This whole section is supposed to point us to the truth and reality of Christianity. Here are five reasons why:
1: What happens when you are arrested and thrown in jail by the Jewish leaders? Is this the end? Is it all over? No – an ‘angel of the Lord’ comes and frees the apostles and tells them to preach in the temple courts (v19-20). If you ever wanted divine vindication, then this was it. If you ever wanted assurance that God was on your side, then look no further. An angel of the Lord appears and frees them and commands them to keep telling people about this ‘new life’ (v20). This little episode with the comedy of the Jewish leaders finding the jail empty (v21-25) is a big statement on whose side God is on – which, as we’ll see, is the essence of Gamliel’s speech later. God is very much present in this movement!
2: This is made even clearer when we notice that the apostles’ teaching and preaching is done in the temple courts. If we look back to v12 we see all the believers met in ‘Solomon’s Colonnade’, and then we also see it right at the end of this section in v42 – the apostles in complete disregard for the Sanhedrin’s threats, go back to the temple every single day despite their flogging. And we read as well that in v20-21 that as per the angel’s instructions they go and teach the people in the temple courts. Why is this significant?
In the place where God’s special presence used to be, in the place where the Jews come in order to atone for sin and know life – the new temple of God gathers (Ephesians 2:19-22) and tells people about God’s special presence in the flesh and blood of Jesus, who gives ‘new life’. As the Sanhedrin are filled with jealousy (v17), become fearful (v26) and are furious (v33) at this new movement – they can do nothing but watch as their precious temple is used as the main meeting ground for the New Covenant people of God. A new temple is being built upon the old, not with new foundations of stone but with better foundations – the apostles and prophets – and from them the people of God are being built. The temple was always a visible sign of God’s favour and now we see his favour rest on the those who follow Jesus.
3: The message of Peter and the apostles in v29-32 is further evidence that God is with them. Why? Because God raised Jesus from the dead (v30)! The Jews thought being hung on the cross (v30) was a sign of God’s curse and it was (Deut 21:23), something Paul will make explicit (see Gal 3:13) – but the amazing thing is that Jesus did not stayed cursed. He rose from the grave, defeating death and then God vindicated him by exalting him (literally lifting him up) to his right hand side as Prince and Saviour, ‘that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins’ (v31). From being cursed on the cross, to dead in the tomb, we now have this amazing reversal – Jesus is risen, and not just risen from death, but risen higher to sit next to God in the place of honour at his right hand side! Again – if you want divine approval look no further. The resurrected Jesus sitting at God’s right hand side is all the proof you need. The Sanhedrin understood this, which was why they were furious (v33), for this was utter blasphemy if it wasn’t true.
But Peter doesn’t stop there – he says to the Sanhedrin – what is more, we are witnesses of these things. And not just us but ‘the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him’ (v32). He’s using their OT category of needing two or more witnesses (Deut 19:15) to show them this is truth.
4: Gamaliel then speaks up and offers some wisdom. He points to past new movements that have come and failed miserably,[1] and says, ‘Therefore, in the present case I advise you: leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God’ (v38-39). What amazing wisdom – you can’t fight against God if it is true. The Romans will crush it like they crush everything else. Except – we know the Romans didn’t crush it – the rest of Acts, in fact the next two thousand years is testament to that: this really is from God. But one can’t help but think Gamaliel should know this already, considering the events of this chapter!
5: Finally, as the apostles rejoiced ‘because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name’ (v41),[2] we are meant to see a little re-production of Jesus’ trial and suffering. They were witnesses to it all – and now were experiencing a small taste of Jesus’s passion. Why would the apostles rejoice in something and endure suffering for a lie? When they were first-hand witnesses to it all? They had nothing to gain and everything to lose. Unless what they saw and witnessed was true. I might sincerely believe, I might think Christianity is plausible and historically reliable, but at the end of the day I believe based on faith – these apostles saw the resurrected Jesus and believed based on sight (John 20: 27-29). So, don’t believe me – believe them. They saw it.
[1] The identity of Theudas is disputed because according to Josephus there was a Theudas who revolted between AD 44-46 but this would be ten years or more after the events recorded in Acts. Did Luke get his dates wrong? Colin Hemer states, ‘it is possible that Josephus rather than Luke is wrong. It is not altogether impossible that there was an earlier Theudas’. For more see, Colin J. Hemer, The Book of Acts in the Setting of Hellenistic History, pp. 162-163.
[2] Perhaps at this point they also remembered Jesus’ teaching years earlier in Matthew 5:11-12, ‘‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.“
