Acts: Opposing the Gospel, Opposing God Himself: An Introduction.
In exploring some of the inexhaustible wonders of Acts, I have written several series of posts recently: i) a rather lengthy introduction examining some of the various lenses through we can understand Acts (starting with this post); (ii) thinking through the definition of sin after Jesus rose again from the dead (starting here); and (iii) some of the implications of James’ death in Acts 12 (beginning here).
In this new series, I want to work through all of the various forms of opposition we find in Acts because I find it very strange that someone’s reaction to hearing “Jesus rose from the dead” would be “okay, now we have to put you to death. You must die.” We read of these deaths in Acts or in history books and, because these facts are so well accepted, we never stop to consider how outrageous this murderous reaction is.
I can see someone wanting to hurt or even kill you if you say something aggressively or offensively about his mother, his country, his ethnic background, or his beliefs for example. Those reactions, while perhaps not acceptable in polite society, are at least within reach; we can understand them. Someone was attacked, and they reacted. So, to see similar reactions to “Jesus rose again from the dead” suggests the hearers felt attacked or threatened. It’s worth exploring where they may have felt threatened.
I would agree that “Jesus rose again from the dead” is challenging. But threatening? That’s a bit of a puzzle I would like to work through. But there is another aspect of this reaction I think is important to isolate and address; and that is, who the reaction is actually directed at.
Perhaps the various people we read about reacting so strongly thought they were only reacting to Stephen, or Peter, or Paul. But I don’t think that’s completely true. It’s only partially true. They shot the messenger, but I think they were trying to get at the Message, if you will.
Let’s take a look at Gamaliel’s counsel to the Sanhedrin in Acts 5.
But before we hear what he had to say, we need to provide the context. Starting with verse 12 we read that the apostles were performing many signs and wonders among the people, the believers were meeting together in Solomon’s Colonnade, many man and women were being added to church daily, crowds were coming from in and around Jerusalem, and the sick and the demonized were healed and delivered. The Jewish leaders, motivated by jealousy, arrested the apostles, but an angel let them out of jail with the instruction to keep proclaiming this new life in Christ Jesus. They returned straightaway to the place they were arrested the day before.
The apostles were soon brought before the Sanhedrin, and questioned by the high priest:
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name [the Name of Jesus]. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” In other words, we are individual eye witnesses, and so are all these signs and wonders witnesses to this: God raised Jesus from the dead and glorified him. Or, to put a finer point on it, Jesus is Messiah.
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put the apostles to death.
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the apostles be put outside for a little while. When he addressed the Sanhedrin, he said:
Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 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.
“You will find yourselves fighting against God.” That’s the second point we shouldn’t forget with opposition. It’s a point the Lord subsequently makes on the road to Damascus: Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?
