v13 “But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.”
It’s funny how we lose our friends and associates as Christ becomes more evident in us. New converts experience this phenom. One part is a work of the Spirit in us so that old, worldly things go away – they turn us off. This includes people. However, it also holds true that darkness hates the light. As the light of Christ shines in us, people dont want to be exposed. Finally, there becomes a holy reverence where people know that God is present in one’s life and dare not to tread too closely upon the “holy ground” where that person walks. They respect them but do not want to get near them as we see with the apostles.
v12 points out to all of the miracles taking place. We see a great increase in the number of converts – so much so that folks line up the sick in the streets & alleys hoping that peter’s shadow would fall on them. This was real power – big power coming off of Peter.
v16 folks from neighboring cities were coming together in Jerusalem for this. Also, the sick and afflicted with unclean spirits were coming too. The translation of NASB has “or” unclean spirits and makes a note that it could be “and”. “And they were being healed.” There was a great release of power at the start of the church.
With 2 billiion people not knowing Christ today, why should there be any less release? Lord, open up heaven and pour out Your power!
v17 we can expect the spirit of jealousy to rise up in the religious when God is moving through those that dont hold the official “office” reserved for the high priests of today
They got thrown into jail, and an angel broke them out that night. v20 shows that angels do speak to humans.
v29 “We must obey God rather than men.”
v32 “And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
Gamaliel, a Pharisee challenged the council not to klll the apostles stating precedence in Theudas and Judas of Galilee, both having their own little uprisings that fell away. His reasoning was that if God were in it, they would only be arguing against God Himself.
Gamaliel = “reward of God”; very esteemed Jewish man, was called “Rabban” – one of 7 to do be.
Theudas was a false prophet and stirred and uprising of roughly 400 religious men at the time, they were later caught, and Theudas was beheaded
Judas of Galilee – stirred up a sedition of the Jews around AD 6, right after Jesus was born. Ended up scattered and in Cyrine
v39 if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. As much as we try, we cannot stop a God thing.