“Detained For Doing Right”
Acts 4:1-4
I have said many times, and I believe Scripture can back it; If you can see your enemy then you are seeing the wrong enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Now we see a conflict that has taken place and we clearly see four (4) groups of people: 1. the crowd, 2. the priest, 3. the captain of the temple, and 4. the Sadducees.
Three out of four of these groups are not happy!
Acts 4:1 “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
The priests - It is probable that these priests were a part of the Sanhedrin, or Great Council of the nation. It is evident that they claimed some authority for preventing the preaching of the apostles.
The captain of the temple - This was the commander of the guard stationed chiefly in the tower Antonia, especially during the great feasts; and it was his duty to preserve order and prevent any uproar.
It appears that he came at this time to prevent a uproar or suppress a riot, as it was supposed that the teaching of the apostles and the crowd collected by the healing of the lame man would lead to a trouble.
The Antonia Fortress was an addition built by Herod the Great and named for Herod's patron Mark Antony, as a fortress whose chief function was to protect the Second Temple.
Just imagine Roman soldiers who do the bidding of the religious crowd.
It was built in Jerusalem at the eastern end of the Second Wall, at the north-western corner of the Temple Mount, and was connected to the Temple by a porch like structure.
The Sadducees - The main difference between the Pharisees and the Sadducees was their differing opinions on the supernatural aspects of religion.
To put things simply, the Pharisees believed in the supernatural; while the Sadducees did not.
They often disagreed and argued accept when they had a common enemy; anyone who would challenge their authority (Christians).
“Pharisees where fair-u-see because they believed in a resurrection while the Sadducees were sad-u-see because they rejected any hope of a resurrection.”
Spake - to use words in order to declare one’s mind and disclose one’s thoughts
It is sad that many times we are given opportunity to speak words that could be uplifting or change another’s life and yet we so often waist this precious time with words that attack or demean someone.
Acts4:2 “Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.”
Grieved - to be troubled, displeased, offended, pained, to be worked up
The word thus translated occurs in only one other place in the New Testament Acts 16:18.
It implies more than simple sorrow; it was a mingled emotion of indignation and anger.
What could cause such of disruption in their emotional well being?
The Word of God was being preached.
People are being helped.
The problem is that it was not done their way of religion and Jesus was the focus not them.
Remember that the Sadducees were sad-u-see because they do not believe in the resurrection and Jesus was seen by so many people there was no denying this fact.
Taught - didasko (did-as’-ko) This is the root for “doctrine” and it is both true and unchangeable.
Preached - to proclaim publicly, publish
This is a Present, Active, Infinitive tense
Which means “right now, always doing, without stopping.”
A great description of preaching.
Acts4:3 “And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.”
We are in a country where it is rare that a person would be arrested for simply preaching the truth, but there was a time in our nation’s history that standing with truth could get you a jail sentence or even executed; and we should be ready to follow our ancestors example.
History records many men and women who have given their lives for the sake of the Gospel message.
Laid hands - to grab or sieve with their hands to control them.
Put them in hold – Hold - a place where prisoners are kept, a prison
In other words; Peter and John were “Detained For Doing Right.”
There is always someone who will not like it when you publicly give your testimony or preach the truth.
Just because you are doing right will not exempt you from persecution.
But doing right will always have God’s blessings upon you no matter man’s action toward you.
True Story:
While I was in the Navy and stationed overseas, I had the privilege of starting Calvary Baptist Church in Sicily for the military stationed there. I told my supervisors what I was doing in my off time and that this would never interfere with my duties on base. One supervisor hated Christians and made it his mission to make life miserable. Everything he tried failed until it came time for my annual evaluations. He stated that “I was not a team player” which ended any chance for advancement. I was satisfied that the Lord was pleased and continued to serve. 4 years later I was offered and early retirement and retired with 18 years instead of the normal 20 years. Praise the Lord.
The point is simple:
Doing right is still right
We may not be exempt from persecution but the Lord is still on our side.
Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord because His path is still the right path even if it is lonely.
Acts4:4 “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.”
Men - generic for man of woman
Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Conclusion:
We need not fear what man may threaten or even do to us.
The goal in the life of the Child of God is to magnify the Lord and while the path may seem hard the end is pure Heaven.
Do you know Jesus?
Do you serve the Lord?
Don’t quit even when the path seems hard!
