Sunday 4-13-08- Freed to Proclaim

Acts 5:12-21a

12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. 14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, 15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. 16 Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

17 Imprisonment and Release

But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20 "Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life." 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach.

NASU

Acts 5:12-21a Exposition

12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico.

God continued to bless the Apostles with the power through the Holy Spirit to prove the gospel they proclaimed with “many signs and wonders” These were done publicly so that they began to draw both positive and negative attention as we shall see. Meanwhile the believers were “in one accord” and continuing to meet together publicly in the section of the temple known as Solomon's portico. This was where Jesus in John 10:23 and following was when he declared “I and the Father are one.” It is also where Peter had delivered his second sermon. The word for “one accord” can mean one passion, and associate with breathing hard. There may be an intentional connection between breath and the common analogy of the Spirit as wind or breath, yet the word (homothumadon) is adequately translated “one accord, or in agreement. Certainly the work of the Spirit drew them together into agreement and gave them a passionate sort of unity that allowed the church to grow so rapidly. We likewise should ask for the Spirit to give us unity of Passion for Jesus and His Gospel. It is obvious that this sort of unity is not accomplished by a watered down, least common denominator message designed not to offend. If it were it would not have aroused the passionate responses from friends and foes alike.

13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.

Lukewarmness and compromise belonged on the outside of the group of believers among those who were afraid for their reputation or indeed their safety's sake to associate with the believers. Yet the conduct of the growing church led none to declare them scandalous.

14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,

As a result more and more people came to believe and join with the church. The means of growth seems to be a passionate unity, and the power of the Spirit. This by no means discounts the clear preaching of the gospel which we have seen undergirds all of the apostles' actions and indeed in their prayer at the end of chapter four provided the reason for their desire for the Spirit's power and boldness.

15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them.

Here we see a couple of developments. The church begins to be a place where people come to receive help. Also those on the outside begin to associate the power with the person of Peter as though it was association with him that could heal them. The world misunderstands Christian leaders sometimes making them celebrities and assuming of them more power than they themselves have. Not understanding the Spirit they look to the men themselves. Positively, it is this interest in coming to the church for help that provides the believers and especially the apostles the opportunity to proclaim the gospel to them.

16 Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

Notice the church does not turn them away but does what it is able for them, not judging their motives, but caring for those who were indeed in one way or another “afflicted” and healing them. So also we should do what the Spirit empowers us, either naturally or even supernaturally, to do for those who come to us. This means using the resources at our disposal, and always prayer, to help those who come to us in need.

17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy.

Now arises certain men whose worldly and religious power is threatened by this new movement. It is no coincidence that some of these were Sadducees who denied the resurrection and any supernatural aspect to the Jewish faith. Certainly this new movement with its healing and proclaiming of a resurrected messiah flew in the face of their education, teaching, and thus their position and power.

18 They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail.

Unable to resist the apostles with reason, evidence, or any legitimate means of persuading the people not to follow the apostles, they resorted to the use of their civil authority and physical force and jailed them. The gospel may not be dis-proven by any legitimate means and therefore those who proclaim it will often be resisted by illegitimate force and abuse of worldly authority.

19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said,

God's authority is greater and God has the means at his disposal to allow His mission to succeed even when resisted by natural and seemingly irresistible means. I n this case an angelic messenger is sent not on;ly to provide physical release but also a clear instuction as to what should be done with their freedom.

20 "Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life."

The apostles are directed by the Word of God through this angel to return to their task of publicly telling people about the life that is given to them by the Gospel. They are to proclaim the whole message, avoiding any possible temptation to limit their speech to what would not offend and they are to do so publicly not in secret.. This I believe clarifies the purpose of their release. It was not for their safety, or so that they may be free to go into hiding. It was so that God's message could continue to be delivered. Likewise are we delivered from sin and death and given forgiveness and eternal life. It is not so we may live in fear of sin, nor should we willingly continue to sin. It is not so that we may retreat into the safe walls of Christian sub culture and seclude ourselves from society. We have been freed to proclaim the Life given through the gospel. Anything less is an improper use of our new freedom.

21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach.

As we should, so the apostles obeyed. Some would question the need for preaching, believing that people do not wish to hear it or claiming that God may save those he has predestined with or without our efforts. Any such teaching is un-Biblical and a rejection of our calling. If for no other reason we must proclaim the gospel because we are commanded to. We cannot call God, Lord or even God, and willfully do other than God commands. So regardless of whatever outcome we may imagine we are called to proclaim the Gospel.