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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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THE CHURCH’S
PROGRESS REPORT (Ac 5:12-26) 9/22/13 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. LUKE’S REPORT OF PROGRESS (12) A. Public Signs (12) 1. Contained in the book of Acts are
numerous progress reports (Ac 2:47; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; 28:30-31).
These inform the reader of the progressive condition of the early church.
They also bring understanding into the overall context of the historical
events that took place. 2. [12] Once again Luke relates the ongoing
ministry of “signs and wonders.” These signs and wonders were accomplished
“at the hands of the apostles.” So, God continued to give affirmation to the
apostles as His divine spokesmen. The divine miracles and divine message were
given especially to the Jewish people. 3. This was all taking place at Solomon’s
portico, where the early church was congregating (“all in one accord” - homothumadon - common consent and purpose) and
ministering (cf. Ac 3:11). B. Public Opinion (13) 1. [13] In reference to “none of the rest,”
it most likely denotes the rest of the general public. These individuals were
not “bold enough” (“dared” - etolma - not bold
enough to defy danger) to associate with the apostles. 2. What was it that they would have feared?
They were afraid of the persecution of the religious leaders which was
becoming more and more aggressive in opposition to the apostles. Some may
have even feared the discipline against sin, which was demonstrated with
Ananias and Sapphira (Ac 5:5-11). Yet overall the people held the apostles in
“high esteem” (megalunō - declare as
great). C. Public Outreach (14) 1. [14] Luke’s progress report shows that
the apostles and the church were fulfilling the major purpose for which they
met, namely evangelizing the public. 2. The results were astounding as more and
more came to the Lord as believers. In fact, Luke describes their number as a
plethora (plēthos
- great number or multitude) of people, both men and women. D. Public Healings (15-16) 1. [15] Because of the great esteem they had
for the apostles and their divine miracles, the people brought the sick out
into the streets. They brought them on “cots” (klinarion
- small couch or bed), referring to the upper class, and “mats” (krabattos - camp bed or mat) which referred
to the poorer classes. 2. So great was people’s esteem for the
apostles, that they thought that if Peter’s shadow would pass over them (ē
skia episiasē - “the
shadow overshadowed) they would be healed (cf. Jesus - Mk 5:28). The
Scripture does not say God healed people through Peter’s shadow, but the
people themselves held this belief. Even if this were true as in similar
cases (Lk 8:44; Ac 19:12), the power came not from these devises but from
God. 3. [16] In addition, people from outside
Jerusalem were carrying their sick to the apostles. The apostles also
manifested divine power to cast out demons (cf. Mt 10:1, 8), which was in
accord with the Lord’s earthly ministry (Mk 1:23-27; 5:1-13; Lk 4:36; 8:29;
9:42). II. IMPRISONMENT OF THE APOSTLES (17-18) A. [17] Leaving the marvelous progress
report, Luke records the response of the religious leaders. Even though the
Council of the Sanhedrin was in view, it was the high priest and the
Sadducees who had the controlling power at that time. Though the Pharisees were
present, their voice was minimal. B. The high priest (Annas or Caiaphas) “rose
up” in opposition to the growing Christian presence. Luke reveals that their
motive for opposition was their “jealously” (zēlos
- good sense - zeal; bad sense - jealousy). Acts makes jealously toward
the apostles a continuing motivation for the Jewish leaders against the
church (Ac 5:17; 13:45; 17:5). C. [18] Though not the first imprisonment (Ac
4:3), it would prove to be one of many such imprisonments for the apostles
(Ac 12:4-6; 16:23; 25:14; 27:1; 28:17). They placed them all in a “public
jail” (tērsei dēmosia) for
detention until trial the next day. III. FIRST MIRACULOUS RELEASE (19-20) A. [19] We do however, come to the apostles’
first of three miraculous releases (Ac 5:19; 12:7; 16:26). One commentary
writes, “After all the miracles they had seen, it is hard to understand how
they felt prison bars would restrain the power of God.” B. Though skeptics have denied the divine
element of the apostles’ release, Luke wrote that an “angel of the Lord” (not
The Angel of the Lord) opened the doors of the prison (cf. Ac 12:7). This
must be viewed as historical just as much (not to mention God’s infallible
word) as the empty cell and the perplexity of the religious leaders. C. [20] Furthermore, the reliability is
heightened when the angel sends them not to safety, but back in the midst of
the temple. D. Whether in good season or bad season
(persecution), the divine commission of evangelism never changes (“Go, stand and speak to the people …the whole message
of this Life, Php 2:16; 1Jn 1:1-4). IV. PERPLEXITY OF THE SANHEDRIN (21-24) A. [21] In accordance with the words of the
angel, the apostles arrived at the temple at dawn. B. When the high priest arrived, he called
for the entire Sanhedrin (Senate). Obviously, matters had become serious for
them concerning the growth of Christianity and they wanted this trial to
stifle it. So, they sent for the apostles. C. [22-24] When the officers went for the
apostles, they did not find them in the prison. They reported to the
Sanhedrin that though the jail was “locked securely” (perfect passive - kleiō - shut or lock) and the guards were
standing guard, the apostles were missing. At this point, the temple captain
and the chief priests were “perplexed” (diaporeō
- mentally and thoroughly perplexed, utterly at a loss, bewildered) about
these events and how it would end. Luke recorded the divine irony. The guards
were guarding an empty jail because the prisoners were missing. Yet the
apostles were not missing but out in plain sight. The Sanhedrin was calling
the shots, yet they had no clue what was happening or how it would end. V. REARREST OF THE APOSTLES (25-26) A. [25] We do not know who, but someone
reported that the apostles were in the temple teaching. The fact that they
were “standing in the temple and teaching” shows that the apostles were
carrying out their divine commission regardless of opposition. In addition,
it shows that God was in charge and not the religious leaders. B. [26] With that notice, the captain and
officers apprehended the apostles and brought them to the Council. However,
the captain and officers feared “violence” (bia
- physical strength or force) from the people because of their growing
interest in the apostles’ message. In fact, the great esteem for the apostles
was so high that the captain and officers feared being stoned by the people.
Christianity had begun to take hold to the dismay of the religious leaders. VI. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS - Today’s
Church Progress Report A. Overall? - In some cases falling
(1Ti 4:1-3), in others being built (Mt 16:18). B. Use of spiritual gifts? In some
cases non-existent or abused (1Co 12:29-30), in others used for edification
(1Co 12:7). C. Commitment to the church? In some
cases separated (2Ti 4:10), in others all in one accord (Ac 2:42). D. Personal evangelism? In some cases
confusion on the message (Gal 1:8-9) in others effective (Ro 1:16). E. Public opinion? In some cases no
opposition (Lk 6:26), in others justified opposition (1Pe 3:17), still others
misguided opposition against those fulfilling its divine commission (1Pe
4:19). |
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