of our faith — because the temptations to the right and to the left come from every side. 

—

Acts 5:17-18

“Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.”

As was the tradition of the Law handed down by Moses, once a year on the day of atonement the high priest entered into the holy of holies to offer sacrifices first for himself and his household and then for the sins of the people. (Exodus 30, Leviticus 16, 23) This was the only time the high priest was allowed to enter the most holy place, for as it was written after Aaron’s sons offered strange fire before the Lord, he is “not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die.” (Leviticus 16:2)

The role of the high priest then was one of great honor, importance, and prestige. The day of atonement was the most important day of the year and the high priest was the only one who could enter in on behalf of the people. Imagine the temptation to boast in such a position, perhaps thinking more highly of yourself than you ought. It would be easy to believe a lie that says, “these people need me.”  

What happens when we fall in love with a system, a position of power, or a place of influence? What happens when we lose sight of the truth that God does not need us and that His purposes will come to pass with or without us and that any and everything He does is for His glory and He will not share that glory with another?

When we fall into these temptations, we become those who rise up against the work of the Lord. The God we once claimed to serve, now we oppose. The truth we once adamantly defended, now we stand against. So it was with the high priest and all those who were with him. And so it was spoken of by Christ, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” (Matthew 12:30)

It is impossible to speak of the Kingdom of heaven without making it clear that there are only these two sides, and no neutral parties. As articulated by William Gurnall in his classic, The Christian in Complete Armour, “The stage whereon this war is fought, is every man’s soul. Here is no neuter in this war. The whole world is engaged in the quarrel, either for God against Satan, or for Satan against God.” While so many would want to be indifferent, casual observers of the “silly” religious conflict, “Oh look the apostles are healing and preaching. And now the high priest is rising against them. Interesting. I wonder what will happen. I am fascinated by this but ultimately it does not concern me.” This position of neutral party does not exist in this war. 

Make no mistake, the forces of darkness still roam the earth, seeking whom they might devour. Some will be devoured, others will be detained for the sake of Christ (blessed are you who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake!). Yet it must be made clear, there is no authority here that has not been given from above. While the apostles would have seen prison bars just like any other prisoner, they were never bound. While Jesus appeared to be arrested and sentenced to an inescapable death, His words still rung true, “No one takes it [My life] from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” (John 10:18)

Therefore, we who follow must never forget, whatever the situation, it is never beyond the authority of Christ, for “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18) Do not be concerned about what you will eat, what you will wear, whether you are in plenty or with little, if you are in the common prison or the everyday life, wherever you find yourself, Christ has the authority and God has the power. 

The jealousy, or indignation, of the high priest and his followers is worth addressing. The laws which they so closely followed had not been abolished by Christ, but had been fulfilled by Him. Jesus was the scapegoat, the atoning sacrifice, that once and for all offering. He was the very image of the shadow of the good things to come, which was the law. So perfect was this atonement, that it is said, “after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, [He] sat down at the right hand of God...for by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10)

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” (Hebrews 4:14) The jealousy of the high priest was ultimately misplaced. His once-a-year day of atonement was never meant to conflict with the Savior but to offer a shadow of better things to come, a looking forward to Christ’s once and for all atonement.

Yet as with Martha, “who was distracted by much serving,” she missed the better thing, the “one thing [that] is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part.” (Luke 10:38-42) Let us not go down a similar path, growing weary in doing good, or finding ourselves so distracted by serving that we miss the good part.

—

Acts 5:19

“But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,”

If it were not made clear in our previous entry, neither the public courts nor the positions of men hold any power over the purposes of the Lord. In fact, any power that does exist is given from above, “There is no authority except that which is from God.” (Romans 13:1) Therefore all authority is ultimately used by God to accomplish His purposes on the earth. 

These doors could have been opened in broad daylight, the apostles could have been given the ability to walk through the walls, the doors could have broken at the hinges, there could have been an earthquake, or the apostles could have slipped through the crowd unnoticed because it was not their time to be captured. Even more dramatically, the high priest could have fallen dead at the words of Peter, just as Ananias and Sapphira, thereby demonstrating as Elijah did, who serves the real God. But the Lord chose a different manner. It was at night, by an angel, a simple opening of the doors, and then a straightforward bringing them out. Such are the Lord’s ways, “perfect,” and, “higher than our ways.”  (Psalm 18:30, Isaiah 55:8-9)

Who are these angels? “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14) And in another place, “I will give my angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11)

We may not ever see the angels of the Lord or hear their audible voice, just as we may never see the invisible God, or get to touch the nail holes in Jesus’ hands, but “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Take comfort then brothers and sisters. We may not always see but He does, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

—

Acts 5:20-21a

“‘Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.’ And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught.”

The deliverance of the Lord so often comes with a commission, and here it is no different. Immediately after the angel opened the doors and brought them out, he was speaking, “Go.” It is true some work rests solely with the Lord — deliverance, salvation, the bestowing of gifts and a measure of faith for each one, the increase, and so on. All that which is great, mighty, powerful, this belongs to the Lord. What is left for us then? There are some who, incorrectly, and from either false humility or passivity, say, “nothing.” Their answer is accurate in the sense that, “It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Phillippians 2:13) However, their answer is incomplete, in that it dismisses the fact, “We are labourers together with God.” God is sovereign and we are personally responsible. God’s will and plans will come to pass and He uses us to accomplish those plans. 

This partnership can be seen most clearly perhaps in God’s instruction to Moses throughout Deuteronomy. First, a promise, “The Lord your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you.” Then a command, “And you shall dispossess them.” Another example, “And when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them.” Once more for good measure, “Then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess.” (Deut 31:3, 7:2, Numbers 33:52-53) In each of these examples, God is going before them, clearing the way, delivering, AND the Israelites are given instruction on the part they are to play in taking possession. Deliverance, followed by commission.  

This partnership at times confused even the Israelites, “If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’” And the Lord’s answer to them is the same as Christ’s to us today, “You shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did.” (Deut 7:17-18) Remember who this God is and what He has done, and if this is not enough, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Lest we think the task too great for a people like us so small and weak - take heart, the Lord is with you, always. Lest we fear the powers of this dark age or the opposition that stands as flesh and blood before us - do not be discouraged, the Lord is with you, always. Therefore, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

It is the Lord who clears, ordains, sets free, establishes, tears down, and on and on. These things are for the Lord. For us, it is persevering obedience in faith. You need not concern yourselves with the secret things, for these belong to God, “but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deut. 29:29)

The apostles knew this and did not hesitate once the secret things of the Lord were revealed to them, “And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught.” For if the Lord is with us, who can be against us? If the Lord is in our midst, it will be well with us. But, “if Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15) We see so often through this chapter the emphasis to make it abundantly clear to all, “Surely the Lord is in this place and with this people, eventho they be small, weak and unlearned men.” And we will see this made even more clear towards the end of the chapter. 

Before we move on, let us examine the state of our own hearts as it relates to the immediate obedience to the word of the Lord. There are some who lament the fact they do not know enough to obey and wish for an angel to come and bring a clear message. If only it were made clear, then we would go. However, it must be said, if we are not a people who go immediately at the already revealed command of the Lord, we have no reason to believe we will be people who would go immediately simply because an angel spoke the words. Let us not be deceived, rather let us ask the Holy Spirit to convict and lead us into all truth in this matter. Where have we hesitated? When have we grieved Him by our delay? Where have we lacked faith? For it is by faith that man is made able to hear and obey, not by the tongues of angels. 

—

Acts 5:21b

“But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.”

Much to the surprise and dismay of this prestigious council, those on whom they had laid their powerful hands, were no longer held. I think of the futility of Solomon’s rich, prosperous, and wise hands grasping to hold the wind. A man who seemed to have reach of anything his eye desired (our world has known many such men and women like this), but still he could never seem to grab hold of that thing which held eternal substance (Ecclesiastes 2:11). Men may strive, the nations may rage, all the armies of the earth rise up together in rebellion, standing at the gate and surrounding the walls of God’s holy city, “Give us that which we seek!” Yet, in all of these cases, the Lord needs to do little more than sit in the heavens and laugh. (Psalm 2:4) The people of Sodom “pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door,” but then the angels, “reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them...and they struck the men with blindness so that they became weary trying to find the door.” (Genesis 19:1-11) Those in the synagogue, “when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,” and they, “led Him to the brow of the hill, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.” But then, “passing through the midst of them, He went His way.” (Luke 4:28-30) There are many things a man can hold, but some which he cannot, for these things are held tightly by the Lord, and none shall snatch them out of his hands. (John 10:28)

These examples were well known to the high priest, those with him, the council, and all the elders of the children of Israel, yet, even in knowing them, they were so filled with jealous indignation, that they could not see, “They are blind leaders of the blind.” (Matthew 15:14) As Paul would later write, “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Sadly, this is the state of the natural man, blinded. Trusting in the power of powerless forces to save them. Striving and toiling day in and day out after things which will amount to nothing more than a chasing after the wind. Full of self-confidence that either they will not have to give an account or that they will stand blameless on that day, for, “who could find fault with me? I’ve done my best. I followed my heart. I tried to do good.”

And for those of us who have had our spiritual eyes opened by the grace of God, through no merit of our own, do you feel this sadness? Are you grieved by the state of the natural man — blinded, bound, living in darkness, held under by the power of sin, not able to love the One who so loved them, even while they were still sinners? I think of Christ, as He drew near Jerusalem, “He saw the city and wept over it,” saying, “O Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 19:41, Matthew 23:37) I wonder if as He spoke these words He was also thinking of the elders, and the role they were instructed by Moses to play, reading aloud the law once every seven years, “that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law.” I wonder if as He wept He was thinking also of how these elders were meant not to be as blind leading the blind into ditches, but they were to be as those who reminded the people of a God who bought them, made them, and established them, “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations. Ask your father and he will show you; your elders and they will tell you.” (Deut. 32:6-8)

O, Jerusalem, you were meant to be His children, His possession, and an example to the other nations. O, elders, you were meant to remind the people never to waver, never to forget, but to continually fear the Lord, love Him, and obey His commands. Yet here you are again, stoning the prophets, opposing those who are sent to you, and attempting to lay your hands on the Lord’s anointed. How long must you persist in this? How I desired to gather you to me, to bring you home. Can you not feel the sadness of the Lord in all of these dealings? This must never be a message that we preach without tears, without emotion, without compassion, without many attempts at persuasion, that perhaps it may even be said of us, as Paul said of himself, “I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen, according to the flesh.” (Romans 9:2-3)

Unfortunately, too often this is not our manner of dealing with the opposition. Instead of weeping on their behalf, we are quick to point out that they have no authority over us. Rather than tears and sorrow over their iniquities, we boast that we are in the truth and they are not. We are constantly in debate, but are we continually on our knees in supplication before the Lord, “Oh God, have mercy on them! Forgive them, they know not what they do! For the sake of Your great name, according to your lovingkindness, deliver them from darkness into light. Not according to our great merit, but because of your great power, justice, mercy, compassion, and grace, set them free!” Do we pray in this manner? Or are we content to be set free from the common jail and go our way justified, no longer having to answer to the systems of man? 

—

Acts 5:22-24

“But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, saying, ‘Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!’ Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be.”

When Jesus began His earthly ministry, Mark describes Him as, “teaching with authority.” And not just in word only, as the people remarked, but in power as well, “even the demons obey.” Throughout the history of the earth, there have been many people of authority. Military officers, such as the centurion Jesus encountered who was a man, “under authority,” therefore he knew just as he spoke a word and it was done, so too could Jesus, “give the command.” And kings, such as Nebuchadnezzar, who had the authority to throw three young Israelite men into the fiery furnace and to order their release. Officers and kings know what it is to hold the power of a man’s life in their hands, and this can lead to a type of untouchable arrogance, a sense that, “what I say goes,” and, “I don’t have to answer to anyone.” These positions of authority are not new, nor are they uncommon, rather the distinction is drawn in the Scriptures between the realm of authority, specifically between those who have authority over the body and those who hold authority over the soul. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) 

It is clear these officers and priests were used to sitting in a position of authority. “Fetch them,” and they were fetched. “Lock them up,” and they were bound. “Kill them,” and they were put to death. And so, when One came along who challenged this authority, they, “handed Him over because of envy,” thinking this would be the end of the matter. (Matthew 27:18) Clearly, however, it was not, for now, there were more of them, these followers of The Way. And these men, too, just like their Master, spoke with boldness and carried authority over diseases and unclean spirits. Multitudes gathered and brought the sick to them, and “they were all healed.” And just like their Master before them, this authority filled the religious leaders with jealousy. 

We are each, in this life, given a certain amount of authority, or responsibility as it is also called sometimes in the Scriptures. Something or someone is entrusted to us and, for a period of time, we then have an element of control over how we will take care of, watch over, and lead. At the end of this set number of days, we will be called to give an account of this caretaking. Jesus spoke of this as recorded by John, “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” (John 6:39) It would benefit each of us to consider what has been entrusted to us? And of all that has been given, do we despise it, treat it carelessly, bury it, hide from it, or do we keep careful watch over it, praying at all times for the grace, wisdom, and discernment needed to truly manage it well? 

Yet this responsibility over what has been entrusted to us does not extend to authority in all areas, as we have previously mentioned. And a failure to understand your boundaries will lead to disastrous consequences. For the Centurion knew he had the authority to move a man, but lacked the authority to heal him - therefore he cried out for One more powerful than himself. And Nebuchadnezzar demonstrated authority over the binding and loosing of men, but came to the end of his authority as he watched someone with greater authority truly deliver and set them free. In light of this, we can rage and rebel against our limitations of authority, growing indignant, disgusted, and refusing to accept the truth — a path that will put us in direct opposition to the Lord. Alternatively, we can submit to His authority and embrace that which has been entrusted to us. 

Perhaps it need not be said, but the authority of the Lord is true, ultimate, and absolute. He alone is able to heal, deliver, and set free, or in other words, to save a man both body and soul. He not only sees the end from the beginning, but He sets the end in its place from the beginning. Predestined, predetermined, from the foundation of the world, with no lapses of judgment, momentary collapses, or seasons of neglect. Constantly in control, unconditionally able, and perfectly within His right at all times, “for all authority has been given to Me on heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18) This is an authority that is to be both worshipped and feared.

“I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. That which is has already been, and what is to be has already been; and God requires an account of what is past.” (Ecclesiastes 3:14-15)

Seeing the fourth Man in fire and seeing that none of the four men were hurt by the flames, “King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished” (Daniel 3:24) Witnessing Jesus calm the waves, “the men marveled, saying, ‘Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?’” (Matthew 8:27) Hearing of the unusual miracles of Paul compared to the lack of authority from the Jewish exorcists, “fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.” (Acts 19:17) This is an authority that belongs to One only and it is an authority that is to be both worshipped and feared. 

Those who lack this fear will ultimately lack understanding, as the ways of the Lord are not made clear to them. So it was in this case, as the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests “wondered what the outcome would be.” They were perplexed, confused, and baffled. We killed their leader and yet they seem to rise up stronger. We locked them behind bars shut securely and with guards still on watch, yet they escaped. What will come of this? What manner of power and authority do they carry? This offends our traditions and undermines our positions.

Yet if only they could see with spiritual perception, then there would be no need for wonder or confusion. All that perplexed them would simply melt away if only they could have, “the eyes of their understanding…enlightened.” (Ephesians 1:18) There are those who walk through life baffled, as if grasping at the wind in a dark room, and “all his days he also eats in darkness, and he has much sorrow and sickness and anger.” (Ecclesiastes 5:17) And then there are those firmly planted, grounded and established in the faith. As a tree planted by streams of living water, bearing fruit in all seasons. As a man who built his house on the rock. As a people who loved not their lives unto death, for they perceived, seeing Him who is invisible and His city, one not made by human hands. These are those who are not shaken, nor troubled by the affairs of this life. They do not fight for the applause of men, but take the lowest seat, waiting to be exalted by the master in due time. While some wander in confusion, these are a people who know their God and who are not left to wonder, but to “eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Therefore...stand fast in the Lord, beloved.” (Philippians 3:21-4:1)

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Acts 5:25

“So one came and told them, saying, ‘Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!’”

Whereas previously we were given a laundry list of identified individuals — the officers, the guards, the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests — here steps in a nameless witness, absent of title, degree, reputation, or any other distinguishing criteria, with a simple message, “Look.” While so many clamor for positions of power and places of recognition, here was one who carried nothing but a simple word, spoken at exactly the right moment. While all others were wondering what the outcome would be, here was one who had seen and heard, and thus spoke. How many of these nameless witnesses will there be in heaven? Be encouraged by this point. Do not trouble yourself with the fleeting favor of men, instead, seek to be known in heaven, by Him who dwells in incorruptible places. Busy yourself not with dinner parties and sitting in the places of honor, rather that you would be one who sees, hears, and perceives and thus speaks. 

Rest assured, God’s ways are not our ways. He uses the obscure to challenge the well-known, the rejected to put to shame the accepted, and the small to overtake the large, to name a few. He does not hesitate to let truth come from the foolish lips of one who was previously unknown before men, that the boast and the wisdom may be, always and forever, in the Lord and no other. 

Yet, even hearing this, you may resist, “What good is a message from heaven if we can't share it with as many people as possible? Why would God desire to keep this hidden?” And before long, our love for the reach of the platform overtakes our reverence. Our sensibilities of maintaining the system take precedence over purity. All because we were not content to be as this witness — nameless. A carrier of an important message, yet remembered for nothing more than the message. Here we have no record of this man’s heritage, family history, or accomplishments. His legacy is forgotten except that he carried a message. 

“You will be My witnesses,” so then ask yourself, “Am I? And am I content to be unknown?”

We must start here — are we yet His witness? Do we know Him? Can we speak of what we have seen and heard, and what He has done for us personally? And if yes, do we speak? Or, do we keep silent just as so many did when Christ walked the earth, “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out.” (John 12:42) Have we seen and heard and do we thus speak? We must start here. 

But then we must not stop, let us keep going — are we content to be unknown? If all we have is a message, and no one ever knows our name, would that be enough for us? What if we were never recognized for our talents? What if none made room for us, called us to the front, or gave us a title? Would we be satisfied to be nothing more than a nameless, unknown witness of what we had seen and heard? Let us search our hearts on this matter.

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Acts 5:26

“Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.”

For a period of time, it appeared the council had the power. Jail cells are jail cells after all. And to those who look on the outside, this was most likely the conclusion. There will always be those who judge according to the external. These are those who emphasize the whitewashing of the walls, all while the temple lies in disorder. This disorder though will always show itself eventually, "For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to the light." (Mark 4:22)

And here is just such a moment for the captain and the officers. These were men of authority, commissioned by the high priest and in the agreement of the council, yet it is said of them, “They feared the people.” The true state of our internal temple will always be revealed, just as true power will always win out over imitations.

No matter your stature before men, or the authority you carry, there will come a day when you will tremble before the Lord. Whether it be on the day when “every knee will bow,” or even now, as “the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” (Romans 1:18)

You will see that this short, fleeting, and fading life comes to a sudden end, and that, even for how short it was, it was never yours to begin with. Every breath and every day was appointed to you as an act of mercy from a holy God and therefore every moment of praise, love, and obedience withheld was an act of rebellion towards Him. There is only one appropriate response, only one reasonable service, “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,” for, “whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it,” and finally, “he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (Romans 12:1, Matthew 16:25, John 12:25)

The irony here then is that by seeking to avoid stoning and thereby thinking they were preserving their lives, the captain and the officers were in fact losing their souls for eternity. Whereas, in contrast, those who hated their lives for His sake, as the apostles, were being “kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:5)

And lest we come to the conclusion that this fear of men only applies to those who stand outside the religious community, we must remember that these men were sent by the spiritual leaders of their day. They were doing God’s work. Take caution then, for the fear of man is able to pervade any and all walks of life. It disguises itself under such dignified terms as rationale, enlightenment, practicality, and in fact by many other names. But at the core, it is human reasoning exalting itself above God’s ways and thoughts. The fear of the Lord keeps us from such presumptuous sins. As it’s been said of Paul, “I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and because he bowed his knee to the father he never had to bow his knee to anyone else. (Ephesians 3:14) The question remains then, do we love our lives or do we fear the Lord?

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Acts 5:27-28

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, ‘Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!’”

Here was a court of the highest order. A council that, from all outside observances, held the power of life and death in its hands. The commands they gave were strict because, in an instant, if disobeyed, the consequences were grave. We who know the outcome of the story must not gloss too quickly over the severity of the situation — these apostles were facing a verdict of life and death. What made it worth it for them to take such a risk? Peter will tell us plainly soon, for now, we must go back to the words spoken by the angel in verse 20, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” 

The angel spoke, and the apostles obeyed, “And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught.” There was no delay, no lengthy deliberations, and no careful considerations discussed that are recorded for us in the Scriptures. He speaks, and we obey. This is a straightforward formula, and before we move on to examine the content of their message, let us pause to consider the state of our own obedience. Is it swift? Do we operate under a strong conviction that we are kept by the power of God? Have we witnessed such a demonstration of the Spirit and power that we can say without fear, “those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16) His power is unrivaled, but perhaps it is absent in your life, at least in this present moment. If this is the case, I fear you have lost your spiritual eyes, at least momentarily. This can be remedied. First, “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6) And then pray to be as Elisha's servant, “Open my eyes that I may see.” 

Now, let us move on to the three parts of the message the apostles carried. We heard from the angel that they were to speak, “all the words of this life.” And now we hear from the council that their message consisted of the name of Christ, the doctrine of Christ, and the account of Christ. We’ll examine each one quickly. 

First, “did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name?” What name is this other than the name of Christ, the only begotten Son of God? This is the Christ who self-identified as the bread of life, the light of the world, the door for the sheep, the resurrection and the life, the good shepherd, the way, the truth, and the life, the true vine, and I Am. His name is an eternal name, a heavenly name, and an exclusive name. It brings with it the claim that there is no other way to the Father, no other name by which men may be saved, and none higher in authority. This was no mere man, no ordinary name, and nothing that could be easily ignored. If Christ was who He said He was, He, along with His disciples, must be loved, honored, and obeyed. If, on the other hand, He came falsely in God’s name, then He must be killed, and His followers disbanded. 

Second, “And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine.” In an examination of the condition of the people leading up to the 1949 revival on the Isle of Lewis, it was said that “Children drank in theology with their mother’s milk. The total depravity of man, the dire consequences of sin, the reality of heaven and hell, the message of God’s forgiveness to the penitent, and all else that comprises the true gospel were well-known facts. Even when a sinner had drunk too much on a Saturday night he could reel off as much theology as the minister in the pulpit. They were ‘theologians’ before ever they were saved.” (Sounds from Heaven, Peckham, p. 24)

This is the closest description I’ve ever read of what I imagined it to be like in those streets as the apostles, “filled Jerusalem with their doctrine.” This word doctrine may sound intimidating to us, but put simply, it implies the act of teaching. Not passively, however, as if all that was required was to carefully document a list of beliefs and post them for all to read at their own leisure, rather it is the careful passing along of those beliefs in the form of instruction — line by line, precept upon precept. The apostles taught, it filled the city, and those who believed, “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine.” (Acts 2:42)

From this, we can take two things. One, let us take great encouragement as we view this doctrine-filling as a fulfilled promise of the new covenant, “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” (John 6:45, Isaiah 54:13) And described in more detail in Hebrews, “For this is the [new] covenant that I will make with the house of Israel...None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me.” (Hebrews 8:10-11) 

Doctrine shall fill your heart as it filled Jerusalem in those days. It will begin with a hearing from the Father and then a learning from the Father as faith is granted to us. What previously sounded like nothing more than religious jargon now becomes lovely, beautiful, and something we are able to comprehend. It was foolish, but now we see it is making us “wise unto salvation.” (2 Timothy 3:15) Have you recently given praise to the Father, the author of the new covenant, for this blessing of doctrine-filling?

Two, let us be challenged by their story. Has doctrine so filled our heart, soul, and mind? Have we applied ourselves to doctrine, continuing steadfastly in the study and obedience of it with all our strength? And then if we can say yes to ourselves, what of those around us and the places in which we find ourselves? Does it fill our Jerusalem — our homes, places of work, the paths on which we walk? Has it filled the ears of those entrusted to us — our children, spouses, friends, coworkers, and relatives? Consider again the example on the Isle of Lewis, “They were ‘theologians’ before ever they were saved.” Devote yourselves to the apostle’s doctrine with as much vigor as to any other pursuit. 

The final aspect of the apostle’s message is perhaps the most neglected in our day, simply because it is the most offensive, “and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” The Psalms are littered with complaints from the wicked that touch on this theme of denying judgment, “[God] will not require an account.” (Psalm 10:13)

Yet the New Testament authors, these apostles, refused to let the guilty live in ignorance, “Each of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” (Revelation 20:12) Therefore, “Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand…Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:8,9)

Every person will give an account, and the blood that is on our hands will be held against us. For a period of time, according to His “goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering,” there is a delay, allowing space for repentance. Recognize your guilt, see the blood on your hands, turn from this sin, and put your faith in Jesus as the perfect sacrifice, the lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world, and the better mediator and reconciler between God and man. Sadly, all too often, as was the case with this council, the response is not repentance, but denial, anger, and violence. “Why do you insist on continually bringing our sin before us? Why can’t you leave us in peace and mind your own business?” On this point, we who call ourselves followers of Christ must examine ourselves — do we actually speak about sin to sinners? Do we call out sin as sin? Do we believe in the coming judgment of all men? And does this knowledge of the terror of God motivate us to do everything we can to persuade men? 

Sadly, many have fallen asleep on the doctrines of sin, judgment, and hell. At best, we have preferred to speak about other, more palatable, things. At worst, we have stopped believing in a literal interpretation of these realities. We have lost sight of the difference between that which is sacred and that which is profane. We have turned love into acceptance and tolerance. We have allowed the world to back us into an uncomfortable place. "Make room, make room!" is the world's cry, and so we accommodate their requests. Anything to get ourselves out of a tight place. Rather than a message which brings confrontation with evil, as was the case for the apostles here, this polluted and redefined gospel, “strengthen[s] the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness." Jeremiah 23:14

And even in using the word 'evildoers' some will cringe. Can we say that anymore? Who really does evil, aren't most people good? They're not evil, they're simply lost. Who are we to judge someone so harshly? Ah, instead, let us rewrite the moral code to accommodate, accept, and tolerate. This is a much easier way. It removes us from the possibility of having to suffer reproach, persecution, or hate. When we make room for them, then surely they will speak well of us. But woe are we when everyone speaks well of us, for this "is how their ancestors treated the false prophets." (Luke 6:26)

This compromised standard, which has become the prevalent norm, may lull us into false comfort, however, do not be fooled. While popular with men, it is hated by God and severely lacks the power to have any effect on His established order. For He has declared with words which will, 'by no means pass away," that there is such a thing as holy and unholy. Righteous and unrighteous. Good and evil. Lovers of God and haters of Him. Children of God and children of "your father, the devil."

It is time to come back to the trustworthy sayings. "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst." (1 Timothy 1:15) It is time to repent for the fact that we have exchanged such trustworthy sayings for words of relevance, inspiration, and "peace, peace!" "They continually say to those who despise Me, the Lord has said, 'You shall have peace,' and to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.'" (Jeremiah 23:17)

Make no mistake, God will not be mocked, "for whatever a man sows that will he reap." Therefore, turn back if you are able. Inquire thee of the Lord. Let us again preach with boldness, that we may say as Paul towards the end of his ministry, “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27)

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Acts 5:29

“But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”

In the midst of our daily routines, we may make a hundred decisions without ever stopping to examine them critically. What was the basis for that choice? How did I determine this over that? What were my motivations? The covenants, both old and new, deal with obedience and our faithfulness to that obedience as we make our hundred daily decisions. As it is said over and over again of David, he “kept My commandments,” and, “followed Me with all his heart, to do only what was right in My eyes.” (1 Kings 14:8) To keep the covenant, or to live according to the covenant, is to remain faithfully obedient to God’s commands, following and loving Him, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. In previous times, this presented itself as, “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” (Colossians 2:21) focusing the attention on external actions and appearances; and now it has become clear that it is really an issue of the heart, “for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) The condition of the heart must be dealt with before we will ever be able to please God with our actions. Thus we are given the instruction, “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) Let us always go to the heart. What is in there? Have we truly been born again? Are we partakers of the new covenant, which comes with a promise of a new heart and a new nature, “I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people?” (Hebrews 8:10) For if you have been regenerated, redeemed, born again, your heart will change. Its desires, loves, interests, loyalties, assurances, comforts, and joys, will all be impacted. 

Some look at the scene played out in verse 29, Peter and the apostles called to give an account before an audience that appeared to have the authority to order their deaths, and wonder, “Could I answer as boldly as they did?” Friends, let us examine our answer to that question closely. We may say, “I would be afraid of death,” and this response would put us firmly back in verse 26 with the captain and the officers who “feared the people,” or with those who “dared not join,” the church in verse 13. These unsanctified ones still loved their lives and saw the threat of man as more real than the terribleness of falling into the hands of the living God.  Or perhaps we would answer, “I would be bold and even more so.” There can be an arrogance and aggressiveness in believing yourself to be above all earthly authority. We can start to take great pleasure in hitting back, rebuking the councils we may stand in front of, never bowing, and become quick to always pick up the sword. These are the type who would do well to meditate upon the light of the call to, “speak the truth in love,” “live a quiet life,” and, “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,” but to do it, “with meekness and fear.”

There is a third type of response though, one that cannot help but speak with simple boldness while remaining gentle, meek, and loving. It is the response of one who has seen the enormity of their own crimes before a holy God and has something of an understanding of the grace of God. These are those who are driven not by the need to be right, obtain power, or save their own lives, but they are compelled by the love of Christ. When they examine their abilities, in light of the task at hand, they cry out, “Who is sufficient for these things?” While at the same time, they take comfort and confidence in the promise, “Lo I will be with you even to the ends of the earth.” These faithful few can stand in front of councils, courts, and critics, and, “not worry about how or what,” they should answer or what they should say, knowing that, “the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:11-12) These are not their words, but His. This is not their business, but their Father’s. They are living not for themselves, “but for Him who died for them and rose again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15) Therefore if they speak, it cannot be to boast or in arrogance, but, “as the oracles of God.” They shudder at the thought of approaching another from a place of superiority, knowing the depths that the Lord has raised the poor (that’s them) from the dust and lifted the beggar (that’s them as well) from the ash heap. (1 Samuel 2:8) In the simplest of terms then — we either see ourselves as undeserving sinners raised from great depths through no worth or merit of our own, or we are thankful that we are “not like other men.” (Luke 18:11) 

If we have been forgiven much, we have no choice but to lay down our lives, no longer fearing the one who has the power to kill the body, but rather fearing and serving the One who holds the power over both body and soul. When we have been forgiven this much, we love much, both the Lord and others. All of this takes us up to the moment of the apostles’ response, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” This is the basis of their actions before their argument begins and almost irregardless of the specific words they choose as their defense, it all stems from this truth: obedience to God rather than men. Coming back to our original question — in the midst of our daily routines, we may make a hundred decisions without ever stopping to examine them critically. What was the basis for that choice? Do we live always and in all things according to the same truth as the apostles: obedience to God rather than men? 

Before we go, let us notice one more thing. Peter’s reply is not the answer of one, especially charismatic man, the obvious leader whom the others kind of took their cues from. No this is a collective answer, “Peter and the other apostles answered.” While they surely spurred each other on to love and good deeds from time to time, what is shown to us here is a group that spoke as one, not needing to wait for the strength, courage, or instruction of a particular person, which seems to so often be the case in our modern context of the group. Collective unity always starts with the individual heart brought into union with Christ, then a will surrendered to the will of the Father, and finally led by the Spirit as they are built up into a spiritual household, prepared as a singular bride for the Bridegroom. Let us not be a people who fight over whose name gets named first, but let us fight to be in such unity, “Peter and the other apostles answered.”

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Acts 5:30-32

“‘The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.’”

What do we say to those who make it a habit to act forcefully against the Lord’s anointed? “Touch not,” is one response, and yet here the apostles take a different approach. When they could have stood up for their rights, demanding honor and respect because of their position, they keep silent on the matter. Perhaps it momentarily occurs to them to speak as James and John once did against those who did not receive their Lord, “Shall we call down fire from heaven to consume them?” (Luke 9:54) But alas, their tongue remained still to speak an adversarial word, as must have been the case so frequently for Christ as well, “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53) Instead, when they do speak, the communication is clear, measured, and without any amount of self-seeking. We would do well to thus speak. 

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.” Here is the account that the religious leaders wanted to ignore, brought before their faces again. And in retelling it, the apostles practice no mincing of words. There appears to be no concern for human feelings nor a rounding of the edges slightly to soften the blow, as we so often are prone to do. The Scriptures make clear man’s condition before a holy God, yet we tend to speak around the issue. Instead, “You murdered,” leaves no room for escape. It is a phrase that can also be translated slew and to lay violent hands upon, and it is directed straight at those who just a few verses earlier had, “laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.” (v.18) 

There can be no fear if we are to speak as Christ’s ambassadors, “as though God were making His appeal through us.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) We must therefore examine ourselves. If we look closely do we find boldness? What about the belief that it is better to be accepted by God than praised by men? Or even deeper, past all the religious language, what is down there? Are we certain that we carry the balm for the masses, the only true source of life, freedom, forgiveness, and healing? And when we speak, do we speak with this certainty? 

Additionally, we must always speak directly to the people in front of us. Not to a nameless and faceless crowd, nor as robots repeating a rehearsed set of phrases, but as men and women pleading to individual men, women, and children, whoever it may be that the Lord has brought into our path. In this case, the apostles knew they were speaking to fellow Israelites and so they aligned their appeal to the God of our fathers. “Oh, how we wish you would consider Noah, Moses, Abraham, and so many of our ancestors, who looked ahead, in faith, to this day. How they longed to see what you now see! Will you continue to reject Him, Jesus Christ, the One God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior? He is the perfect sacrifice, here to once and for all atone for our sins. And at least for the moment, an opportunity for repentance remains for Israel. Look at us, as fellow Israelites, as an example. And if that is not enough, hear the witness of the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

The witness of the Spirit is a powerful concept that is worth examining for a moment. Romans 8 details for us a new life in the Spirit for those who believe. It is a life governed by the law of the Spirit, walking according to the Spirit, set free from the flesh (since those who are in the flesh cannot please God) to be made alive by the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. This work of the Spirit is more than a one-time event, or in other words, He did not do His work and then leave, instead, “His Spirit..dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11) So that it could be said, truthfully, of us, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (8:16) 

Do we know of this witness? Are we assured, in our spirit, that we are children of God? Here the apostles seem to be making it clear that there exists a two-fold testimony, “We are witnesses. So is His Spirit.” Yet there is a third confirmation as well, a Spirit given to those who obey Him. “As we witness, so does His Spirit of comfort and conviction, leading men into the truth. And at the same time the Spirit witnesses to our spirit that we are children of God. We are His, called His own, adopted, and beloved. How can we fail?! How can we lose heart?! Truly nothing is impossible with God. Oh that the whole world who come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.”

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Acts 5:33

“When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.”

If we have ever been face-to-face with rage, either from others or looking back at ourselves in the mirror, then we know the fury it carries. There will be no reasoning, no kind consideration, nothing but pure anger seeking whom it may devour. If this is rage at a baseline, then what can be said of this type of fury in people of power, whether it be kings whose rage can make a life or death sentence or a group of individuals who need not check with anyone before pronouncing judgment? Perhaps some of us have even stood at the feet of such raging power. Let us take some consolation from the words of Scripture. First, there is One greater to be feared, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) We may never be able to appease the wrath of the furious man who has the ability to destroy our reputation, livelihood, even our body, but a way has been made for us to be at peace with God, the One who is greater to be feared. Whenever we encounter earthly rage then, let us thank God for Jesus Christ. 

Second, the plans of God will not be thwarted by the fury of man. Even as, “the nations rage, the people plot,” “the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed,” “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh.” (Psalm 2:1-4) This is the God who, “has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27) This is the Lord God, “who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,” therefore it can be asked rhetorically, “who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him?” (Isaiah 40:12-13) Instead, “Behold the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales…All the nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.” (Isaiah 40:15,17) Take comfort then that this is the God we serve. As the author of Hebrews instructs, “So we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6) 

King Hezekiah knew something of facing a powerful man’s fury when King Sennacherib of Assyria laid siege to Judah and Jerusalem. As his “massive army” encamped outside the wall, he sent letters, mocking Hezekiah’s hope in God, “As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver.” (2 Chronicles 32:17) Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib’s, “purpose was to make war against Jerusalem.” Yet even in the face of such furious plotting, Hezekiah did not waver. Instead, he encouraged the people by saying, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him.” He continued, “With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” (32:7-8) 

The people were strengthened by Hezekiah’s words, for, as is the case with all who have been declared righteous by faith, he looked not to what is seen, but to what is unseen, since, “the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18) Entire nations may rage and the armies of the world unite against the Lord, as is described in Revelation, “And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.” (Revelation 19:19) Yet, whether at the end of the age, in the time of Hezekiah, or in our day, the result will always be the same. None who oppose the Lord shall prevail, “Then the Lord sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor…in the camp of the king of Assyria,” “and when the people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead.” (2 Chronicles 32:21, Isaiah 37:36)

Fear not, what can man do to us? Let us praise His great and awesome name and, “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool—He is holy.” (Psalm 99:3,5)

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Acts 5:34-35

“Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: ‘Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.’”

In progress.