PETER’S DEFENSE.
Acts 5:27-32.
The first time that Peter and John had been arrested was after the healing of a lame man when they were asked, ‘By what power or by what name have you done this?’ (Acts 4:7). ‘Jesus Christ of Nazareth,’ Peter boldly replied, ‘whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead’ (Acts 4:10).
So the Council ‘commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus’ (Acts 4:18). To which Peter and John replied, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than God, you judge’ (Acts 4:19).
The second time the Apostles were arrested was when the high priest and the Sadducees ‘laid hands upon them and put them in the common prison’ (Acts 5:17-18). But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ‘Go, stand in the Temple and speak to the people all the words of this life’ Acts 5:20).
You can imagine the embarrassment of the Officers of the Court when they came to fetch the Apostles, and they were not there (Acts 5:22)! But the Apostles were not hiding. Someone reported that they were ‘standing in the Temple and teaching the people!’ (Acts 5:25).
So they were arrested a third time, ‘without violence, for fear of the people’ (Acts 5:26). Which brings us to the incredible interchange described for us by Doctor Luke in today’s passage (Acts 5:27-32).
The accusation pronounced by the high priest falls into three parts: “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name?” “And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching”; “and intend to bring this man’s blood on us!” (Acts 5:28).
The reply of Peter and the others is as bold as ever: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29; cf. Acts 4:19). This is not a general call to civil disobedience over any and every cause, but specifically over the cause of preaching the gospel.
No man, and no human authority has the right to try to prevent those commissioned by Jesus from preaching the word of God. This is, after all, the command of Jesus, and it is only in His authority that we should preach (Matthew 28:19-20).
“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,” continued Peter (Acts 5:30a). Notice he says “our” fathers. The whole of mankind was awaiting the promised Saviour, and especially the Jewish family. This was the one promised to Moses, as Peter had already explained to the people (Acts 3:22-23).
“Jesus whom you slew by hanging on a tree,” Peter reminded his accusers (Acts 5:30b). Yes, you did kill Him, when you stirred up the people to cry ‘His blood be on us, and on our children’ (Matthew 27:25). So how can you complain that WE intend to bring this man’s blood on you? You did it to yourselves!
“Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince” (Acts 5:31a). This is our authority. He is the ‘my Lord’ to whom ‘the LORD’ speaks, saying ‘Sit thou at My right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool’ (Psalm 110:1).
“Him God has exalted to be … Saviour” (Acts 5:31b). ‘Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved’ (Acts 4:12; cf. John 14:6).
“For to give repentance unto Israel” (Acts 5:31c). This tells us that repentance is not something which we whip up for ourselves (cf. Hebrews 12:17). It is a gift of God (2 Timothy 2:25). Just as surely as is the “forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31d; cf. Luke 24:47).
“And we are His witnesses to these things,” continues Peter (Acts 5:32a; cf. Acts 1:8); “as is also the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:32b; cf. John 16:8-11).
The Holy Spirit “whom God has given to those who obey Him” (Acts 5:32c). Obey Him how?
By obeying the call of the gospel (cf. Romans 1:5; 1 John 3:23). By obeying the call to repent (Acts 17:30). By obeying the call to believe, and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:31).
