ANGER CANNOT QUIET THE WORD OF GOD

Acts 5:17-20 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

In Acts 4:6, we have the high priest mentioned as being Annas. It is probably he that is referred to in the lesson text. All they that were with him, that is, all that agreed, cooperated, and followed the leadership of Annas, were the sect of the Sadducees. All of these influential Jewish leaders were members of the ruling body known as the Sanhedrin. They were adamantly opposed to the apostles and their teaching that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah. They were grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead (Acts 4:2). And being called into their presence, they threatened Peter and John, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18).

However, determined to follow the Holy Spirit-inspired word of God, the apostles continued to assemble with the newborn Christians in the temple in Solomon's porch. There they preached and taught the message of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ to all people of the Jewish nation that would come and hear God's inspired word, and have it confirmed by miracles through His power that was given to the apostles. Because the apostles continued to obey God's calling and defy their earthly authority, members of the Sanhedrin were filled with indignation. That is to say that Annas, and the Sadducee members of this ruling body of the Jewish nation, were filled with anger and scorn because of the defiant actions of these Christians and their leaders - the apostles of Christ. Because of the unrighteous anger and wrath of the Sanhedrin they laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison - a public jail where malefactors of all descriptions were kept awaiting trial.

But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. Regardless of the obstacles placed in the way of the apostles of Christ, God's will prevailed. His message of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, could not be contained by the militant efforts of these Jewish leaders. During the nighttime hours, God sent an angel, who miraculously opened the doors of the prison and brought these apostles out. Setting them free, this messenger of God told them to return to the temple and continue teaching, to all that would hear the wonderful words of eternal life that had been assured to the world by the resurrection of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The following verse tells us that, after hearing God's instructions from His angel, they obediently entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught.

From this verse we also find that the high priest called the council together and sent officers to the prison to bring the apostles before them for another trial. However, when the officers came to the prison, they could not be found. After returning, this was the message reported to the council. Perplexed by their disappearance, the high priest, and all council members doubted of them whereunto this would grow, or as the NKJV translates, they wondered what the outcome would be (Vs. 24).

Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people (Vs. 25). The apostles,whom they had imprisoned the night before, were now standing in the temple, defying their commandment, and were, once again, teaching the people that eternal salvation was available to the world through the resurrected Christ Jesus. Without fear of the Jewish authorities, and without regard for their angry indignation, these apostles of Christ Jesus did not attempt to escape and hide from them, but they openly, and in the face of danger, continued to serve the will of God.

What a great example to all of the newborn Christians in Jerusalem, were these sincerly dedicated apostles of Christ, and what an example it is to the children of God in all ages since that day. Every brother and sister in Christ should forever thank God, realizing that the anger and indignation of all that oppose God's word cannot quiet or repress the wonderful message of eternal salvation through Christ Jesus.