Acts 5:17-20

IN THE PRISON. Acts 5:17-20

17

But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,

18

and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.

19

But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,

20

Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.

Acts 5:17 This was too much for the high priest and the Sadducees. They could bear it no longer. Luke gives a picturesque word respecting the anger of the high priest and the Sadducees. He says. The high priest rose up, and all that were with him. As if they could sit still no longer. They could no longer witness this flagrant disobedience to their command. If the disobedience of these men had not caused such an interest among the people the high priest might have overlooked it, but how he was filled with jealousy.

Acts 5:18 These authorities came much as they had before, and laid hands upon the apostles and put them in the public ward. It will be of import to realize that all twelve of the apostles were jailed upon this occasion.

When man has reached his extremity, then it is that there is afforded to God an opportunity. The extremity had been reached. An emergency had arisen. What would have happened to the cause if all twelve of the apostles had been tried and condemned? This was exactly the plan of the Sanhedrin, not to stop with two of them, but to silence all twelve once and for all.

Acts 5:19 Hebrews 1:14 states that the angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation.

Upon this occasion God gave to one of these ministers a special task. the task of opening those doors that were only shut to the power of men. And so it was that the apostles had an angelic visitor in the quiet of the early morning hours. To their unspeakable amazement the angel opened the prison doors and lead them out. Why were they thus delivered? The angel answered this question when he had led them out under the stars of the Syrian sky.

173.

What events had transpired that incited the wrath of the high priest?

174.

What is the picturesque statement Luke gives that describes the wrath of the high priest?

175.

What is there about the second arrest that is different from the first?

176.

What was the purpose in the arrest of all twelve apostles?

Acts 5:20 Can you imagine the apostles with incredulous gaze searching the face of the angel for a reason for their freedom? Perchance the hearts of the apostles were troubled as they communed together in the dark of the prison; Why has God permitted this? Why has God thus dealt with us? If our message is what He wants preached why has He thus permitted us to be confined? Maybe He does not intend that we should speak any more in His name. All of these questions were answered, all of their fears were dispelled when the angel said: Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.

177.

What question do you imagine was in the minds of the apostles upon their release by the angel? How was it answered?