Apostle Peter, Jesus etc
Lessons From Apostle Peter’s Address to the Sanhedrin
We have been conducting a book Bible Study, the Book of Acts. Today we conclude Acts Chapter Five Bible Study, our reference, Acts 5:33 – 42.
“When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took council to slay them,” Acts 5:34. What did Apostle Peter and the other Apostles say that warrant their death?
Let us return to the start of the conversation between the High Priest and the Apostles, but mainly the Apostle Peter, Acts 5:28. The Sanhedrin decided to murder the Apostles because of their reply (but specifically, Apostle Peter’s response) to, the High Priest’s statements.
Apostle Peter in his address to the Sanhedrin Council was responding to the High Priest’s (HP) statements, mainly:
HP- “Ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine,” Acts 5:28.
Apostle Peter – The Apostles will “obey God rather than“ the Sanhedrin, Acts 5:29.
HP – The Apostles, “intend to” to make us accountable for the death of Jesus Christ, Acts 5:28.
Apostle Peter – Jesus came from God and you crucified him. “We are witnesses” that you killed Jesus Christ, “and so is also the Holy Ghost,” Acts 5:32.
When Apostle Peter said the Holy Ghost can attest that the Jews killed Jesus this made the Sanhedrin mad. Recall, these are religious folks, by Peter’s statement they are now anti-God because they killed an innocent Messenger of God, Jesus.
Secondly, when Apostle Peter said, God gave the Holy Ghost “to them that obey him” by this statement, he made the Sanhedrin members disobedient to God, Acts 5:32. Simply put, if they had obeyed God they never would have killed his Messenger.
Summary – Apostle Peter’s Response to Sanhedrin
To summarize, by Apostle Peter’s response, the Sanhedrin and Israel are:
• Murderers of an innocent man and a Messenger (prophet) of God. The consequence of anyone who kills an innocent person is the land is cursed until the “blood guiltiness” of the land is removed. Only the blood of the guilty can remove this guilt. This is one reason Bin Laden’s death is justified.
• They opposed God and
• They are disobedient to God and
• They are without the Holy Ghost because of all these things that they have done.
This is what “cut” the Sanhedrin “to the heart”. True to Apostle Peter’s words, they instantly started to discuss their second murder, which had identical circumstances to Jesus’ murder. The Sanhedrin was planning to murder the Twelve Apostles.
The Apostles prayed to God for boldness to speak the Word of God, that was super bold of Apostle Peter. These are men with power to kill him and he knows it. The Lord answers the Apostles’ prayer and He is still in control.
Immediately, Dr. Gamaliel intervened on the Sanhedrin’s murder discussions, obviously, he was not a party to their evil assassination plans, Acts 5:34 – 40.
Lessons Learned From Dr. Gamaliel’s Advice – Spared Apostle Peter & Others From Death
• He cautions the Council to reconsider their plans to harm the Apostles, Acts 5:35. His argument is simple but profound.
• He said, the Council is uncertain whether God sent the Apostles, Acts 5:38 -39.
• Owing to their uncertainty, the Council should release the Apostles, Acts 5:38.
• If they are agents of God and the Council hurt them we will be “found even to fight against God,” Acts 5:39.
el gave two examples of leaders who had followers. The leaders were killed and all the followers “were scattered” and “dispersed.”
• Dr. Gamaliel cautioned further, if the Apostles’ speech or “counsel” “or work be of man it will” amount to nothing, Acts 5:38.
The implication: The leader of the Apostles (Jesus Christ) was killed but his followers – the disciples – are not scattered. Instead, the Apostles are united, focused, coherent, together, and purposeful. This feature of the disciples, as a whole and the Apostles in particular was what got the doctor’s attention. The disciples, but especially the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, are unlike the followers of Jesus’ two local predecessors.
There are similarities between Dr. Gamaliel’s speech and what the Apostle Peter said and or implied in his speech to the Sanhedrin. Dr.Gamaliel’s intervention prevented a repeat of all that Apostle Peter informed they were guilty of concerning Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ even utilizes opposition against his Kingdom to achieve his Kingdom’s purpose. Are you facing any opposition to your work in the Kingdom of Heaven? Learn from the Apostles, do what they did. They prayed and asked the Lord for specific assistance in identifiable areas. Pray and ask the Lord for what you need. Recall, like the Apostles, effective prayer must be in accordance with what the Holy Ghost wants you to do.
Pray, watch for your confirmation and proceed when the Lord gives the green light.
The Sanhedrin accepted Dr. Gamaliel’s reasoning concerning the planned murder of the Apostles, Acts 5:40.
However, the Sanhedrin moved their opposition to the Gospel to new heights for they beat the Apostles before releasing them, Acts 5:40. The Council’s plan to intimidate the Apostles is no longer verbal but both verbal and physical. Then, to reinforce their serious intentions, the Sanhedrin reiterated their verbal intimidation, the Apostles should not speak in the name of Jesus, Acts 5:40. This is a prelude to darker days for the Apostles.
Lessons From The Apostles’ Reaction to Physical & Verbal Abuse For the Name of Jesus
After physical and verbal abuse, the Sanhedrin released the Apostles according to Dr. Gamaliel’s advice, Acts 5:40.
What are the consequences?
The subsequent reactions to the Apostles to their trauma are anything but expected. The Bible tells us they left the Council “rejoicing”, happy and elated. This is unusual but they were not happy that they were flogged. Instead, they were “rejoicing” because “they were” seen “worthy to suffer shame” for the name of Jesus Christ, Acts 5:41.
Do you experience “shame” for the name of Jesus Christ? View it an honor that God has chosen you for that task.
Now do not confuse “suffer shame” and being “ashamed” they are too different situations. The former has nothing to do with your emotions. It is experience of hurt, pain of discomfort forced onto a Believer because of his fervent and yielding faith in the name of Jesus Christ.
Now, if this is not boldness nothing is; after imprisonments, arrests, several verbal abuse and physical abuse the Apostles, “daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ,” Acts 5:42. This is the quintessential demonstration of the fulfillment of the Apostles prayer. Apostle Peter was over come with joy.
Get Exclusive Updates. Enter Your Email Address.
{ 7 trackbacks }