The Battle Between Malice and Grace
Acts 5:17-42, Romans 5:3-5, Ephesians 3:20-21
The jealousy of the Sadducees in partnership with the high priest Annas or Caiaphas was rooted in fear of the influence the apostles had, fear of losing power and wealth. The arrest of the apostles and the angels’ release shows the battle between the religious leaders’ malice and God’s great power and grace. We see in this passage the faithfulness of the apostles to God’s command for gospel proclamation even in the midst of challenge and difficulty. We also see that the people in that time revered the apostles which made it difficult for the Sadducees to do anything to the apostles using force.
What is the Sanhedrin? The Sanhedrin was the supreme council and tribunal of the Jews headed by a High Priest and having religious, civil, and criminal jurisdiction. The apostles show their ultimate submission is to Christ when they say - “We must obey God over human beings.” They proclaim the gospel further which only infuriates the religious people of the time more.
Gamaliel was a leading man in the council. He was a Pharisee by profession and a “doctor of the law” by the office. He studied the scriptures and taught Paul, and some say Barnabas and Stephen as well, who would later become disciples of Jesus. Gamaliel urges the Sanhedrin to carefully consider and refrain from persecuting the apostles. He gives two examples of others being persecuted/killed yet the message only spreads more. He closes his statements by saying, “For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Gamaliel’s speech persuaded the religious leaders and they flogged the apostles and let them go. The apostles show their devotion to Christ in that they count it as joy to be suffering for His Name and they continued to teach and proclaim the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
Reflect:
How would you react if you were facing similar persecution to that which the apostles experienced in this passage?
What would it take for you to count it as joy when opposition comes your way for the sake of Christ?
What is something you learn about God through this passage?
