As we continue in chapter 5 of Acts, the church will continue to gain momentum, but the persecution will increase, as well. The next verse (12) tells us the apostles performed “many signs and wonders”. To differentiate between the two, “signs” (semeia) is generally understood to be a miraculous act that can be understood (for example when the man lame from birth was healed in chapter 3). However, “wonders” (teras) appeal to the imagination; and searching for an explanation, the only conclusion that can be reached is that it was supernatural (the violent, rushing wind and tongues of fire at Pentecost).
Now, depending on the translation, the next verse (13) can be a little confusing. This is the King James: “And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.” This goes back to verse 11, “great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” In other words, people knew what had happened to Ananias and Sapphira, joining this group could be hazardous to your health. So, while they no doubt admired those who were part of the church because of the way they were living together and because of the signs and wonders that were proof of God’s presence; they were wary of joining them. Again, as mentioned in the last lesson, God is protecting the church from anything that would quench the Spirit and rob the church of its power. This discouraged the disingenuous from taking advantage of the situation.
However, in spite of the fear brought about by the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, more and more people were “added to the Lord” (verse 14). The notoriety of Peter and the apostles began to draw people from other towns and villages nearby and everyone that was either sick or vexed with unclean spirits were healed (verses 15-16).
We should note at this point the wording of verse 16, “bringing the sick, and those who were vexed with unclean spirits”. I underlined “and” to emphasize this point: these two conditions are always mentioned separately and should be understood as two different things. In other words, the different categories of sickness, whether described as sickness, infirmity, physical weakness or disease is never connected to unclean spirits. On the other hand, those vexed with unclean spirits usually exhibit some form of mental torment or physical aberration such as unusual strength or destructive behavior (compare Matthew 4:24, Mark 1:32-34, Luke 7:21).
Now the opposition of the religious establishment resumes. Verse 17 tells us the high priest and the Sadducees were “filled with indignation”. Remember, the Sadducees didn’t believe in a resurrection, making the apostle’s message especially repugnant. So, they rounded up the apostles and put them in the public jail (verse 18).
I absolutely love this next verse, “But that night the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and led them out.” I have to change the subject just a little here. I’m reminded of Luke’s account of Zechariah’s encounter with “the angel of the Lord” in Luke 1:5-25. When Zechariah doubted what the angel told him about the birth of John, to support what he was saying the angel replied, “I am Gabriel, I stand in the very presence of God and have been sent here to tell you this good news.” I mention this simply to make a point, which is, that when God says something, it will come to pass in exactly the manner and timing that He has determined. I don’t have to give references to prove this true in the past. You have only to read the Old Testament to find numerous examples. To further the point, those things that God has promised in the future are just as sure. Think about it, the rapture, the resurrection, the tribulation, the second coming, Christ’s earthly kingdom, the New Jerusalem and God’s home with men on the eternal earth (all to be explained in detail in future lessons) are all just as real as the birth of John the Baptist.
Back to the subject, the angel then tells them to go right back to the temple and continue preaching the message of life (verse 20). That next morning the Sanhedrin and all the elders of Israel gathered to try to figure out how to stop this movement from growing any larger. And when they sent to have the apostles brought to them, the temple guard reported they were not there, though the jail was secure. And when the high priest and the captain of the temple guard heard this, they didn’t know what to think and probably wondered what would happen next (verse 21-24).
If you remember, Jesus had predicted the future destruction of Jerusalem, and He had said the reason for it was their rejection of the Messiah. And, of course, what is happening now and as future events unfold, you see this rejection acted out. The “signs and miracles” being described in these early chapters of Acts are nothing more than an example of God’s mercy and grace towards the people of Jerusalem. This is deadly serious. And what is happening here only further illustrates the ignorance, hard heartedness and outright hatred of the religious establishment. The more God works to show Himself and validate His Son, the more their rebellion grows.
To be more specific, He doing these things to accomplish two purposes at the same time: He wants to strengthen believers to prepare them for what must come in the future and He wants to give the Jews more opportunity to recognize truth. Let’s break it down this way; He wants to encourage the apostles to continue doing what they’re doing. Being arrested and put in jail was no obstacle or reason to be discouraged. Instead, God uses the situation to bolster their courage. He’s proving they’re under His care.
Then He’s showing the Jewish leaders that they’re not fighting against men, but God (a conclusion they will eventually realize, though it will not stop them, as incredible as it might seem). And, He’s giving them one reproof after another by protecting the apostles and by multiplying their number of followers (yet the Jews continue and even increase their persecutions). Then, finally, He’s giving these Jews more time to repent of their evil (but to no avail).