Know How To Act Not React Series

“Know How To Act Not React”

Acts 5:26-42

What will you do IF or WHEN you are commanded not to speak about Jesus?

This would seem to be a question that we would never have to answer; but with these days there may come a time when we, like the Apostles, will stand accused of preaching truth.

We have a rather long text this morning but it is all one subject.

I have discovered that if all we do is react then we are on a defense and not the offence with the Gospel message.

I. Allured and Accused

26-28 “Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

Vs. 26-27

Without violence - Not by force; not by “binding” them.

Notice that “the captain with the officers” feared the people?

The obvious observation is that the guards realized that the Apostles were popular before the people, and why not, they have seen many miracles, perhaps some of them were the recipients of such miracles.

They did not drag them away but seems to allure them, perhaps inviting them to speak at the counsel

Vs. 28

Saying, did not we straitly command you,.... Or give you strict orders, with severe threatening, we warned you to stop preaching in the name of this man.

behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine; - Now look at the amount of people you have influenced.

and intend to bring this man's blood upon us; - It looks like you want to blame us for His death. (Ya think?) Acts 4:10 “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.”

To bring “one’s blood” upon another is a phrase signifying to hold or to prove him guilty of murdering the innocent.

The expression here charges them with desiring to prove that they had put Jesus to death when he was innocent

II. Answer And No Anxiety

29-32 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”

How does one respond to such statements?

“We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Not so long ago the government ordered that gathering together would be a health risk and therefore would be illegal.

You can go to the bar

You can go to Wal Mart

You go to the major stores

But you cannot go to Church

A small family business

To another families house

Or even the park to walk alone.

I have no doubt that this was a rehearsal to see if the people are willing to obey ANY orders from our elected officials.

Just a side note: In America we have a Republic Government.

That is to say we send others to represent us not dictate to us!

We are about to lose this Government if we just roll over and give up.

A journal kept by James McHenry (1753-1816) while he was a Maryland delegate to the Constitutional Convention. On the page where McHenry records the events of the last day of the convention, September 18, 1787, he wrote: “A lady asked Dr. Franklin Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy – A republic replied the Doctor if you can keep it.” Then McHenry added: “The Lady here alluded to was Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia.”

Vs. 31-32 “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”

We sing it often and should; “Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves.

III. Annoyed And Angered

33 “When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.”

Giving the right answer will not always bring a favorable response.