Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him,
they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and
sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, they did
not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, “We found the
prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened
them we found no one inside.” Now when the captain of the temple and the chief
priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering
what this would come to. And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom
you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” Then the
captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they
were afraid of being stoned by the people. (Act 5:21-26)
“Then the captain with the officers went and brought them,
but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.” The high
priest and the Sadducees won’t stop. As perplexed as they are, as concerned as
they are about what this will come to, they won’t stop. Neither will the
apostles. In the morning they go back to the temple as if nothing has happened.
They preach, and the people listen. When the captain and the guards come the
apostles follow them to trial, they see another opportunity to preach. They
aren’t afraid of the council either. In fact, the council seems to be the party
that is afraid. Even the soldiers are in fear they will be stoned if they try
to arrest the apostles. But the fear does nothing to wisen the council. They
still want to shut the disciples up.
One wonders why the apostles bothered to go. This council
hadn’t shown any willingness to believe. Why preach to them again? I think this
is a problem today. We think the word of God should result in converts. If we
don’t see people converting in droves we assume that the word is not being
preached rightly, that a person isn’t doing his job. But this isn’t necessarily
so. Definitely we pray that the people will be converted. And sure the
disciples understood that the Holy Spirit can even work faith amongst the
senate of the people of Israel, but even if it doesn’t create faith among them
God accomplishes his purpose with his word. The disciples knew that. There job
was to preach, not make converts. To speak the word of God even to those who
did not want to hear it. This they would do.
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