Defiance and Perplexity
Acts 5:21–25 (NASB95)
21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought.
22 But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, 23 saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
Acts 5:21-25 continues the narrative of the apostles' conflict with the religious authorities, highlighting their obedience to God and the growing perplexity of their opponents. Obedient to the angel's command, the apostles return to the temple at daybreak and begin teaching “the whole message of this Life.” This act was a deliberate defiance of the Sanhedrin's orders, demonstrating their commitment to God's will over human authority.
Have you ever been asked if Christians should engage in peaceful civil disobedience? How would you answer that question? How does this passage impact your viewpoint and answer to that question? In a previous commentary, I stated that we should live no lies and always speak the truth, even if this is contrary to the wishes of our employers, local governments, or other figures of authority.
The apostle’s presence in the temple at daybreak, a time of prayer and sacrifice, further underscores their connection to Jewish tradition and their understanding of Jesus' ministry. This early morning teaching mirrors Jesus' own practice, emphasizing the continuity between His ministry and that of the apostles.
Meanwhile, the high priest and his council convene the Sanhedrin, likely with a larger attendance than usual, given the seriousness of the situation. They send officers to the jail to bring the apostles before them. This formal process, involving the entire Sanhedrin and temple officers, highlights the authorities' attempt to maintain a semblance of legal procedure while dealing with the perceived threat of the apostles.
The officers return with a perplexing report: the jail is secure, the guards are at their posts, but the prisoners are gone. While the authorities are still trying to make sense of the situation, someone arrives with another surprising report: the apostles are teaching in the temple. The apostles' bold return to the temple, where they had been banned, demonstrates their unwavering commitment to proclaiming the Gospel, regardless of the consequences.
Here are the lessons I like from these verses:
The apostles' unwavering obedience to God's call, even in the face of opposition, serves as a powerful example for us today. We, too, may face challenges and obstacles in sharing the Gospel, but we must remain committed to following God's will above all else.
They went to where the people were at times when the people were there. In our community, where are the people? How do we take the message of the Gospel to them at the most effective times in the most effective places? This is what mission looks like.
Blessings,
Ryan Goodnight