A Spirit Filled Response To Authority

Acts 5:17-26

While attending a secular college, I had to take a philosophy course. The teacher’s focus was clearly to convince us that atheism was the only intelligent belief. We were required to read articles by a large number of different writers making it clear why they were atheists. I was shocked to learn that over half of those writers were considered Theologians in various religious groups. We were required to read a biography of one of them as one of the greatest missionaries of all times, and others were occasionally quoted in theology classes. I wonder if the Bible College professors had really read the theologians’ books, or just selected quotations.

To deliberately pose as a religious leader while denying any of it is, in my opinion one of the ultimate evils, because it is a deliberate effort to mislead people about their eternal future, yet many religious leaders have done just that. How can a man be a good man and knowingly lie and cheat? There were two main groups in Israel, the Pharisees, who zealously believed and practiced the old Jewish religion, and the Sadducees, who believed none of it, only viewing the religion as a tool for cultural unity. Acts 23:8 describes the different beliefs. “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.”

While both groups worked together to lead and direct eh nation, the Sadducees appear to have taken over the highest offices in the Jewish religion. While the Pharisees were opposed to the Christian belief, it was very similar to the Pharisees‘ belief. If Christianity grew, it could well upset the balance of power in favor of the Pharisees.

“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, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.” (Acts 5:17-18)

The imprisonment was a typical attempt to discredit the Apostles. While some cultures, such as organized crime of the gang culture look on imprisonment as a mark of honor, most people view it as an indication of bad moral behavior. By imprisoning the apostles the Chief priests and Sadducees hoped to weaken their influence, and thus preserve the balance of power.

“But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 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.” (Acts 5:19-21)

The miracle God performed to free the apostles was very low key. The disciples did not plan a jailbreak, they just trusted God to do what was right. There doesn’t even appear to have been an all night prayer vigil. The angel just opened the doors, and told them to go preach in the temple the next morning. Because it was so quiet, even the guards had no idea the prisoners were gone and didn’t report it. The leaders knew nothing a bout it until they were ready to have a hearing.

“But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 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. 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 5:22-24)

For a group of Agnostics who have chosen not to believe in miracles and spiritual things, this was a serious setback. They had spent a great deal of effort trying unsuccessfully conceal Jesus’ resurrection, because they knew that most of the people believed in religious matters, forcing them to work with the Pharisees to retain their power. How will they be able to spin this in their favor?

“Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.” (Acts 5:25-26)

It would be impossible to cover up the escape since the apostles went publicly to the temple. Worse, from the Sadducees point of view, it supported the belief in a God they were trying to deny, and the people believed it. To come down hard on them might trigger a riot. They had to approach the matter cautiously.

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 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 5:27-28)

The priests had commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and Deuteronomy 17:12 commanded, “And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.” The apostles have clearly disobeyed their command, spreading this teaching throughout Jerusalem, and what is really upsetting, they seem determined to blame the priests and religious leaders for the crucifixion. The chief priests’ attitudes were the same as the pastors of today, who quote Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you,” to pressure people to follow their standards or instructions.

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

When forced to choose between what God says and the authorities orders, our responsibility is to obey God. No one has authority to countermand or override God’s command. They have exceeded their authority in setting their own standards and rules. We are personally responsible to God for our actions, and Spirit filled people will not blindly follow the crowd. It makes them unpopular with ungodly leaders.

As far as the apostles making the religious leaders look bad, It was God, not the apostles who made Jesus to be Messiah, not the apostles, they were just witnesses of what happened, as is the Holy Spirit. It was the leaders own actions that made them guilty, not the statements of the apostles.

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 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. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.” (Acts 5:30-32)

Throughout history, people have tried to destroy those who force them to recognize their guilt. Humans do not like admitting being wrong. Rather than repenting of our sin, we tend to attack the thing that reveals it. The Sadducees were no exception.