Persecution - Acts 5

²⁷ The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. ²⁸ “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

²⁹ Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! ³⁰ The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. ³¹ God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. ³² We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” - Acts 5:27-32

Peter and John have already been through this once before.  Peter and John had been told to not preach the gospel anymore.  This time it is all the apostles who are brought in after miraculously being brought out of jail during the night and who were found preaching the gospel in the temple courts.

The first time Peter and John responded asking the Sanhedrin a question, “But Peter and John replied, '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.' (Acts 4:19-20).”  This time, they answer the question for the Sanhedrin.  "We must obey God rather than human beings."  

Each time Peter preaches the gospel message and the counsel members are unwilling to receive it. 

For me, an interesting human occurrence is happening.  Both sides believe they are doing the right thing for the same God.  The apostles believe they are following God’s directions through the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit.  The Sanhedrin believe they are doing the right thing in following their interpretation of God’s law and protecting the society and traditional church.

The difference here, to me, is actions.  God is with the apostles and it is evidenced by what is happening around them.  The first time they were brought to the Sanhedrin they had healed a lame man who had been that way since birth.  Now, there are many signs, wonder, and healings surrounding what they are doing.  People are bringing all the sick to them for healing.  A miraculous jail break has occurred under the authority of the Sanhedrin.

On the Sanhedrin side of things, nothing of note has occurred.  There are no spectacular or wondrous events happening.  

The sin here is idol worship.  The Sanhedrin idolize their own goodliness and value their intelligence and “clean” walk according to the laws.  They believe that because of THEIR actions they are more important and valuable than others.  If any of us humans ever believe that we are not the same humans as everyone else, but better in some way, then we must believe that somehow, we are gods, a partial god, or a super hero of some kind.  I sincerely doubt anyone ever thinks of themselves in this way, but it is their reality.  Either way, it is idol worship.

This is the original sin and the root of all sin, to be like God.  “’You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman.  ^‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” (Genesis 3:4-5).  The Sanhedrin believed they knew good and evil, but they did not see that they were evil and only God is good.  Jesus taught this.  A young ruler called Him “good teacher” while asking a question.  Jesus responded saying, “’Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good—except God alone.’” (Luke 18:19).

If we believe we are good, then we are as evil as the Sanhedrin.  We are sinners and if God wasn’t in our life we’d be sinning for our own benefit even now.  We are men and women and we are sinners.  God is Lord and we are not.  We are dependent upon His mercy to love us and His grace so provide a way to Him, and that way is Jesus.

Isaiah wrote (30:1) “’Woe to the rebellious children,’ says the Lord, ‘Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin … (9-10) this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the Lord; who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.’”

The Sanhedrin is taking counsel, but with one another.  They make plans, but apart from the Holy Spirit.  We are told multiple times that the apostles have the Holy Spirit upon them.  They are making plans in accordance with the Holy Spirit.  The Sanhedrin is telling the prophets, the ones performing signs, healing people, and proclaiming witness to Jesus to not speak the truth.  They fit the description from Isaiah of rebellious children, devising plans, and not hearing the law of the Lord.

((On a person note: Such things happen in relationships.  Two different sides with both sides thinking they are correct.  Often, both sides think they are spiritually right.  It causes very difficult circumstances.  However, it seems like it is possible to look at the spiritual walk of people at least somewhat.  We will never truly know their heart, but what they take pride in, what they value on social media, and what their actions are help us to "see" or figure out who is following God and who is following themselves.  Answering questions such as, How has the Spirit of God led you to do (name an action they have done)" is very helpful when trying to resolve if someone is following their own actions or not.  This type of question is also very helpful when doing analysis on your own actions.))