The high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests COMMANDED THE DISCIPLES to STOP PREACHING JESUS, “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN.” (Acts 5:29)
Just the night before, “…the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him, and laid their hands on the apostles and PUT THEM IN THE COMMON PRISON. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and BROUGHT THEM OUT, and said, “Go, stand in the temple and SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LIFE (the eternal life Christ offers).” (Acts 5:17-20)
So, when they went to get the apostles out of prison they came back and declared, “…we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside; but when we opened them, we found no one inside “Now when the high priest, the captain, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are STANDING IN THE TEMPLE AND TEACHING THE PEOPLE!” (Acts 5:24-25) So, they had the guards go gather these men and brought them before the council, 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!” But Peter (the same Peter who earlier said, 3 times “I do not know Jesus”) and the other apostles answered and said: “WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom YOU MURDERED by hanging on a tree.” (Acts 5:28-30)
“When they heard this, they were furious and PLOTTED TO KILL THEM.” (Acts 5:33) Then a Pharisee named Gamaliel, held in respect by all the people, commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. He said, “I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but IF IT IS OF GOD, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found TO FIGHT AGAINST GOD.” And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go.” (Acts 5:38-40)
SO, THE DISCIPLES WENT OUT AND PREACHED, HEALED AND CAST OUT DEVILS, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS CAME TO CHRIST!!! WHAT ARE WE DOING TODAY?
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham