Acts 5:27-32
Acts 5:27-32
May 24, 2020
Acts 5:27-32
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s
upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus,
whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 1
Almost nine years ago I took a trip to the other side of the world. It was the longest flight I had ever taken. I flew from Jacksonville to Newark, then we flew across Canada to the Far East where after hours in perhaps the most uncomfortable seat for a 6’7” non-limber man - the back seat of a crowded jet (the seat that is right in front of the restroom and does not recline) next to a couple who were very cozy with each other, we finally landed in one of the busiest airports I have ever been. Years ago one of our former church members used to coach our mission teams on international travel and I remember one thing he told one of our groups. He said, “Don’t be conspicuous and try not to look like an American in public.” Well, at 6’7” with very pale skin, I stepped out into a sea of people crowded in this airport that, well to be very clear, looked nothing like me. I towered over the crowd, standing there not speaking the language, hoping to make it through customs with no issues. Then, hoping to find my missionary contact. There’s more to this story, but I’ll save that for another time.
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 5:27–32). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. 1
blood
obey God rather than men.
Needless to say, I was met by my friend and we spent the next week traveling throughout his country as he told me of the mission work, the work in the orphanage they owned, and the church planting and pastoral training being done.
All in a nation where the over evangelization of people for the sake of the gospel is not only frowned upon, but actually illegal. One day we met with a number of college students in a donut shop. As the obvious American on vacation visiting this city, they wanted to meet with me. And...in case it wasn’t clear earlier, I still stood out as an American tourist. There was no blending in option. I even had a number of people stop me for a photo, so I know for a least a moment or so, I was appearing on whatever social media platforms were allowed in this region as the tall visitor from America.
The people I met were beautiful and wonderful. Truly great, but as this moment with these collegians showed me, it was very easy for me not to see the reality of what they face daily.
When you’re the tourist you can miss the story.
We started talking about faith. These students were very smart, studying topics and majoring in things that were truly over my head. Genius level students. And...they were typical college students. Laughing. Questioning. Loved being together. Most were believers in Christ. One or two were not quite there yet, but were interested. That’s why we met.
As I asked them about their lives and about their faith, I pulled out a black leather-bound journal. A journal – you know with blank pages within. At that moment all the students had a frightened look in their eyes. I had done something that caused one to almost get up and leave (he was quickly putting his things back in his backpack.)
I had no idea what had happened.
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Fortunately, my friend said loudly “Oh, you have a journal.”
At that point I knew what was going on. I opened the book, flipped through the pages and took out my pen. I held it up, just in case there were CCTV cameras around (there were) and said loudly as well “Yes, I like to take notes here about my trip so I can remember all the good times.”
What in the world?
These students thought I had pulled out a Bible.
Now, it’s not that I would have been arrested (at least not at that point) but the fact a group of young, educated, state-sponsored students were with an American with a Bible would do great harm...to them.
Wow! It’s just a little thing, right?
It was an eye-opener. Not so much a feeling of pity or sadness for these students, but more a feeling of shame and frustration at myself and my peers here in the US who have likely more Bibles in our homes and on our shelves, not to mention our phones and tablets, but ... let’s be honest, we would likely never fear getting in trouble reading it in public place. Sadly, that may be more about us never treasuring the Word enough to have it with us constantly, much less ever reading in a restaurant.
Oh, don’t get mad. I know many of you do have Bible studies and D groups that meet in restaurants. Others of you go (well, went) to coffee shops to study the Bible. I’ve even done that when studying. But, by and large, let’s be honest...we take for granted that we CAN do this.
I spent a few more days in this nation with my friend. I traveled to the interior and met with a church that gathered in a cave carved out of a
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sandstone mountain. I did not understand the words they were saying, but when they began singing...I knew these old hymns.
One of the young men, the new pastor for the church, was there. He was handsome, likely in his twenties. He had a new tie. It had a cross on it. He wore it proudly and loved just being able to serve as the pastor for these people. His training was about the equivalent of what most of our Life Group (or Sunday School) members have – not teachers, just the ones who attend regularly and sit in classes being taught. He was a blank slate, and was soaking up all of the Scripture he could. I was taken by his overwhelming joy.
I asked my friend why this young man was now the pastor of what was a group of about twenty meeting in this cave. Oh, it was a Thursday I think, so they heard I was visiting and wanted to have church. They did. I did. We did.
Why this man? Because in this rural region of the country more often than not the pastors of these underground, Bible-based, gospel- preaching, non-government sanctioned churches just seem to disappear. At this time, the government was not working to shut all these groups down. There were too many of them. They were, however, it seems allowing, or encouraging the “accidental car wrecks” in these town where amazingly the only terminal casualties were church leaders.
They were seeking to “cut the head of the snake” so that the churches would die.
They didn’t.
The next pastor was just called up and out of the group.
Sadly, over the last few years, the tightening on the churches and the Christians has occurred. I received a communication last year from my friend. I won’t go into details, but it is hard. Harder than he remembers.
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The church is suffering physically. The persecution is REAL. And...I am saddened because I don’t know if I will ever be able to visit or see my brother in Christ again this side of heaven.
Yet, I am encouraged as well.
And as I read this passage in Acts, I could not help but think of my friend and this trip. Some of you have been to this place as well as we were able to send a few teams over the years.
This passage in Acts brings to the forefront the reality faced in this world if you choose to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I do believe in this age of global pandemic, there will be many who have moved to a place of comfortable and casual Christianity that will discover the version of Christianity they espoused (you know the easy grace kind that sees church as little more than a religiously themed community club bent on some good deeds every now and then and a program of attractional events and resources designed for a consumer culture, but without convictional confessionalism.)
We see the disciples in Acts 5, following their imprisonment for preaching the gospel, following their release from prison by God as he had an angel escort them out of the cells. You see them ignoring the commands given them by the Sanhedrin to stop preaching the gospel and going back to doing just that.
Is this right?
Is this an afront to authority?
1. AUTHORITY REVEALED
You’ll hear the “render unto Caesar” quote often by those who espouse the power of authority. This is not untrue. God is a god of authority.
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God set up authority and obeying the authorities is part of walking well as a Christian.
God instituted the authorities of family, church, and government.
None of these exist without his creating them and empowering them.
Peter would write in his first letter to “Honor the emperor.” The same Peter we see in Acts 5.
He’s not contradicting his Holy Spirit inspired teachings at any level.
There is a consistent teaching throughout scripture to recognize those in authority as being established by God. Even ungodly authorities rule under the sovereign God’s hand. This hurts our heads to think, but it is true.
Authority is to be recognized and respected. We are to submit to authority, and here’s the key providing they do not contradict God’s Word.
Ultimately, we submit to the state out of submission to Christ (1 Peter 2:13)
Look here...the disciples are preaching. Why? Because to not would be to ignore the true authority over their lives. This verse...
28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
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“You intend to bring this man’s blood upon us!?!?” – really? This is guilty conscience speaking, for the blood of this man is already on their hands by the cross.
Matthew 27:25 - 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”2
2. BLOOD APPLIED
The apostles sought not to bring the blood of accusation upon these men for the sake of revenge. Yet, clearly in their preaching they sought to bring the blood of Christ to the hearts of these wretched men, so that they too could be redeemed, saved, transformed from enemies of God to brothers.
That is the blood applied – for the forgiveness of sin.
I wonder as Christians today, in the safest bubble of Christianity for the church in the history of the world if when we choose our battles, are our motives as pure as these apostles?
Are our enemies simply ones that give us reason to be angry, to be frustrated, continually fueled by an entertaining and perpetual feed of news and stories designed to keep others just that...as others. Not souls. Not image-bearers. Not lost. Just enemies.
What motivates a Christian to remain cowering in silence when the lostness of the world is unveiled before us?
3. OBEDIENCE DEMANDED
This verse is convicting. It’s challenging. It is so amazing.
2 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 27:25). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. 7
But, what if it just remains a verse in a book good for reading, memorizing, and quoting for an award, but not put where it must...upon the hearts of brothers and sisters.
29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
What happens when obeying man leads to the disobedience of God? Simple. You obey God.
What if it is clear that God has called a person to himself for full- time Christian service in the church or on the mission field, but it’s costly and man (maybe mom or dad) is strongly encouraging another route for a career – you know one with a good salary, safe future, and opportunities to fulfill the American dream?
What then?
Obey God. Not man.
What if obeying God means creating turmoil at work? I mean really obeying God. Not some southern-friend version of being a good Christian, but the biblical mandates for living as a Christ- follower. What if it makes the job and working with your coworkers challenging? What then?
Obey God. Not man.
What if it means speaking up when everyone else is saying “Stay out of it?”
Obey God. Not man.
What if it means risking the continued superficial comfort of family gatherings by confronting, in love, the family member who
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is living in sin, morally bankrupt, choosing a path that leads to destruction. What if speaking up ruins every possible gathering in the future?
Obey God. Not man.
What if living in a Far Eastern nation that officially declares God does not exist, is not to be worshiped, is not to be shared, is not to be claimed...for fear of jail, or worse?
Obey God. Not man.
Twenty years ago this week thousands of college students and young adults gathered at Shelby Farms in Memphis, Tennessee for the Passion Conference event called “One Day.” It was like a Woodstock for Jesus with the only high being the focus on Christ. A generation gathered and a number from our church were there for this. Our college pastor Lyle Bobo loaded up the bus, along with students from a sister church, and headed off to Memphis.
Louie Giglio organized this event. Numerous pastors and speakers were there. I look at the video clips and it’s amazing how young these pastors were. I look at old pictures of me twenty years ago and well...same.
These 18-22 year olds are now 38 or older. They have children. They are planning or are sending their own 18 year olds out in the world. I listen to this message from John Piper preached at the event and I cannot help but think of the church today, these same formerly young adults and what legacy has been left.
Piper stated...
You don’t have to know a lot of things for your life to make a lasting difference in the world. But you do have to know the few great things that matter, and then be willing to live for them and die for them. The people that make a durable difference in the
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world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered by a few great things.
If you want your life to count, if you want the ripple effect of the pebbles you drop to become waves that reach the ends of the earth and roll on for centuries and into eternity, you don’t have to have a high IQ or EQ; you don’t have to have to have good looks or riches; you don’t have to come from a fine family or a fine school. You have to know a few great, majestic, unchanging, obvious, simple, glorious things, and be set on fire by them.
But I know that not everybody in this crowd wants your life to
make a difference. There are hundreds of you — you don’t care
whether you make a lasting difference for something great, you
just want people to like you. If people would just like you, you’d
be satisfied. Or if you could just have good job with a good wife
and a couple good kids and a nice car and long weekends and a
few good friends, a fun retirement, and quick and easy death and
no hell — if you could have that (minus God) — you’d be
satisfied.
is a tragedy in the making.
That
You’ve probably heard this part already, but I’ll continue...
I tell you what a tragedy is. I’ll read to you from Reader’s Digest (Feb. 2000, 98) what a tragedy is: “Bob and Penny . . . took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells.”
The American Dream: come to the end of your life — your one and only life — and let the last great work before you give an account to your Creator be, “I collected shells. See my
shells.” That is a tragedy. And people today are spending billions
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of dollars to persuade you to embrace that tragic dream. And I get forty minutes to plead with you: don’t buy it.
Don’t waste your life. It is so short and so precious.
Young people. Older people. Christians all over the timeline. Listen to me. Life is short. You should know this. You actually have less control over things than you think. You should know this, too thanks to COVID- 19.
For the Christian listening to me...for the high school senior planning his or her career or education based on some cultural understanding of success, for the adult who has more years behind them than before, listen to me today.
Don’t waste your life.
Early this past week, I was pretty down. My wife asked if I was okay. I said “Yeah” but she knew better. We walk and talk every day, but my talking was less enthusiastic.
I began to go through our church membership roll. I was praying over names and looking for emails and contact information and I was broken over the vast number of “used tos” on that list. Folks who used to worship together with us as church family regularly (I mean years ago) but quit doing so. Those who used to be our teenagers who were going to take the world for the gospel, but disappeared and I dare not look on Facebook because I don’t think it would be encouraging (though in some cases it would be very encouraging.) Those who used to stand for truth, served where needed, worshipped joyfully, and now... where are they? Following their kids on travel teams, shifting from faithful brother and sister to see at Easter and Christmas, maybe?
Used to.
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And, here’s the depressing part. Every one of these wandering sheep were once in our flock, protected, safe, strong, obeying God seemingly.
And now.
My Far Eastern friends brought me joy in knowing the gospel is being proclaimed and even when their lives are on the lines, they’re standing firm. They also embarrassed me because I just did not know if I would stand that firm.
Church – we are not being persecuted. Any version of persecution we face in our American Christian bubble when compared to what our brothers and sisters face is nothing.
But, we have been given a reset. A moment of pause. A moment to see what it would be like when the church cannot gather. When to assemble requires much less convenience. When our beloved programs are erased – no choir, no youth rallies, no AWANAS, no Sunday School classes...at least not like we had them or want them.
When all we have is Jesus, church. Will that be enough?
Obey God.
Not man.
To God be the glory.
Footnotes
