Missional Living — Being Relevant (Acts 5:17-21)

by roderickbarnes Missional Living

What do you do when godly people are being mistreated for believing in Jesus? What do you do when a men are incarcerated for daring to tell the truth about the fallenness of humanity, the great grace of God toward Man through the Son, and the availability of forgiveness and new life through faith? Our answer to this question is an indicator of whether or not our faith is functional and relevant or dysfunctional and inconsequential. Before you recoil at that statement and set this book aside forever, read this chapter. If, after reading this, you do not agree with what is being presented here, I will personally refund the money you paid for this book.

The Reaction of the Religious (Acts 5:17-18; John 12:42-43)

17 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, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.

This is now the second time the Sadducees, a group of people that do not believe in the resurrection (Matthew 22:23; Luke 20:27; Acts 23:8), have been provoked. Once again they have been incited into action by the preaching and teaching ministries of the apostles. This is the second time the apostles have irked them. In the first instance the marvelous healing and subsequent rejoicing of a well-known temple beggar occasioned an audience (Acts 3:7-10). Peter and John publicly refused to accept credit and attributed the miracle to the power of the risen Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 3:12-16). The crowd is listening to the apostles as they used the platform created by the healing to proclaim the gospel. During the preaching that followed the captain of the temple seized upon Peter and John and put them in custody until the next day (Acts 4:1-3). However, when brought out for a trial, Peter did some seizing of his own; the fisher of men seized the moment for the glory of God. In bold fashion the Galilean’s response to the question of how the man was healed

(i) indicts Israel’s leadership for the murder of the Lord (Acts 4:10),

(ii) declares the resurrection of Jesus and His position of prophesied importance (Acts 4:11) , and

(iii) promotes forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Himself (Acts 4:12).

In that first case the Sanhedrin did not repent. Instead they commanded the ignorant and untrained cult leaders (Acts 4:13) to stop witnessing for Jesus (Acts 4:17-18). Do you remember how Peter responded? Peter made it clear that he was not going to keep that command (Acts 4:19-20) and so, in the face of the blatant disregard for their directive, they threatened him… and then let he and John go (Acts 4:21).

Acts 5:17 — Here we are again. But it is worse this time. The same group, the high priest… and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees) have been watching as the prohibition on preaching Jesus went unheeded. Teaching and preaching keep happening. That is, the apostles continue declaring (1) that Jesus is the Christ promised by God through the prophets and validated by God through miracles signs and wonders, (2) forgiveness is available to everyone who repents and comes to God through faith in Jesus, (3) resurrection from the dead to a reward lies ahead for those who have trusted Jesus, and (4) the Holy Spirit is given to those who will obey God in the command to believe in Jesus (Ephesians 1:13). They were told to stop but did not. And now more people than ever know the truth. What truth?

  • The Truth about the Messiah – God has sent the Messiah in accordance with numerous prophecies. He was born of the seed of David (Luke 3:23-38), in the town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6; Luke 2:11), and through a virgin (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14). He was the rabble-rousing rabbi from Nazareth: Jesus.
  • The Truth about His Murder – He was crucified but was raised from the dead on the third day. When the leadership could not stop the growing influence of Jesus they colluded to have him put to death – the aforementioned crucifixion. Although he had committed no sin, Jesus was sentenced to die as a criminal in the shameful and painful death of a cross. The Roman official Pontius Pilate, realizing that Jesus was innocent, tried to let him go. The Sadducees (and Pharisees) were not having it. The religious leaders guided the people into demanding Jesus’ death (Matthew 27:20; Mark 15:11; Luke 23:13-23).

It was too much for people who were preoccupied with the self-promotion and protection of their own vain glory (John 12:42-43). Upon hearing that the Galileans were still promoting the resurrection, railing against their murder of the Christ, and preaching to get decisions about Jesus, they are filled with indignation (ζήλου – John 2:17; Acts 13:35). They cannot bear the assertions about the ousted Rabbi and are wholly unprepared for the brazen disregard for their authority, the bold disrespect of teaching a forbidden doctrine in their house, and the lambasting declaration that they are murderers.

Here we are again. But this time it is different. How? Notice, friend, that in the company of people coming into Solomon’s colonnade is the high priest himself. This is new; he did not come with the arresting party last time. This time he is not delegating the operation to the temple captain and his law-enforcing cohort. His anger is so hot that he has personally come to help make the arrest and make sure that they get all of the apostles – not just Peter and John.

18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.

Acts 5:18 — Having apprehended the rebellion leadership they put them in the common prison (τηρήσει δημοσίᾳ). It could be that the prior place of imprisonment was full or not large enough for the twelve. However, I believe that it was likely an attempt to make a public example of the apostle’s defiance. This will prove to be a mistake.

The Relevance in the Rescue (Acts 5:19-20)

19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

An angel of the Lord briefly enters the narrative. The but of Acts 5:19 tells the reader that the angel’s actions are to be seen as a response to the imprisonment. Who is he? Is it Gabriel? He does have a history of bringing a message of encouragement to people that are distraught or needing answers (Daniel 8:15-17; 9:21-23; Luke 1:11-13; 18-19; 26-28). We are not given a name. In fact, Luke is especially frugal in describing the apostles’ visitor. There is no mention made of his name, no intimation of a shining face (Matthew 28:3), and no hint of amazing apparel (Mark 16:5; John 20:12; Luke 24:4; Acts 1:10). But what he does say goes beyond the mere relating of historical events to challenge and encourage us today. The angel, a servant of God ministering to those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14), provides a practical example of what to do for our brothers and sisters in peril.

  • He was Real in their Misery — They have the indwelling Holy Spirit. And so they are not alone (John 14:18). And the Lord has the power to speak a word and make something happen from a distance; the prison could have been opened remotely. And the message given them could have been communicated with dreams and visions. But at this time these men do not need a vision; they need a visit. Their public incarceration was personal. More than a vision they need a visitor. Someone needs to go in person out of their way to see them in prison.
  • He Released Them — The ministry of this ministering spirit goes beyond an appearance and words of encouragement. Their problem is not psychological. Our apostles are not theologically incarcerated. These men of God are actually incarcerated and what they need, in order to be effective witnesses at this time, is to be released. These men do not need hypothetical help or mere words; they require a liberation. The angel brings actual aid in the form of a real release.
  • He Reminded Them of Their Mission — The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. And where it seems unnecessary to say certain things, it is certain that certain things need to be said. Perhaps some of these men have never been to jail. And maybe some of them have never been handled roughly. It would be easy for them to get caught up in the turmoil of their own emotions and take some time to recuperate. But Heaven has a point to make and these men need to make their appointment. The world has need of their words (John 17:18-20; Luke 10:16; John 21:15-17). The angel directs them to get back to the work they were called to, the work needed by the people, the ministry of speaking the words of this life.

It is not enough to tell people that we are praying for them. It is not enough to wish that people get well, or to want them to be encouraged during their incarceration (or hospitalization). It is not enough to send money. There comes a time for those who name the name of Christ to get up from the pews and go to the place where their brethren are being held. Why? To speak words of encouragement. To remind them that they are loved on earth as well as in Heaven (Matthew 25:36). And, if it is proper and possible, to set them free.

Figure 1 – What would it look like for you to visit someone in prison and be an encouragement?

Questions for Consideration

  1. Do I know of anyone that is currently incarcerated for their faith in Christ, suffering for serving Jesus, or dealing with the consequences of godly civil disobedience? Is it that there is no one or that I have not taken the time to find out who they are and where they are?
  2. What does God want me to do for those who are in trouble? The answer is seen in Jesus Himself (John 3:16; Matthew 20:28) and the angel of this passage.
  3. If I cannot go to the persons in peril or prison, what others ways can reach them with relevant aid and encouragement to remain engaged in what God has called them to do?

The Righteous Rebellion and the Clueless Council (Acts 5:21)

21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. 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.

The visit was not in vain. The apostles heard the words and heeded them. There would be no retreating to recuperate. Instead there would be a relentless charge against the gates of hell through the spoken word (Acts 5:20). The lesson of Lazarus was with the Lord’s men. They are now living in the fulness of a righteous rebellion. And what about the hard-nosed high priest and his council?

[T]he high priest and those with him are the Sadducees. Again, they are a group that does not believe in angels, spirits, or resurrection (Acts 23:8). All of those with the high priest are an ungodly clique clinging desperately to a weakening grip on the people; they are afraid of losing power (John 11:48). The disturbance that started with Jesus was not quelled with His execution. In has gotten worse. The troublemakers have been arrested and the Sadducees have called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel. We can imagine that they are seated in semicircle. Many of them are dressed in ornate and expensive long robes (Mark 12:38; Acts 22:20). This was the supreme court and legislative body in ancient Israel; this council (συνέδριον) is The Great Sanhedrin. It was composed of 71 members and included the high priest, the elders of the people, and a select group of scribes. This is new. Compare this gathering with the last time the high priest was present to judge the apostles. What changed?

  • Increased Arrests – In the prior gathering only two apostles were arrested: Peter and John. This time all of them have been arrested.
  • Increased Formality – In the prior gathering it was the high priest and his family (Acts 4:5) – Sadducees. This time it is the Sanhedrin. The two main doctrinal camps of the Jewish religious leadership are both present.

Tensions are escalating. The seriousness of the conflict and anger is growing. We have gone from an informal court of the high priest’s family and friends to a formal supreme court hearing. Now that the court membership has convened they are ready to bring the accused to stand trial. And so the Sanhedrin sent to the prison to have the apostles brought before them.

Just like Jesus, the apostles have an adversarial relationship with bad religious leadership. They were commanded to stop. But they have defied that decree. Just like Jesus, the apostles’ defiance and determination to persist in teaching the truth with signs supporting their message (Acts 4:30) is aggravating their adversaries and turning into a trial. And then there is you. Yes, you!

If you are following Jesus, this is where you are headed. But you don’t want conflict? Any attempt to have Christ and not have conflict with the world is futile (John 15:18; 2 Timothy 3:12). You cannot have one without the other. To be led by the Spirit of Christ is to be at odds with a world that is led by another spirit (Ephesians 2:2).

And do not miss that the council does not (1) receive the message or (2) know what God is doing for his messengers. They are like Herod looking for the Christ Child in the wrong places. They sent to have the apostles brought from the prison. But they are not in the prison. And, again, then there is you. Yes, you!

Attempts to control your message, cut off your ministry, and imprison the messenger only work insofar as God wants them to. He is the one in control. And you have one job. Be His witness (Acts 1:8). Be His witness before the people who want and need to hear the gospel. Be his witness before the court when called to give an answer for your ongoing efforts to promote Christ.

Questions for Consideration

  1. What can I expect to happen if I follow the example of Jesus and the apostles in declaring the truth?
  2. What is going to happen if I am told to stop preaching Christ? Bear in mind that the apostles received a special word on continuing in their ministry (Acts 5:20).
  3. Does the Lord care about the people that are trying to prevent gospel preaching (Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11; Luke 19:41-42)?