OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN

Newsletter 245 May 29, 2011

Acts 5:17-32 (King James Version)

ARRESTED WITHOUT CHARGE

Yes, it can happen even today. Soon, following the establishment of Christ’s church on the first Pentecost after his resurrection, the apostles were still preaching, this good news, actually in the temple compound in Jerusalem. It is not surprising that the temple authorities protested and they were arrested and thrown into prison.

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, (Acts 15:5, Matthew 3:7, Acts 4:1)

18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. (Acts 4:3)

GOD RELEASES AND COMMANDS

God intervened. The temple was built and dedicated to be God’s home in Jerusalem. In it, the Ark of the Covenant represented His presence. To this day, I was told, Orthodox Jews will not walk about on the temple mount, lest they accidentally walk over the site where Holy of Holies was situated.

God releases the apostles, and sends them back to His temple to preach the Good News of salvation.

19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, (Matthew 1:20, Matthew 1:24, Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:19, Matthew 28:2, Luke 1:11, Luke 2:9, Acts 8:26, Acts 10:3, Acts 12:7, Acts 12:23, Acts 32:23)

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. (John 6:63, John 6:68)

21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. (John 8:2, Acts 3:6, Matthew 5:22, Acts 5:27, Acts 5:34, Acts 5:41)

22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told, (Matthew 26:58, Acts 5:26)

THEIR CELL IS EMPTY

The guards, being sent by the temple authorities, found the cell where the had been held prisoners, to be empty, even though the keepers were still on duty in front of the locked doors. They were still bewildered how this could be when it was reported to them that these same prisoners were back preaching right where they were when they were arrested.

23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. (Acts 4:1, Acts 5:26)

THE PRISONERS ARE PREACHING IN THE TEMPLE

What was the Sanhedrin to do? They represented Jewish law, and the temple was their responsibility. The people wished to hear what was being preached, so they were afraid to interfere openly. Instead, they, shall we say invited them to come to the Senate. But, in the privacy of the Senate the conversation became forceful.

25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. (Acts 5:24, Acts 5:22, Acts 4:21, Acts 5:13)

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, (Matthew 5:22, Acts 5:21, Acts 5:34, Acts 5:41)

Did we not “straitly command you?” To this they added the charge that thy were holding the Senate responsible for Christ’s death.

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. (Acts 4:18, Matthew 23:35, Matthew 27:25, Acts 2:23, Acts 2:36, Acts 3:14, Acts 7:52)

GOD HAD COMMANDED THIS

Peter spoke for all the apostles when he said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.“

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 4:19)

Then Peter adds the reasons for this statement. This Senate was responsible for Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion, but God responded by his Resurrection and the establishment of the church, the fulfillment of the prophecies they were claiming the right to interpret to their own benefit.

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. (Acts 3:13, Acts 2:24, Acts 10:39, Acts 13:29, Galatians 3:13, 1 Peter 2:24)

God exaulted Jesus to be the “King of King and the Lord of Lords’” to whom every earthly authority is ultimately responsible. He gave the gift of the Spirit to these and all Christians as witness of the truth of their words.

31 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. (Acts 2:31, Acts 3:15, Luke 2:11, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38)

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. (Luke 24:48, Acts 15:26, Acts 15:28, Romans 8:15, Hebrews 2:4)

God sent them to the temple, but all Christians to the whole world. The fact is clear. Jesus has all power. Satan and his will answer to Christ when he returns, as are all Christians. (Matthew 28:18,19, Mark 16:15,16)

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MAY

29th. Sunday – 1 Samuel 26, 27, John 19:23-42, Psalm 68:14-19
30th. Monday – 1 Samuel 28, 29, John 20, Psalm 68:20-27
31st. Tuesday – 1 Samuel 30, 31, John 21, Psalm 68:28-35

JUNE
1st. Wednesday - 2 Samuel 1, 2, Acts 1, Proverbs 14:1-9
2nd. Thursday - 2 Samuel 3, Acts 2, Psalm 69:1-12
3rd. Friday – 2 Samuel 4, 5, Acts 3, Psalm 9:13-28
4th. Saturday - 2 Samuel 6, 7, Acts 4, Psalm 69:29-36

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12

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SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

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I Don't Wanna Work...

1. My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned. I couldn't concentrate.

2. Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the axe.

3. After that, I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it - mainly because it was a sew-sew job.

4. Next, I tried working in a muffler factory, but that was too exhausting.

5. Then, I tried to be a chef - figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn't have the thyme.

6. I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it I couldn't cut the mustard.

7. My best job was a musician, but eventually I found I wasn't noteworthy.

8. I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn't have any patience.

9. Next, was a job in a shoe factory. I tried but I just didn't fit in.

10. I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn't live on my net income.

11. I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining.

12. So then I got a job in a workout center, but they said I wasn't fit for the job.

13. After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a historian - until I realized there was no future in it.

14. My last job was working in Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind.

15. SO, I TRIED RETIREMENT AND FOUND THAT I'M PERFECT FOR THE JOB!