Jealousy, Opposition, and Divine Intervention
Acts 5:17–20 (NASB95)
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. 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.”
Acts 5:17-20 describes the escalating conflict between the religious leaders and the apostles, highlighting God's power to deliver and His commitment to the spread of the Gospel. The high priest and the Sadducees, filled with jealousy, arrest the apostles. This jealousy was rooted in the growing popularity of the apostles and their message, which threatened the authority and influence of the established religious leaders. This jealousy echoes Paul's words in Romans 11:11 and 11:14, where he describes his desire to provoke his fellow Jews to jealousy and thus save some of them. In the case of the high priest and the Sadducees, however, this jealousy leads not to salvation but opposition and persecution. We should remember that jealousy itself is not the sin, but what it moves us to do can be.
The apostles were publicly arrested to discredit them and intimidate their followers. This tactic is common today: attempts to shame Christians and the Church publicly for holding to their doctrines and faith. However, this public arrest would ultimately backfire, as God's intervention would further demonstrate His power and the apostles' divine commission. I believe we have also seen the same happen in our day and culture with attempts to discredit, suppress, or alter truth backfiring.
During the night, an angel of the Lord miraculously opens the prison doors and releases the apostles. This divine intervention is not merely an escape from prison but a commissioning for continued ministry. The angel instructs them to go to the temple and preach the whole message of life. The apostles are not called to hide, remain silent, or alter their message but to boldly proclaim the message of salvation - the whole message of salvation - even in the face of opposition.
These are great lessons for the modern church today. Here is how I would summarize:
The tactics used by those who resist the Church have not changed
Never forget the primary reason God may remove obstacles in our path. It’s so we can continue to boldly engage in mission, not just a “get out of jail free card.”
Our message does not change, even if it is unpopular. God’s truth is truth despite how opposed some may be to it. We should always speak “the whole message of this Life.”
Blessings,
Ryan Goodnight