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The Apostles Rejoice in Suffering

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Chris Sicks
September 17, 2023

Sermon Manuscript

The Apostles Rejoice in Suffering


Acts 5:12-42
Pastor Chris Sicks
Sermon September 17, 2023

Today we will continue our series through the book of Acts.
We will see how the Holy Spirit continued to fill the apostles with wisdom and courage to preach the gospel in a hostile environment.
And we will see why religious leaders in Jerusalem tried so hard to silence the apostles.
I’m going to break up today’s long passage in a few chunks.
Listen now to Acts 5:12-26.

12 “The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people.
And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.

13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.
14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.
16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.
18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.
20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin–
the full assembly of the elders of Israel–
and sent to the jail for the apostles.

22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there.
So they went back and reported,

23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors;
but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”

24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Then someone came and said:
“Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”

26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles.
They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.


We will look at the rest of chapter 5 in a few minutes.
But first let’s pray that God will give us understanding from his word today.
Heavenly Father, sometimes when we read these reports about what happened 2000 years ago, we wonder:
Does this have anything to do with me today?
But your Word is alive, and eternally true, with things we need today.
Please fill us, Holy Spirit, with understanding and gospel hope.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

I see five questions in today’s text, so this will be our outline:
1. Joy or Jealousy?
2. Fear or Courage?
3. Obey Man or Obey God?
4. Blindness or Repentance?
5. Shame or Honor?

Question 1: Joy or Jealousy?


As we have been studying Acts, we see big things happening in Jerusalem.
Many people are being healed.
Sinners are trusting in the name of Jesus, and experiencing new life.
Believers are sharing their resources, even selling homes to help their needy brothers and sisters.
There is a lot of joy in Jerusalem!
But not everyone is celebrating.
Look again at verse 17:
17 “Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.”

The Sadducees were the theological liberals of that time, skeptical of anything supernatural.
The Sadducees cooperated with the Roman government, so they could retain their position and power.
That’s why these religious leaders are not excited about the wonderful things happening in Jerusalem.
They are skeptical and jealous about anything done in the name of Jesus.
The jealousy of the Sanhedrin was also blended with fear.
That’s why we read in verse 18:
18 “They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.”

Question 2: Fear or Courage?


Why are the apostles being treated like criminals?
They aren’t rebels leading a revolt against Rome, or against the religious authorities.
The apostles wanted the Sanhedrin to understand that Jesus was the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Old Testament.
They weren’t trying to start a new religion.
I’m reminded of Martin Luther, who tried to reform the Roman Catholic Church 500 years ago.
Luther wasn’t a rebel, he wanted to help the religious leaders see biblical truth.
But the leaders of the Catholic Church were afraid they would lose influence and power.
They put Luther in prison, and tried to silence him with violence–
just as we see in today’s text.
The Sadducees used violence because they were afraid.
The Captain of the Temple Guard was also afraid, as we see in verses 25-26:
25 “Then someone came and said:
“Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”

26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles.
They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.”


I have sympathy for the temple security forces.
They see large crowds full of energy.
They don’t know what is happening, and that always makes security people nervous.
But never in the New Testament do we see God’s people respond to persecution with violence.
The early Christians were put in prison, beaten, and even killed.
But they never responded to violence with violence.
Instead the apostles demonstrated incredible courage.
After an angel set them free, the apostles left prison and went straight back to preaching at the temple.
They continued the same activity that put them in prison the day before!
My friends, if you place your hope of security in money, reputation, or physical safety, then you will live a life of fear.
You will respond with anger or even violence when someone threatens your source of security.
But everything changes when you discover that the King of the Universe is your Father who loves you.
Faith in Jesus Christ makes you a prince or princess, with a perfect reputation before God, and the guarantee of eternal life.
That knowledge was the source of the apostles’ courage.
Before we look at the next portion of today’s passage, I want to read something Jesus said.
The things we see in today’s passage were predicted by Jesus in Luke 21:12–15.
12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you.
They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.

13 And so you will bear testimony to me.
14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.
15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”
With those words in your mind, listen to what happened in Acts 5:27-33.

27 “The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.
28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said.
“Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

29 Peter and the other apostles replied:
“We must obey God rather than human beings!

30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead–
whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.

31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.
32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.”

Question 3: Obey Man or Obey God?


What do you think verse 29 means:
29 “Peter and the other apostles replied:
“We must obey God rather than human beings!”


If you are late to church, is it okay to drive through a red light?
Of course not.
Is it okay to bomb an abortion clinic?
No, it is not.
Peter is not saying we can disobey human authority whenever we feel like it.
Listen to what Peter himself wrote years later:
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men:
whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him…” (1 Peter 2:13–14a)
Peter is saying that when we obey human authorities established by God, we are obeying God.
The only time we can disobey human authorities is when they tell us to disobey God.
For more guidance you can look at examples of disobedience in the Bible.
Read about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon.
Read about Esther, and Daniel, and the apostles here in Acts.
They disobeyed men so that they could obey God, in worship, in prayer, helping people, and preaching truth.

I’m sure the Sanhedrin were confused by all this.
They thought they were obeying God.
They thought Jesus was a heretic, and his followers needed to be stopped.
How can you know if you are working for or against God?
You must prayerfully consider your motives and your methods.
We see the ungodly motives of the Sanhedrin in this passage:
jealousy, fear, anger, selfishness, pride.
And their violent methods are also ungodly.
The apostles, on the other hand, are motivated by love for God and love for neighbor.
What are their methods?
Helping, healing, and preaching.
If you are wondering whether you are on God’s side on a particular issue, consider your motives and your methods.

Question 4: Blindness or Repentance?


The High Priest told the apostles in verse 28b:
28b “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
The irony of this statement is that the High Priest and the Sanhedrin WERE guilty of Christ’s blood.
They brought Jesus to trial, and declared that an innocent man was guilty.
The Sanhedrin didn’t want to hear any more about Jesus, because it reminded them of their guilt.
But the apostles continued preaching, in front of the same men who told them to stop!
The apostles have gospel-fueled courage, and a gospel message to share.
Notice the four points of the gospel in verses 30-32:
Point 1: Jesus is the one 30b “whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.”
Point 2: But 30a “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead–”
Point 3: Then 31a “God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior”
Point 4: 31b: “that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.”

The apostles preached this gospel message directly to the Sanhedrin, because they wanted to see God bring them to repentance.
Why do they respond with jealousy, anger, and violence–
instead of responding in faith?
Because they are blind to their own neediness.
In John 9, we read about a blind man who was healed by Jesus.
Jesus revealed to the man that he was the Messiah.
Listen to what happened next, in John 9:38–41.
38 “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said.
And he worshiped Jesus.

39 Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment–
to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”

40 Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?”
41 “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied.
“But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.”


The Sanhedrin could not receive the gospel, because they didn’t think they needed a Savior.
Jesus can only save people who know they need help.
How about you?
Have you been honest with yourself about your brokenness, about your sin?
Or are you trusting in something here on earth for your security?
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see your heart clearly, and then to see your Savior.
Jesus is the only hope for sinners, and he is ready to receive and forgive you.
Now I’m going to read the last portion of today’s text, to see how the Sanhedrin responded to the gospel message they heard from the apostles.
Acts 5:34-42 says:
34 “But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people,
stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.

35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin:
“Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.

36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him.
He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt.
He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.

38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you:
Leave these men alone!
Let them go!
For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.

39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
40 His speech persuaded them.
They called the apostles in and had them flogged.
Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”

The Sanhedrin wanted to kill the apostles, but one of their most-respected leaders changed their minds.
However, they again commanded the apostles to stop preaching about Jesus.
To underline their command, they had the apostles flogged.
The apostles were whipped dozens of times, until their backs were bleeding with deep wounds.
Flogging was a terrible and painful experience.
It was used to punish criminals, and to shame them.
That brings us to our final question:

Question 5: Shame or Honor?


The reason people were flogged in public was to make them feel shame, and to warn everyone watching.
Crucifixion served the same purposes, to punish, shame, and warn.
But the apostles preached publicly about their crucified Savior, which sounded very strange in the ears of the Sanhedrin.
And then they watched the apostles rejoice after being flogged.
The Christians celebrated their shameful punishment!
The Sanhedrin did not understand the upside-down nature of the gospel.
It’s expressed well in Hebrews 12:2–3.
2 “Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Jesus endured the cross and shamed the shame.
Today Christians wear this symbol of torture and execution as a necklace.
We hang it prominently in our churches.
Why?
The gospel turned the motives of sinful men upside down.
Jesus often called his crucifixion his hour of glory.
That makes zero sense to unbelievers.
But Christians who are saved by the cross understand it.
Our guilt and shame were killed on the cross.
When Jesus was resurrected, the cross became a symbol of glory and victory over sin.
When the apostles were flogged, they rejoiced because it confirmed they were acting in God’s will.
They had been so closely identified with Jesus that they were beaten in public, just like their Savior.
Today, Christ followers around the world continue to suffer persecution at the hands of violent men.
Men who use violence to maintain their position and power.
Let’s end by praying specifically for our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the apostles and their example of faith and courage.
Your servants today also need faith and courage.
Please pour out your Spirit on persecuted Christians around the world.
Remind them that one day you will judge and punish all of your enemies.
And you will reward those who suffered shame for your name.
We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.


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