Acts 5:17-26 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,… I. THE APOSTLES IMPRISONED AND RELEASED. 1. Put in prison (Acts 4:1; Acts 13:45; Acts 17:5; Luke 21:12). 2. Led out of prison (Acts 12:7; Acts 16:26; Hebrews 1:14). 3. Teaching in the temple. (1) The command given (Matthew 10:27; John 6:68; Acts 20:20). (2) The command obeyed (Proverbs 28:1; Isaiah 8:13; Matthew 10:28). 4. Sent by the council. (1) The sending. (2) The report (Psalm 124:7; Psalm 91:3; Ezekiel 34:22). (3) The perplexity (Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 2:44; Mark 4:32). 5. Lessons: Faithful witnesses for Christ — (1) May count upon exciting the jealousy of those who are the enemies of Christ. (2) May count upon some kind of hostile interference by the enemies of Christ. (3) May count upon the ministries of angels in their behalf. (4) May count upon God's being alive to any dangers they may incur by witnessing for Christ. (5) May count upon God's delivering them when it is best for His cause that they should be delivered. (6) Are called upon to speak to the people all the words of this life. (7) Still cause the enemies of Christ to be perplexed with the question as to whereunto this gospel is to grow. II. THE APOSTLES ON TRIAL. 1. The apostles brought (Matthew 14:5; 1 Peter 2:13). 2. The apostles examined. (1) The reminder (Acts 4:18; Daniel 6:12; Daniel 3:10). (2) The accusation. (a) Ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching. "Ye shall be My witnesses... in Jerusalem" (Acts 1:8). " Shall go forth... the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2:3). "The earth shall be filled with knowledge... of the Lord" (Habakkuk 2:14). (b) "And intend to bring this Man's blood upon us " (Matthew 27:25; Acts 2:1.36, 3:14). 3. Lessons: If the disciples of Christ are faithful — (1) They will secure the respect and favour of the people. (2) They will find that deliverance from one trouble will not secure them from further trial. (3) They may some times be compelled to disobey the mandates of the authorities. (4) They will yet fill the world with their teaching. (5) They will bring the blood of Christ upon all men, either for their redemption or for their condemnation. III. THE APOSTLES' ANSWER. 1. The declaration. "We must obey God rather than men" (chap. Acts 4:19; Daniel 3:18; Daniel 6:10). 2. The reason for the declaration. (1) The facts. (a) "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew" (Acts 2:24; Acts 3:26; 1 Corinthians 15:13). (b) "Him did God exalt... to give repentance to Israel" (chap. Acts 2:33; Philippians 2:9; Matthew 1:21). (2) Their relation to the facts. "We are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Ghost" (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8; Hebrews 2:4). 3. Lessons:(1) The fundamental rule for Christians, "We must obey God rather than men."(2) Christians should obey God rather than men. (a) Because of that which Jesus has done to purchase their perfect obedience. (b) Because of the exaltation of the One whom they serve. (c) Because they are witnesses for Christ, their witness being effective in proportion to their fidelity to God. (S. S. Times.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, |
    |