“Acts 5: The Apostles in Prison”

Thursday, January 05, 2017

Acts 4 ended with the positive example of disciples who sold property and gave the money to the apostles to help their needy brothers and sisters. Not to be confused with forced, godless communism, this is a living model of willing, selfless sacrifice to benefit the less fortunate in the church.

Chapter 5 begins by showing us that there have always been those whose primary desire is to impress others. Ananias and Sapphira (husband and wife) also sold some land, gave part of the proceeds, but claimed to have given it all. God’s discipline was swift and severe, reminding us that lying is a serious sin.

Interestingly, although others hear of this event and are frightened by it, the church continues to grow (verses 11-14).

In response to the growth of the church, the apostles are arrested by the very Sanhedrin Council that had crucified Christ. An angel frees them from prison and tells them to continue speaking “all the words of this life.” The Council brings them in again and acknowledges that they have filled all of Jerusalem with the message of salvation.

When Peter again points out that they were guilty of murdering Jesus, the Council becomes so enraged that they determine to put the apostles to death.

We are then introduced to Gamaliel, a Jewish rabbi of great influence, who convinces them that other men had arisen, gained a following, and then quickly fallen. He then tells them to allow the apostles to continue their work so that it will either fail on its own or else the Council “even be found to fight against God.” (Remember that Gamaliel was the teacher of a young Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus – Acts 22:3 – who will later figure prominently in the gospel story.)

Finally, they decide to release the apostles with a severe beating and a threat to stop speaking of Jesus. The apostles leave rejoicing in the honor of suffering for Christ and continue their work of sharing the gospel with the lost. Nothing was going to stop them.

--Roger Hillis

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