Apostles Apostles PersecutedPersecutedActs 5:12-24Acts 5:12-24

Finding God? (Acts 5:12-14)Two categories of people:

“No one else dared join them”“More and more believed”

The Battalion Restated:Walk with Jesus vs. Walk

Away In the spiritual battle of Satan against God,

there is no MIDDLE GROUND. There is no such thing as a HALF-

WAY Christian.(Luke 9:23-24)

Temple Model – Solomon’s Colonnade across back

Temple Model – Solomon’s Colonnade across back

Acts 5:12-1612 The apostles performed many

miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the

believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the

people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their

number.

Herod’s TempleHerod’s Temple Solomon’s Porch was part of Solomon’s Porch was part of

the Herod Temple complex.the Herod Temple complex.

Photo by Morris Cromer

Solomon’s Porch

(Colonade)

“Solomon’s Porch (Portico) was 800 feet long (nearly 3 football fields)

with 162 Corinthian Columns up to 100 feet tall.

Solomon's Colonnade Solomon's Colonnade (Porch)(Porch)

Solomon’s Colonnade was a great Solomon’s Colonnade was a great open air porch (colonnade) which open air porch (colonnade) which

was a portion of the east side of the was a portion of the east side of the temple called the court of the temple called the court of the Gentiles built on foundations Gentiles built on foundations originally set by the order of originally set by the order of

Solomon. It was here in Solomon. It was here in Acts 3:11 Acts 3:11 that Peter healed the cripple beggar that Peter healed the cripple beggar

and where Jesus had taught and where Jesus had taught (John (John 10:23)10:23)..

Temple and Its Courts (Model)Temple and Its Courts (Model)

Although the multitudes were Although the multitudes were favorably disposed to the Apostles favorably disposed to the Apostles

and the disciples, few were willing to and the disciples, few were willing to risk the wrath of the Jewish rulers to risk the wrath of the Jewish rulers to

make a public confession.make a public confession. v13-14 seem to imply that the v13-14 seem to imply that the

conversions were continuing in large conversions were continuing in large numbers but in more private numbers but in more private

settings.settings. v13 -14: v13 -14: No one else dared join them, No one else dared join them,

even though they were highly even though they were highly regarded by the people. regarded by the people.

Nevertheless, more and more men Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and and women believed in the Lord and

were added to their number.were added to their number.

Although the multitudes were Although the multitudes were favorably disposed to the Apostles favorably disposed to the Apostles

and the disciples, few were willing to and the disciples, few were willing to risk the wrath of the Jewish rulers to risk the wrath of the Jewish rulers to

make a public confession.make a public confession. v13-14 seem to imply that the v13-14 seem to imply that the

conversions were continuing in large conversions were continuing in large numbers but in more private numbers but in more private

settings.settings. v13 -14: v13 -14: No one else dared join them, No one else dared join them,

even though they were highly even though they were highly regarded by the people. regarded by the people.

Nevertheless, more and more men Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and and women believed in the Lord and

were added to their number.were added to their number.

Question:Question:

At least how At least how many Christians many Christians met at Solomon’s met at Solomon’s

Colonnade? Colonnade?

““4 But many who 4 But many who heard the message heard the message believed, and the believed, and the number of men number of men

grew to about five grew to about five thousand.” thousand.” Acts Acts

4:4 4:4

Acts 5:14;Acts 5:14; Acts 5:14;Acts 5:14;

Peter’s Shadow HealsPeter’s Shadow Heals15 As a result, people brought

the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so

that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as

he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing

their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them

were healed.

15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and

laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow

might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds

gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing

their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them

were healed.

The Preaching ContinuedThe Preaching ContinuedThe Preaching ContinuedThe Preaching Continued

Every day in Solomon’s Colonnade, a Every day in Solomon’s Colonnade, a place where Jews and Gentiles could place where Jews and Gentiles could

gather in great numbers, the gather in great numbers, the Apostles preached and the miracles Apostles preached and the miracles confirmed their word as the Word of confirmed their word as the Word of

God.God. The fake miracle workers of today The fake miracle workers of today

tell people who come to them for tell people who come to them for healing but are NOT healed that healing but are NOT healed that

their faith was just not strong their faith was just not strong enough.enough.

Every day in Solomon’s Colonnade, a Every day in Solomon’s Colonnade, a place where Jews and Gentiles could place where Jews and Gentiles could

gather in great numbers, the gather in great numbers, the Apostles preached and the miracles Apostles preached and the miracles confirmed their word as the Word of confirmed their word as the Word of

God.God. The fake miracle workers of today The fake miracle workers of today

tell people who come to them for tell people who come to them for healing but are NOT healed that healing but are NOT healed that

their faith was just not strong their faith was just not strong enough.enough.

Bible MiraclesBible MiraclesBible MiraclesBible Miracles

We have already looked at the We have already looked at the nature of Bible miracles. No one did nature of Bible miracles. No one did or could question that they were real or could question that they were real

miracles.miracles. There is one more important fact I There is one more important fact I want to mention: NO ONE who came want to mention: NO ONE who came

to JESUS or to an APOSTLE to be to JESUS or to an APOSTLE to be healed was ever sent away without healed was ever sent away without

being healed.being healed. Verse 17 says, “ALL of them were Verse 17 says, “ALL of them were

healed.”healed.” In Matthew 12:15 and Luke 6:19, the In Matthew 12:15 and Luke 6:19, the

Bible (NKJV) says Jesus healed ALL Bible (NKJV) says Jesus healed ALL who came to Him for healing. NO who came to Him for healing. NO

FAILURES THERE!FAILURES THERE!

We have already looked at the We have already looked at the nature of Bible miracles. No one did nature of Bible miracles. No one did or could question that they were real or could question that they were real

miracles.miracles. There is one more important fact I There is one more important fact I want to mention: NO ONE who came want to mention: NO ONE who came

to JESUS or to an APOSTLE to be to JESUS or to an APOSTLE to be healed was ever sent away without healed was ever sent away without

being healed.being healed. Verse 17 says, “ALL of them were Verse 17 says, “ALL of them were

healed.”healed.” In Matthew 12:15 and Luke 6:19, the In Matthew 12:15 and Luke 6:19, the

Bible (NKJV) says Jesus healed ALL Bible (NKJV) says Jesus healed ALL who came to Him for healing. NO who came to Him for healing. NO

FAILURES THERE!FAILURES THERE!

Acts 5:12-16;Acts 5:12-16; Acts 5:12-16;Acts 5:12-16;Miracles were used to confirm

the words of the apostles.

The death of Ananias and Sapphira could be viewed as a

“negative” miracle used to confirm the importance of truth.

Acts 5:12-16;Acts 5:12-16; Acts 5:12-16;Acts 5:12-16;Miracles were used to confirm the words of

the apostles.

The “positive” miracles were used to confirm the words taught by the apostles. (Cf.

Hebrews 2:1-4)

Today, our confirmation is found in the recorded miracles and teaching in the

inspired word of God

Acts 5:17-2017 Then the high priest and all

his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with

jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the

night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said,

"and tell the people the full message of this new life."

Acts 5:17-2017 Then the high priest and all

his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with

jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the

night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said,

"and tell the people the full message of this new life."

The Sanhedrin was The Sanhedrin was the official leadership the official leadership of the Jewish nation of the Jewish nation

consisting of about 71 consisting of about 71 influential men influential men

including the high including the high priest.priest.

Sanhedrin: Acts 5:17-Acts 5:17-18;18;

Sanhedrin: Acts 5:17-Acts 5:17-18;18;

The Sadducees The Sadducees were a group that were a group that did not believe in did not believe in

angels or the angels or the resurrection of the resurrection of the

dead.dead.

Apostles ArrestedApostles ArrestedThen theThen the high priesthigh priest rose up, and all rose up, and all they that were with him, they that were with him, ((which is the which is the sect of the Sadduceessect of the Sadducees,) ,) and were filled and were filled

with indignation, and laid their hands on with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the the apostles, and put them in the

common prison. (KJV)common prison. (KJV)What issues do the Sadducees have with What issues do the Sadducees have with

the apostles?the apostles?Sadducees Oppose the apostles Sadducees Oppose the apostles

doctrinesdoctrinesThey FEAR that the people would They FEAR that the people would

REVOLTREVOLTRevolt against them (they were not Revolt against them (they were not

popular amongst the common popular amongst the common people)people)

And revolt against RomeAnd revolt against Rome

Acts 4:1-2 – And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the

temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the

resurrection from the dead. Matt 22:23 – The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no

resurrectionActs 23:7-8 – …there arose a dissension

between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the

Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but

the Pharisees confess both.(KJV)

This is ANOTHER Attempt to This is ANOTHER Attempt to Stifle the GospelStifle the Gospel

This is ANOTHER Attempt to This is ANOTHER Attempt to Stifle the GospelStifle the Gospel

The High Priest and his associates The High Priest and his associates try again to stifle the Apostles by try again to stifle the Apostles by

arresting them and putting them into arresting them and putting them into the public jail.the public jail.

They were jealous because the They were jealous because the people were going after the Apostles people were going after the Apostles and leaving them and their authority.and leaving them and their authority.They are getting bolder. I think this They are getting bolder. I think this is indicated by the fact that the jail is indicated by the fact that the jail where the Apostles are put this time where the Apostles are put this time

is the public jail.is the public jail.

The High Priest and his associates The High Priest and his associates try again to stifle the Apostles by try again to stifle the Apostles by

arresting them and putting them into arresting them and putting them into the public jail.the public jail.

They were jealous because the They were jealous because the people were going after the Apostles people were going after the Apostles and leaving them and their authority.and leaving them and their authority.They are getting bolder. I think this They are getting bolder. I think this is indicated by the fact that the jail is indicated by the fact that the jail where the Apostles are put this time where the Apostles are put this time

is the public jail.is the public jail.

God’s angel brings the Apostles out of the jail and tells them to go to the

temple courts and preach openly.Acts 5:21

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told,

and began to teach the people. The Apostles obey. That morning

they appear in the temple courts and boldly testify to the resurrection of Jesus and explain what it means for

man’s salvation.The angel had said “Tell the people

the full message of this new life.”

God’s angel brings the Apostles out of the jail and tells them to go to the

temple courts and preach openly.Acts 5:21

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told,

and began to teach the people. The Apostles obey. That morning

they appear in the temple courts and boldly testify to the resurrection of Jesus and explain what it means for

man’s salvation.The angel had said “Tell the people

the full message of this new life.”

Acts 5:17-21;Acts 5:17-21; Acts 5:17-21;Acts 5:17-21;

The angel of the Lord delivered the apostles from prison..

This was a limited act in that the Lord did not always protect the

apostles. Consider James whom Herod killed. (Acts 12:1-4)

The Lord delivered the apostles so that they could continue to

teach.

While the Lord may not work in the same way as He did with the

apostles.

We do know that the Lord will never leave us. (Hebrews 13:5-6)

The Full Sanhedrin The Full Sanhedrin MeetsMeets

The Full Sanhedrin The Full Sanhedrin MeetsMeets

Acts 5:21-24When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called

together the Sanhedrin-the full assembly of the elders of Israel-and sent to the jail for

the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers

did not find them there.

Acts 5:21-24When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called

together the Sanhedrin-the full assembly of the elders of Israel-and sent to the jail for

the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers

did not find them there.

The SanhedrinThe SanhedrinThe SanhedrinThe SanhedrinThe Sanhedrin was the

“Supreme Court” of the Jewish nation.

According to the Mishna, the Sanhedrin was composed of about seventy tribal elders

presided over by the High Priest and his priestly associates. A

group of scribes served as legal advisors.

This was an aristocratic body composed of the rich and powerful Pharisees and

Sadducees.

The Sanhedrin was the “Supreme Court” of the Jewish

nation.According to the Mishna, the

Sanhedrin was composed of about seventy tribal elders

presided over by the High Priest and his priestly associates. A

group of scribes served as legal advisors.

This was an aristocratic body composed of the rich and powerful Pharisees and

Sadducees.

So they went back and reported, 23 "We found the

jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened

them, we found no one inside." 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the

temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled,

wondering what would come of this.

So they went back and reported, 23 "We found the

jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened

them, we found no one inside." 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the

temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled,

wondering what would come of this.

When the Sanhedrin sent some When the Sanhedrin sent some of their officers to the jail to of their officers to the jail to bring the Apostles before the bring the Apostles before the

court, they found the cell locked court, they found the cell locked with the guards at their posts with the guards at their posts

outside the cell doors. But when outside the cell doors. But when they looked inside the cell it was they looked inside the cell it was

empty.empty.There is no physical explanation There is no physical explanation of how this could have happened.of how this could have happened.Of course the Sanhedrin had to Of course the Sanhedrin had to

know it had been a miracleknow it had been a miracle

When the Sanhedrin sent some When the Sanhedrin sent some of their officers to the jail to of their officers to the jail to bring the Apostles before the bring the Apostles before the

court, they found the cell locked court, they found the cell locked with the guards at their posts with the guards at their posts

outside the cell doors. But when outside the cell doors. But when they looked inside the cell it was they looked inside the cell it was

empty.empty.There is no physical explanation There is no physical explanation of how this could have happened.of how this could have happened.Of course the Sanhedrin had to Of course the Sanhedrin had to

know it had been a miracleknow it had been a miracle

Conclusion to Acts 5:1-24;Conclusion to Acts 5:1-24;Conclusion to Acts 5:1-24;Conclusion to Acts 5:1-24;By their obvious supernatural

knowledge and wisdom, their miraculous powers and the fact that no jail can hold them the

people believe the Apostles are servants of God preaching a

message from God.Even the rulers of the Jews have

to know these men are guided and empowered by God. Still, as they did with Jesus, they cannot

bear to think of losing their prestige and their power over the

people.

By their obvious supernatural knowledge and wisdom, their

miraculous powers and the fact that no jail can hold them the

people believe the Apostles are servants of God preaching a

message from God.Even the rulers of the Jews have

to know these men are guided and empowered by God. Still, as they did with Jesus, they cannot

bear to think of losing their prestige and their power over the

people.

By these things and by what happened By these things and by what happened to Ananias and Sapphira, the authority to Ananias and Sapphira, the authority

of the Apostles is well established of the Apostles is well established among the common people, especially among the common people, especially

the disciples.the disciples. After these threats, beatings and After these threats, beatings and

incarcerations will the Apostle keep on incarcerations will the Apostle keep on preaching in the temple?preaching in the temple?

If they do, what will the rulers of the If they do, what will the rulers of the Jews do next? Will they jail them and Jews do next? Will they jail them and beat them again? Will they kill them?beat them again? Will they kill them?

We will find out in the next lesson, We will find out in the next lesson, Acts Acts 5:25ff5:25ff

Jesus called them one by one,

Peter, Andrew, James and John.

Then came Philip, Thomas too,

Matthew and Bartholomew,

Jesus called them one by one,

Peter, Andrew, James and John.

Then came Philip, Thomas too,

Matthew and Bartholomew,

James, the one they call "the Less,"

Simon, also Thaddeus.The twelfth apostle Judas

made,Jesus was by him betrayed.

James, the one they call "the Less,"

Simon, also Thaddeus.The twelfth apostle Judas

made,Jesus was by him betrayed.

Twelve in all, he called to Twelve in all, he called to him.him.

"Apostles," was His name "Apostles," was His name for them.for them.

They went out to "fish for They went out to "fish for men,"men,"

Faithfully they followed Faithfully they followed him.him.

Twelve in all, he called to Twelve in all, he called to him.him.

"Apostles," was His name "Apostles," was His name for them.for them.

They went out to "fish for They went out to "fish for men,"men,"

Faithfully they followed Faithfully they followed him.him.

From his baptism by John,And to his resurrection,

It became their special callTo bear their witness to it

all -

From his baptism by John,And to his resurrection,

It became their special callTo bear their witness to it

all -

All Jesus Christ had said and done.

All were faithful - all but one.And their testimony true,

Can also be believed by you.

All Jesus Christ had said and done.

All were faithful - all but one.And their testimony true,

Can also be believed by you.

They maintained it until their death,

And always spoke by Spirit's breath.

The Spirit spoke through them God’s word,

Reminding them of what they'd heard,

They maintained it until their death,

And always spoke by Spirit's breath.

The Spirit spoke through them God’s word,

Reminding them of what they'd heard,

Allowing them to do great signs,

And to pen the Bible's lines.All were martyred for their

LordTo confirm the gospel word -

Allowing them to do great signs,

And to pen the Bible's lines.All were martyred for their

LordTo confirm the gospel word -

ALL BUT ONEALL BUT ONE

At a hundred years or more,John embarked for heaven's

shoreThe only one who was not

killed.His prophet’s mission, he

fulfilled.

At a hundred years or more,John embarked for heaven's

shoreThe only one who was not

killed.His prophet’s mission, he

fulfilled.

"Apostle" means one who is sent.

To all the world apostles went.Their word today is just as

goodAs when upon the earth they

stood.

"Apostle" means one who is sent.

To all the world apostles went.Their word today is just as

goodAs when upon the earth they

stood.

The gospel message will not change,

So we must not rearrangeGod's system or his teaching.

Let's not be overreaching.

The gospel message will not change,

So we must not rearrangeGod's system or his teaching.

Let's not be overreaching.

Jesus called them one by one:Peter, Andrew, James and

John...Twelve in all he called to him."Apostles," Jesus named them.

Jesus called them one by one:Peter, Andrew, James and

John...Twelve in all he called to him."Apostles," Jesus named them.

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