Acts 5:17-42 WITNESSING IN SPITE OF OPPOSITION The power of the Holy Spirit filling visionary believers to do the work God sent them to accomplish is not easily stopped. The Sadducees in the early days were so angered against those who were making an impact of the whole city of Jerusalem by preaching Jesus and the resurrection, and their message was so confirmed by miraculous signs, that the apostles were imprisoned. Plain preaching of the Gospel by faithful men whose lives back up their message, will still be opposed by organized religion and materialistically minded people. Truth exposes a lie. Compassion for souls exposes greed and covetousness. "If God be for us, who can be against us." Faith in God and commitment to His service does not mean that there will not be opposition. It does let us know and makes clear in times of opposition that the antagonism of some does not hinder the work of God. When under the pressure of opposition, we get the right perspective of who God is, the power of the Gospel, the world's opinion of God and His Word, who sinners are and their limitations - and who we are, witnesses for the Almighty God.
Prison is not an obstacle for God. He used those bars that men thought would stop the voices of the apostles to reveal the power of God and the impotency of opposition against God's Gospel. The Gospel seems to flourish under the pressures of opposition. The angel didn't just free the apostles but he gave instructions from the throne of God to go again and preach the Gospel. Those faithful men did not hesitate to be on the job at the break of day speaking the words of salvation to those who came early to the temple to worship and pray. When the Lord rose from the dead, the angel of the Lord rolled away the stone from the door of the sepulcher and the soldiers "became as dead men." This time the angel opened the prison doors, brought the apostles out, closed the doors behind them and the guards outside the doors were like men who were blind and deaf because they did not see or hear a thing. When we can see people as the Lord Jesus sees them, we see ourselves as God sees us - as witnesses for Him. When we are willing laborers in the harvest of the Lord - God can use us in ways we never dreamed of.
The calling of God supersedes every other consideration in life. The apostles did just what they were told and were speaking openly to the people without offense or conflict. But the world and authorities who support that system always have, and always will see the message of God as a threat to them. They consider their authority supreme and will challenge divine authority in their own self-importance. There will inevitably be times when we must decide who we will obey - God or men. Our choice is already made for us. "We ought to obey God rather than men."
No matter what will be the outcome of an event, we must put God's will first. Our obligation to obey Him is our priority. Even in the court room, Peter and the apostles agreed and were united in their public testimony as to their responsibility to the "Prince and Savior." Wisely and kindly they told how this great blessing for Israel came through the One they represented as witnesses. When the conscience of people is awakened, the responses usually are anger or acquiescence, and sometimes indifference to a seared conscience. Unless there is some person like Gamaliel who can calm troubled, convicted, ungodly people with simple counsel, when under opposition the best thing we can do is wait, and then trust God to bring about the results that He desires.
Being beaten for doing what God intended them to do, brought joy to those men, rather than self-pity or anger. To be opposed for doing what we know is right is really a positive outcome rather than a negative one. There was no animosity demonstrated, no retaliation of any kind threatened against the persecutors. Instead there was a calm assurance and joy of knowing they were publicly identified with their Lord and Savior. This event in no way turned them aside from the objective of furthering the Gospel. House meetings were used as a way to spread the good news to those who would listen. Whether the numbers are large or small we should use whatever we have at our disposal to fulfill the mandate we have been given by our Lord. In spite of what people say or believe as an opinion, we need to follow the apostolic example of making it plain that we are speaking for God when we present scriptural truth. The Lord Jesus Christ is to be the central theme of our message. The importance of repentance toward God and faith in Christ must be emphasized before indicating the assurance of forgiveness of sins. Too often the problem of sin is only briefly addressed and forgiveness is treated as some light-weight matter. Forgiveness of sins is granted to those who come by faith to accept what the grace of God has provided at the high cost of the life of Christ and His death on the cross to make full payment for our transgressions.
Let us share our faith, live as our Lord intended, preach the Word, teach it privately and be willing to accept whatever opposition that comes as a reason for rejoicing. Before long we may be reduced to meeting only in homes as a way of reaching people as the opposition increases.
There is no reason to be surprised when people oppose Because when God's truth exposes mans' lies Those who don't want the Savior will seek to depose Believers who their Lord Jesus will not deny. It is up to us to continue to be faithful To the One who gave us this charge. The attitude toward the Lord by those who are grateful Will make a mark of honor and rejoicing over each scar.
It goes with the territory of each faithful witness That we will be opposed by the powers that be. When opposition against the Gospel begins to press Our best course of action is to wait and see How God chooses to resolve in His all-knowing way What seems to hinder the work we are to do. There is no need to fear what people might say, We just need to His will to be true.
Pressure to yield to the majority is not always right When the majority denies what is God's revealed will. Remember the world's darkness hates heaven's light The unjust are unjust and filthy remain filthy still. To compromise righteousness and holiness is always wrong Even though we are pressured to be compliant. By the power of the Spirit we can remain strong, And by God's grace we won't always have to be silent.
"Righteous Father, the opposition we once experienced here is passed, at least openly. There is a new kind of opposition now. It is the lethargy and complacency of Thy people that comes with being accepted. In Thy mercy to us Thy people, stir us again to see the value of who we are and what we represent. Lift our eyes above the well-wishes of the world so we might receive Thy "Well done." In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."