Unexpected Advice
Acts 5:29-42
Does the LORD ever use non-believers or pagan people to speak truth or accomplish His will?
In the Old Testament prophecy of Habakkuk, the LORD said He would use Babylon, which was a “ruthless” and “dreaded” nation, to achieve His purposes and correct Israel.
The LORD is not the author of sin, and He doesn’t create evil; however, He does work things out for good, and sometimes, He uses an evil situation or an evil person to accomplish His will.
James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. NKJV
The LORD’s sovereignty can be a difficult truth to process because at times, He uses miracles to change a situation, but at other times, He works in ways we don’t understand.
Please open your Bibles to Acts 5.
Last time, in the Book of Acts, we studied how miracles happened as an answer to the early Christian's prayers, as the Church was keeping the main thing, the main thing.
The Sadducees were slow to learn, and they were so hard-hearted that they did not recognize the LORD’s hand at work.
Peter told them he was given a job to do by Jesus, and he was not going to let their threats stop him from following the plan.
We ended the sermon talking about some things in our lives that can cause spiritual cataracts.
We need to keep short accounts with Jesus and make sure we are surrendered to His Spirit so we can see things with His eyes.
We read “And believers were increasingly added to the Lord.”
Even though some people were apprehensive about following Christ after the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, the church kept growing, even though being a Christ-follower was costly.
Today, we will hear Peter’s defense to the religious leaders, and we will also see how the LORD allowed a non-believer to speak truth, even when he probably didn’t realize he was doing it.
I. Peter’s defense.
Read Acts 5:29-32
Last time, the Apostles were set before the council with an attempt to intimidate them and stop them from preaching about Jesus.
Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,
Acts 5:28 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!"
In Acts 5, it seems the religious leaders were accusing the Apostles of two things: disobedience to the Sanhedrin and trying to blame them for the murder of Jesus Christ.
Here, in our passage, Peter stood up as the spokesman for the Apostles and gave a defense to the charges.
1. The charge of disobedience of the religious leaders.
Peter pleaded guilty to the first charge from these leaders.
Notice, “We ought to obey God rather than men”. When the angel broke them out of prison in Acts 5:19-20, the angel told the Apostles to go out and preach the Gospel.
Peter’s first defense is similar to how he answered in Acts 4:19.
Acts 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." NKJV
The religious leaders were concerned with man’s opinion not the LORD’s and they were constantly afraid of the majority of the people overthrowing their authority.
Believers are to obey the law of the land, except when those laws directly contradict the Word of God. Peter and John were compelled to speak about the things they had seen and heard.
2. The charge of accusing the Sanhedrin of killing Jesus.
First, let’s talk about who raised Jesus from the dead because Acts 5:30 says, “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus.”
The Greek word “God” in Acts 5:30 is Theos, referencing the Godhead, the trinity according to Strong’s G2316.
God the Father raised Jesus to life: Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead).
God the Spirit raised Jesus to life. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. NKJV
Jesus raised Himself to life: John 2:19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." NKJV
All 3 members of the Trinity raised Jesus; who killed Jesus?
1. The Jewish Sanhedrin was responsible for the death of Christ.
Notice in Acts 5:30 Peter told these leaders, “Whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.”
2. Judas was responsible for the death of Christ because his betrayal led to Jesus's arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
Matthew 17:22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, NKJV
3. All of the unbelieving Jews were responsible for the death of Christ.
Matthew 27:22 Pilate said to them (Jewish people), "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" NKJV
4. Pilate was responsible for the death of Christ, since he ordered his crucifixion, a form of capital punishment.
Matthew 27:26 Then he (Pilate) released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. NKJV
5. The Roman leadership was responsible for the death of Christ.
Matthew 27:35 Then they (Roman soldiers) crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots. NKJV
6. Every person ever born is responsible for the death of Christ, since we are all born in natural sin, and we all sin.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, NKJV
7. The Godhead allowed the death of Christ.
Acts 2:23 Him (Jesus), being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death.
Acts 2:24 whom God (Theos) raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. NKJV
Jesus said in John 10:17, "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
John 10:18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." NKJV
Notice what Peter said in Acts 5:32, We are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit.
This testimony was based on eyewitness testimony and was confirmed by the Holy Spirit, so we know it is credible.
II. Angry with the truth.
Read Acts 5:33
“Don’t confuse me with the facts, I’ve got my mind made up.”
It didn’t matter how much truth these religious leaders received; they would not believe the Gospel message.
Peter told them the truth about Jesus, and in vs. 31, he told them that Jesus, the Prince and Savior, desired to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
There are usually three reactions when people are told about their need to repent and receive Jesus.
People will either become convicted, repent, and receive Christ, or they will rebel, or the worst reaction is to become apathetic to the truth about their sin and Christ’s offer of forgiveness.
This passage shows us that we cannot argue, convince, or beg someone into the kingdom. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, convince, and draw people to Jesus.
As Christians, we are called to share the Gospel and leave the results to the LORD.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6, I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. NKJV
The Sanhedrin was so mad that they plotted to kill them.
At this time in history, the death of the Apostles was set in motion, even though it wouldn’t happen for some time.
III. A teacher’s reasoning.
Read Acts 5:34-39
Gamaliel’s grandfather founded Israel’s strongest school of religion, and according to the Mishna, Gamaliel was considered a Rabban, not just a rabbi; which means a teacher of teachers.
After his conversion, the Apostle Paul revealed that he was previously schooled by this famous Rabban.
Acts 22:3 "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. NKJV
This man was very respected and learned. He was a Pharisee, and he was speaking to the entire body of the Sanhedrin, made up of Pharisees, Sadducees, priests and Scribes.
After the Apostles were removed from the assembly, Gamaliel advised the council to be cautious about what they decided to do to these men, as the decision could backfire on them.
Before Christ appeared on the scene, many individuals claimed to be the Messiah, mainly because the Jewish people were anticipating the arrival of the promised Messiah.
Many different people rose to prominence, claiming to be the Messiah, an important prophet, or even royalty.
There were several groups of insurrectionists, thieves, or revolutionaries who rose against the Roman government at this time in history.
These men were either killed by Rome or fizzled out and never amounted to much of anything.
There was a man named Theudas (Thee-u-dus) who claimed to be somebody, rose to fame before the time of Christ, and four hundred men followed him.
The suggestion was to stay away from these followers of Christ to determine whether or not they were sent from the LORD.
Gamaliel suggested that the Sanhedrin wait and see if Jesus and the Apostles were really sent from God, as if all the fulfillment of prophecy, that they had witnessed, was not enough.
Notice what was said, “If it is of God, you cannot overthrow it–lest you even be found to fight against God.”
If the LORD was the power behind this movement, these religious leaders would not be able to suppress it, but if it was through the power of man, it will fizzle out as well.
Notice the final statement, “Lest you even be found to fight against God."
The folly of fighting against someone stronger than myself sounds reckless at least.
But the folly of choosing to fight against the all-powerful, all-knowing Creator God of the Universe goes beyond unthinkable, and is actually laughable.
Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” NKJV
The LORD God has no equal and will always be victorious, even if the enemy thinks he is winning in the short term.
The LORD said in Isaiah 46:5, "To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal and compare Me, that we should be alike? NKJV
Gamaliel’s suggestion was seen as a good compromise.
Even though he was not saved, many believe the LORD used this non-believer to speak truth to these religious leaders.
IV. Advice partially heeded.
Read Acts 5:40-42
The advice was to let the Apostles alone and see what would happen to them and their teaching about Jesus.
The religious leaders partially listened to the advice and didn’t kill the Apostles or leave them incarcerated. However, they had them brought back in before the council and had them beaten.
Beaten can also be translated as skinned.
The beating the Apostles received was 40 lashes minus one, where the skin would be torn from the flogging.
"Thirty-nine stripes" were given as a form of corporal punishment because of Jewish law and custom.
"Forty stripes minus one" was used to avoid exceeding the maximum punishment allowed by Deuteronomy 25:3.
R. Kent Hughes said, “Because of Gamaliel’s rational entreaty, a compromise was reached, and the apostles were let off easy—easy, that is, if we think thirty-nine stripes is easy.” (Hughes)
Matthew 10:21 "Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
Matthew 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. NKJV
After the brutal beating, the leaders warned the Apostles again to stop preaching about Jesus and then let them go. But notice how these men reacted to the injustice they had received.
Notice, “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing.”
The word used in Acts 5:41, for rejoicing, means to be cheerful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off, or to rejoice exceedingly.
The Apostles exceedingly rejoiced, because they were counted worthy to be skinned and scourged for their faith in Christ.
Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, NKJV
Wiersbe said, "Our values determine our evaluations. If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us.
If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to “count it all joy.”
If we live only for the present and forget the future, then trials will make us bitter, not better. So, when trials come, immediately give thanks to the Lord and adopt a joyful attitude.
“Do not pretend; do not try self-hypnosis; simply look at trials through the eyes of faith. Outlook determines outcome; to end with joy, begin with joy." (Wiersbe)
Paul said in Romans 5:3, we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
Romans 5:4 and perseverance, character, and character, hope.
Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. NKJV
Notice the final result of their behavior after the council…
Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. NKJV
The Church continued growing because they followed the vision the LORD gave them to reach more people, and they didn’t shrink back from following Him.
V. Practical Application.
An unbeliever advised the religious leaders, which proved the validity of the Apostle's ministry and the power of the Spirit.
After the brutal beating, the leaders warned the Apostles again to stop preaching about Jesus and then let them go. But notice how these men reacted to the injustice they had received.
“So, they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing.”
The Apostles exceedingly rejoiced, because they were counted worthy to be skinned and scourged for their faith in Christ.
When trials come, immediately give thanks to the Lord and adopt a joyful attitude. Christians will suffer persecution and outlook determines outcome; to end with joy, begin with joy.
There is a story of a little boy who was playing outdoors and found a caterpillar, so he got a large jar for the caterpillar and put plants to eat, and a stick to climb on, in the jar.
One day the caterpillar climbed up the stick and started to go through a metamorphosis and become a butterfly.
Soon it happened, a small hole appeared in the cocoon and the butterfly started to struggle to come out. The butterfly was struggling hard to get out! It looked like it couldn’t break free!
The boy was so concerned that he ran to get scissors.
He snipped the cocoon to make the hole bigger, and the butterfly quickly emerged!
As the butterfly came out, the boy was surprised. It had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.
The butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly…
As the boy tried to figure out what had gone wrong, his mother took him to talk to a scientist from a local college.
He learned that the butterfly was SUPPOSED to struggle.
The butterfly’s struggle to push its way through the tiny opening of the cocoon pushes the fluid out of its body and into its wings.
Without the struggle, the butterfly would never, ever fly. The boy’s good intentions hurt the butterfly.
As you go through life, keep in mind that struggling is an important part of any growth experience.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
2 Corinthians 4:18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. NKJV
The two main points to take home today are:
1. The LORD’s sovereignty can be difficult to process because, at times, He uses miracles to change a situation.
At other times, He works in ways we don’t understand, even using an unbeliever to deliver a message. So, test all things!!!
1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. NKJV
2. The LORD allows His children to go through trials to teach us perseverance, obedience, how to comfort others, and how to have a deeper fellowship with Jesus.
If we suffer persecution, we are to count it as all joy because it will make us grow and reach others for Christ.
The Early Church would not have been persecuted if it had downgraded Jesus Christ, but they stood for the truth.
When you are persecuted, be submissive. Yield yourself to the control of the Holy Spirit and boldly use the opportunities you have been given to preach the gospel.
As you go through life, keep in mind that struggling is an important part of any growth experience.
• Find the LORD and listen to His voice in the trial
• Persevere in the trial
• Obey and grow in the trial
• Rejoice in the trial
Test all things and hold fast. The LORD will speak and be with us until the end of the age!
