The apostles to the Church continued to do what they must do; what they could not help but do, after Jesus had ascended and the Holy Spirit had descended, indwelling each believer in the new dispensation. They continued to preach and teach and heal in the Name of Jesus. They kept being monitored and threatened by the religious leaders, who were determined to stop this movement. These men were not afraid of them, however, which made that a tough job for the religio-political bosses who were accustomed to having things their way. They really didn't know what to do about it.
When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:27-29
But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”
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. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Acts 5:33-42
The beginning of the persecutions of the Church at Jerusalem only fueled the Holy Spirit's power among the believers. Their testimony became even bolder and more frequent. They stayed together, sharing assets and supplies for the benefit of those among them who might need assistance, and set up an order in the Church. Right away, the Church had to exercise discipline upon two believers who were dishonest in their financial dealings and trying to gain favor with the congregation. That resulted in the sin unto death for both of them, for having publicly lied to the Holy Spirit. Sin unto death removes a believer from this earthly life because of unrepented carnality and bad influence. It is not the same as the unforgivable sin, which can only be committed by unbelievers who reject Jesus Christ and blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Such deception by these believers was totally unnecessary, for they were under no coercion to contribute all their money, which was what they claimed to be doing. They were grandstanding for approbation. They were manifesting pride. (Acts 5:1-11) That was a housecleaning detail in the infant Church. Public evangelism and healing was what got the attention of the Jews.
The apostles kept preaching and healing. The multitudes kept coming to them and "being added to the Lord, both men and women." Acts 5:14. And the religious leaders kept becoming more and more outraged and desperate to do away with these men. They jailed them and an angel set them free to continue their ministries in the temple. They were brought back before the council. The high priest was frantically demanding: You have been ordered to stop teaching in this name! You have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine (KJV), and here's the real problem--you are blaming us for his death! Bingo. In every speech Peter had made he had plainly stated "this Jesus, Whom you killed.." They were sick of that accusation, but they were going to keep hearing it every time Peter spoke. There was a simple solution: "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved." The conspiracy and the betrayal and the murder were forgivable ("they know not what they do"), but total rejection of the atonement of Christ cannot be forgiven.
Peter made it very clear once again: "we must obey God rather than men." And then he hit 'em again with their responsibility for the death of Jesus.
What an outrage! These apostles must be silenced. We will have to kill them.
Enter Gamaliel; Pharisee, expert in the law, highly respected scholarly sage. He ordered the apostles to be removed from their presence while the discussion continued. Then he spoke the first logic we've heard from this body of leaders. Logic and legalism don't blend well. They are mutually exclusive. "This is a dangerous situation. You'd be wise to let these men alone. If what they are doing is of men, it will fizzle out just as other such movements have done. If it is of God, they cannot be stopped and you will find yourselves fighting against God." Wow. What a genius!
Well, they couldn't be released without a flogging (!) and being ordered yet again not to speak in the name of Jesus. The stubborn contempt of those legalists is truly amazing. The apostles took their flogging and their release, praising God that He found them worthy to suffer shame for the Lord.
And they kept on preaching.
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