What Was I That I Could Withstand the Love of Jesus - Part 635

Today's Scripture: "And when the captain and the officers had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, "Did not we straightly command you that ye should not teach in this name? And, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." (Acts 5:27-28)

If you have an opportunity to read the book of Acts, you should. In fact, you will not be disappointed. Not only is the content inspiring, but it reveals significant insights into the formation of the early church and the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit. "For as much then as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us, who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ -- what was I that I could withstand God?"

In Acts 5, we learn that the earlier prophecy of servant David from the old covenant had been fulfilled. Jesus had already risen from the dead and His apostles and followers were being persecuted for their beliefs. Still, as the scriptures state, even in the midst of this pointed persecution, the apostles collectively lifted up their voices to God with one accord and said, "Lord, thou art God that hast made heaven and earth and the sea and all that in them is; who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, "Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ." (Acts 4:24-26)

Throughout, the apostles were aware of the threats being spoken against them but that did not stop them. Instead, the apostles prayed that the Lord would grant confidence unto His servants so that they might speak the Word with boldness. As we read, their prayer was definitely answered. For when they prayed, "the place was shaken with boldness where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they spake the Word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:29-31) As a consequence, the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul. More importantly, believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. (Acts 5:14)

When we think about it, why wouldn't men and women want to believe? By the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people. The sick and those vexed with unclean spirits were literally brought into the streets and laid on beds and couches to be healed ... so "that at the least the shadow of Peter passing might overshadow some of them." (Acts 5:15) And they were healed every one. Not one of those individuals who were afflicted with illness were left in their misery. "With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all, and neither were any among them that lacked."

But the high priest and all that were with him from the sect of the Sadducees were filled with indignation. Indeed, the priests were concerned that as the apostles went from place to place preaching the good news message of Jesus, that more and more people were believing in Him. As a result, the sect was losing its status and power. So what did they do? They laid their hands on the apostles and put them into the common prison. (Acts 5:17-18)

But as we know, man-made prisons were not going to prevent Jesus' name from being preached. That night, the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and set them free so that the apostles could continue to teach the people in the temple "all the words of this life." This was unbeknownst to the sect leaders.

When they finally discovered that the prison was empty -- even though the keepers were still standing outside the closed prison doors -- the high priest and the captain of the temple collectively with the chief priests and the senate of the children of Israel and all that were with them -- brought the apostles to the council. There the high priest asked them, "Did not we straightly command you that ye should not teach in His name?" That is, the name of Jesus?

Peter and the other apostles replied saying, "We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him." (Acts 5:29-32)

When the high priests heard this, they were cut to the heart and took counsel to slay them. But in their midst was a reputable doctor of the law -- a lawyer -- who commanded to put the apostles forth a little space. He said, "Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be a somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred joined themselves; who was slain, and all, as many as obeyed him were scattered and brought to naught. A similar demise happened with Judas of Galilee.

The lawyer continued. "Refrain from these men and let them alone. For if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nothing but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply you be found even to fight against God. And to the lawyer they agreed; and when they had called the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, before letting them go.

As expected, the apostles departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame and suffering for His name. The name of Jesus Christ. The one and only mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus who gave Himself as a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (I Timothy 2:5-6) The same Christ Jesus who came into the world to save sinners. (Acts 1:15) The same Jesus who loved us enough to shed His precious blood on a cross so that you and I could be filled with His joy and peace.

The Bible states, "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we -- [men and women] -- must be saved." (Acts 4:12)  "Whosoever believes in Jesus shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:43) And like the believers in Acts, Jesus never fails. Rejoice in your salvation today. Ask Jesus into your life. Stand in the offering plate.