Persecution hurts. And yet… when Jesus’ disciples were persecuted for his name they rejoiced! Today we’ll look at how they could rejoice in the face of persecution.

Last week in episode 8 of the God’s Word, Today’s World podcast, we had a look at how when we repent of sin, God takes our ugly life and makes it beautiful. When we repent of sin, we cease to be slaves to sin, but we have a new master, God.

We also saw that we can damage our testimony by refusing to give up sin in our life, but… when we repent of that sin, our freedom from it can become a part of our testimony because it’s a personal example of God’s forgiveness, grace and mercy.

Today’s episode ties back to an event we looked at a few weeks ago.

Peter and John were thrown in prison overnight and then questioned by priests. They were told to stop speaking about Jesus, to which Peter and John responded in Acts 4:19-20 (NIV): “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

In Acts 5, we see them doing exactly what they said they would: continuing to speak about Jesus. Acts 5:12-42 (WEB):

12 By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done amongst the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 13 None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honoured them. 14 More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. 15 They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at least his shadow might overshadow some of them. 16 The multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed.

17 But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy 18 and laid hands on the apostles, then put them in public custody. 19 But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out and said, 20 “Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”

21 When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But the officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”

24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this. 25 One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.

27 When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.”

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. 32 We are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were determined to kill them. 34 But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honoured by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while. 35 He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. He was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. 38 Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown. 39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”

40 They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for Jesus’ name.

42 Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.

The disciples were warned to no longer speak of Jesus, but they knew they needed to follow Jesus’ command to be his witnesses. And so despite being warned in Acts 2 to keep silent about Jesus, they met together in a public place, Solomon’s Colonnade. Crowds gathered around them, even from the towns around Jerusalem. People brought their sick in the hopes that Peter’s shadow might fall on some and heal them. And Luke records that all were healed. Not from Peter’s shadow, not from Peter’s power, but from the Holy Spirit through Peter.

Of course, all this earned them a lot of attention from the high priest and his associates. Filled with jealousy that the Apostles were more respected and honoured than they, they arrested the Apostles.

But they were fighting against God, they weren’t fighting against mere men. An angel of the Lord released them from prison and the next day the Apostles continued to teach.

So the Apostles were once again brought before the Sanhedrin and the high priest says, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

This response is a sad example of the lies they were willing to tell to keep their power.

They claimed that the Apostles were trying to make them guilty of Jesus’ death. They very conveniently ignored the very words they spoke to Pilate during Jesus’ trial.

Matthew 27:20-25 (WEB):

20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

They said, “Barabbas!”

22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus who is called Christ?”

They all said to him, “Let him be crucified!”

23 But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?”

But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!”

24 So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”

25 All the people answered, “May his blood be on us and on our children!”

The chief priests and elders were there when Jesus was sentenced. And they all responded with, “His blood is on us and our children!”

Now, a few months later, however, they don’t want that responsibility. They don’t want to be known as being responsible for Jesus’ death and they’re angry at the Apostles for saying that they killed Jesus.

The Apostles, however, stand by what they said last time Peter and John were before the Sanhedrin. They declared that they would continue to tell the truth of what happened, no matter the consequences. “We must obey God rather than human beings!”

They were willing to die for the truth.

Then, while many were furious and screaming for the Apostles’ blood, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, ordered the Apostles be put outside so he could talk to the Sanhedrin.

This, by the way, is the same Gamaliel whom Paul studied under.

Gamaliel gives two examples of revolts led by men, in both, when the leader died, the