Acts Chapter 5 Verses 26-32 

Acts 5:26 “Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”

“Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.”  The captain and the officers had a better understanding and compassion than the high priest, Sadducees, council, and senate.  They properly feared and respected the opinion of the people for the good works the apostles had done to the sick and afflicted people that had been healed. 

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council:” The captain and officers had done their job.

 “And the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.”  In asking this question the high priest assumed that he had more authority than the one responsible for the miracles that were manifest.  God was responsible for the miracles that were manifest as anyone could have surmised.  In the high priest’s accusation, he inferred that preaching the doctrine of grace and using the gift’s God had given to show compassion to the poor and needy was somehow going to bring the wrath of Rome upon the nation of Israel.  The high priest showed that he preferred the bondage to Rome if he could keep his power and influence over the obedience to God. 

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”  What a profound statement Peter makes here and one that all of us should be willing to do.  Unfortunately, too often God’s people succumb to obey the dictates of sinful rulers rather than obeying God. 

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.  Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”  Peter rightly accuses the rulers and leaders of the people of being guilty of slaying the Lord Jesus Christ whom God raised up from the dead and is now exalted by God to be a Prince and a Saviour.  One who has given repentance and forgiveness of sins.  “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”  The apostles were witnesses of those things along with the Holy Ghost and this was manifest by the miracles and signs being done on the people.   

Verses 33-40

Acts 5:33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.”

“When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.”  This shows forth the murderous nature and intent of the high priest, the Sadducees, the council, and the senate.  It didn’t matter how much the power and compassion of God was manifest, they intended to wipe out those who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

“Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;” This Gamaliel, who was in such reputation among the people, put forth a strong argument why they should refrain from their evil intent at this time.

“And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.  For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.  After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.”  The argument he puts forth here is that if the apostles are not truly what they say they are then it will all come to naught and all their followers will perish. 

“And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”  Gamaliel’s logic is obviously sound here and has proven true for over 2000 years now.  Thus the work is of God and has not been overthrown nor will it ever be overthrown, though wicked men continue to try to wipe out those who call upon the name of the Lord. 

“And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.”  As we will see, beating the apostles and commanding them not speak in the name of Jesus will not stop the apostles.  Thankfully, persecution has not stopped the gospel ministry of Jesus Christ from continuing to proclaim the name of the Lord and the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Verses 41-42 

Acts 5:41 “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” 

We might ask, “Why would the apostles rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ?”  They knew the horrible shame that Jesus suffered to redeem them from their sins along with all the elect family of God.  Thus, it was a cause of rejoicing to be able to suffer shame for His name. 

With all the warnings and beatings that the apostles had undergone at the hands of the high priests, Sadducees, council, and senate of the people, yet they continued with resolve as Peter had said, “We ought to obey God rather than man.  Therefore, daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.  These who had journeyed with Jesus and had been witnesses of his death and resurrection, were not worried what man might do to their bodies; for they knew that they had a home in heaven awaiting them after this life is over. 

Moreover, notice that their teaching and preaching Jesus Christ was daily, not only in the temple but in every house.  This shows forth the zeal not only of the apostles, but also the zeal of the people and their desire to learn more about Jesus.  They were teaching the scriptures to the people and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ daily.  What a contrast that is to what we see today.  Many of God’s people don’t seem to be able to make it to the place of worship even once a week.  How few of those who claim to be the disciples of Jesus Christ today would even consider having studies and worship in their homes.