Atos 5
William MacDonald · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 5
William MacDonald - True Holy Spirit ministry invariably leads to conversion on the one hand and bitter opposition on the other. (BBC) And they were filled with jealousy - As we have stated so many times elsewhere, what "fills you" will end up "controlling you!" Here the high priest and the Sadducees were controlled by their jealousy and this negative attitude resulted in a negative reaction. Husbands, wives, be careful what fills you lest it break forth in a negative reaction which may incite a return negative reaction. So what's the antidote? One thing. One Power. One Person. Be continually filled with and supernaturally controlled by the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18+). Moody Bible Commentary - Jealousy is “intense envy over the successes of another” more capable than one’s self, and often includes the sense of fear at being displaced by someone else in the affections or esteem of those important to a person. The apostles were popular, and the Sadducees were not. (Ed: Have you ever experienced this feeling toward another believer? Are you experiencing it now? Then confess and repent, for jealousy is an ugly sin that often hatches into a more sinister sin!) Were filled (4092)(pimplemi) can describe literal filling in a spatial sense (Mt 22:10, Lk 5:7) but here is used figuratively of the Sadducees who were wholly affected, controlled and influenced by their jealousy of the apostles, similar to the reaction of the Jews in Acts 13:45 who saw the crowds and "were filled with (pimplemi) jealousy (zelos)." Luke has used pimplemi to describe positive "fillings" - Acts 2:4 = "with the Holy Spirit," Acts 3:10 = "with wonder and amazement," Acts 4:8 = "with the Holy Spirit," Acts 4:31 = "with the Holy Spirit" (cf Acts 9:17, 13:9 describing Saul)." In Acts 19:29 the "city was filled with confusion" resulting in a "mob scene!" THE LEADERS WERE "BOILING OVER" Jealousy (2205)(zelos from zeo = to be hot, to boil [from the sound of bubbling water], figuratively to be fervent or show great enthusiasm; related zeloo; zelotes) was originally a good word which described fervor in advancing a cause or in rendering service (zealous). In the present context zelos is an ugly word for these "religious Jews" were motivated by their fleshly envy. They thought the crowds should be around them, not these country bumpkins from Galilee who had never had formal theological training (cf Acts 4:13) and were followers of a "blasphemer!" A synonym for jealousy is envy and even Pilate recognized this evil emotion at play in the cry of the Jews for Jesus' crucifixion, "For he (PILATE) knew that because of envy (phthonos) they had handed Him over." (Mt 27:18). Wiersbe on why the Sanhedrin would be envious of the apostles - The traditions of the fathers had not attracted that much attention or gained that many followers in such a short time. It is amazing how much envy can be hidden under the disguise of "defending the faith!" (Wiersbe Commentary on Acts) As mentioned above, zelos is used in Acts 13:45 Luke recording that "when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy (THEIR EMOTION) and (THEIR REACTION) began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming." NET Note on zelos in this verse - It is a key term in Judaism for religiously motivated rage. James Montgomery
Atos 5
William MacDonald quips "The bewildered officers had to report to the court that everything at the prison was in good order—except that the prisoners were gone!" (BBC) Now when the captain (strategos) of the temple (hieros) guard and the chief priests (archiereus) heard these words - When they heard the "key" (pun intended) words -- "locked," "guards standing", "no one inside" one can just imagine the perplexed look on their faces! Life Application Bible Commentary – Professional guards do not lose twelve prisoners! They were greatly perplexed about them -
Atos 5
William MacDonald - We must admire their (Spirit enabled) courage, and we must regain the capacity of the early church to suffer for our convictions at any cost. (BBC) People is laos which gives us our words lay people (those not belonging to the clergy) and laity. Acts 5:26 Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned). KJV Acts 5:26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. that they might be stoned Acts 5:13; Mt 14:5; 21:26; 26:5; Luke 20:6,19; 22:2 Acts 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence - To bring them back - "slowly no doubt and solemnly" (ATR). The apostles willingly surrendered, trusting that God was in control. Jesus had told them these things would happen to them. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19“But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20“For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. (Matthew 10:17-20). The principle is that the apostles held fast to Jesus' words and as a result His word held them fast. This principle is still true today. The caveat is that we must first hold fast to the Word - read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it. The apostles knew they were to imitate their Master (1 Peter 2:21) and undoubtedly recalled his non-retaliatory response to those who came to arrest Him in the Garden (Luke 22:52-53). They also knew that another appearance before the Sanhedrin was another opportunity to give a testimony about Jesus. And so the temple "police" did not have to use force and clearly were relieved that they did not have to do so!
Atos 5
William MacDonald says "This was an unintentional compliment to the effectiveness of the apostles’ ministry!" G Campbell
Atos 5
William MacDonald - If this Christian religion were not of God, the best thing would be to leave it alone, and it would soon fade out. To combat it would only make it more determined to survive. (This argument is not altogether true. Many godless institutions have flourished for centuries. In fact, they have gained more adherents than the truth. But the argument is true in God’s time, if not in man’s.) (BBC) John Stott - “We should not be too ready to credit Gamaliel with having uttered an invariable principle . . . the Gamaliel principle is not a reliable index to what is from God and what is not.” Kent: The soundness of Gamaliel’s advice may be questioned. It is, of course, true that ultimately God’s program will emerge victorious, and human schemes will perish. It is also true that many times hasty action is foolish because it is taken before all the facts are known. Nevertheless, one cannot always judge from short-term results whether an enterprise is God’s work or not, and we may not have time enough to wait for the final issue. The measure is not the pragmatic one of apparent success, but its conformity to the revealed will of God. Present temporary failures (or successes) may not be final. Or else you may even be found fighting against God - Recall that these are the religious leaders of Israel. They think that their job is defend the honor of God. Of course they are deceived, but because they thought they were fighting for God, they did not want to create a situation in which they would be fighting against God. Fighting against God is theomachos (God-fighting" or "God-fighters") which was used in classical Greek to describe fatal fighting against a so-called god. Acts 5:40 They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. KJV Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. they flogged them Pr 12:10; Mt 10:17; 23:34; Mark 13:9; Luke 20:10; John 19:1-4; 2 Cor 11:24 ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus Acts 5:28; 4:17-21; Isa 30:10; Amos 2:12; Micah 2:6 Acts 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SANDHEDRIN ACQUIESCES TO GAMALIEL'S ARGUMENT They took his advice - The phrase "took his advice" is the verb peitho which means to persuade or convince so the NIV rendering is more accurate - "His speech persuaded them." And after calling the apostles in - A better translation is they "summoned" them because the verb proskaleo is a legal technical term for summoning. Normally the jury comes in to present their verdict, but here is a reversal as the defendants come into before the jury. They flogged them - Notice they inflicted the physical punishment first before giving their commands. The logic may have been surely after a good flogging they will have ears to receive our orders. The Sanhedrin still did not comprehend that these were Spirit filled men, who feared God, not men. And they did not understand that these men had been warned by Jesus that they would be flogged and to be forewarned is to forearmed (Mt 10:17, Mt 23:34 - using related verb mastigoo). Bob