Counted Worthy To Suffer Shame

Counted Worthy to Suffer Shame

Acts 5:33-42

As we continue our study in the Book of Acts, let us review some things we have already learned. First of all we remember that the mission of the church is to continue what Jesus began to do and teach (Acts 1:1). Acts 1:8 defines the outward spiral of the growth of the church from Jerusalem, to Samaria and Judaea, and then to the uttermost parts of the earth. We should take note that this passage still falls withing the sphere of the church bearing witness to Jesus in Jerusalem. This passage ends the connection of the early church to the Jewish Temple. Starting in chapter six, the scene changes to the synagogue of the Greek-speaking Jews in Jerusalem. And starting with chapter eight, after the stoning of Stephen, the scene changes to ministry to Judaea and Samaria.

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There are several important themes we have learned. the first of these is that of being witnesses to the Gospel. The church bore testimony to the person of Jesus, his earthly mission terminating in His sacrificial death on a cross for our sins, His resurrection, His ascension, His commissioning of the church, and His promise to return.This mission is characterized by joyfulness, even in suffering. It is also characterized by boldness. It is a ministry directed by the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes the unity of the believers in one church.

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The witness of the church is characterized by both external persecution and the temptation to internal dissent, bot of which threatened to derail the mission of the Church. These temptations end with stating that unity was restored as well as joy and power.

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The Apostles were on trial before the Sanhedrin and had given bold testimony to Jesus before them, including the accusing them of murdering Jesus (Acts 5:30). We must realize that this was said in the context of the Sanhedrin. we must beware of persecuting and blaming the Jews solely for the crucifixion of Jesus. Pontus Pilate, representing the Gentiles also condemned Jesus and was culpable for the murder of Jesus as well. (John 19:11). As Jesus died for the sin of the world, all of us, whether Jew or Gentile are culpable for His death. So no human is without blame for the murder of Jesus. So we must keep context when we witness. To say that the Jews killed Jesus, which is a true statement, when witnessing to Gentiles would tend to remove their guild in the death of Jesus. So the words which Peter addresses to the Sanhedrin are addressed to us as well.

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We must not leave off the rest of the Gospel story. There is universal guilt before God for the worst crime ever committed by man. There is hope of restoration for those who hear and obey the Gospel. Because Jesus could have rightfully refused to die on the cross for our sin, His consent to die in a sense makes Himself culpable for His own death. It is by repentance and believing on Him and His atoning sacrifice that our guilt is removed.

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The sacrificial death was meant to bring this repentance of all Israel, including the Sanhedrin. soon we shall see that this repentance would be offered to all people. But the context shows that the Sanhedrin rejected this offer. Instead of repenting, they bristled with anger and desired to put the Apostles to death. They had blown their chance. They had one last chance when Paul was tried before them years later, Their impenitence would lead to the destruction of their destruction on 70 AD. There is a limit to God’s patience. One must see the offer of receiving Jesus as the last invitation he will ever receive. God might call again, but one must never presume.

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The next thing we learn from this passage is that God is sovereign. We see that there were several times in the life of Jesus that the Jews desired to kill him. We see in Luke 4:28-30 that His own kinfolk in Nazareth tried to throw him of the brow of a cliff in the city. But he passed through them. He would indeed be murdered, but not on man’s timetable, but the Father’s. they also tried to stone Him. we also see this in John 8:59). God holds our future in His hands. We see many escapes from death the Apostles were threatened with. But we also see that Stephen was stones and James beheaded. Later, most if not all of these Apostles along with Paul would suffer martyrdom. but not this day.

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We are now introduced to a Pharisee named Gamaliel who was held in great reputation for his learning and wisdom, even among the Sadducees. We know that he tutored Paul the Apostle before Paul’s conversion to Christianity. He is referred to in many of the Jewish writings. He is reputed to have been the son of Simon and grandson of the famed Rabbi Hillel. Christian tradition identifies this Simon as the Simon who presented the infant Jesus before the Lord in the Temple (Luke 2:25-32), but there is no supporting evidence for this.