March 17, 2024 -- Acts 5:33-42 -- Persecuted, bowed down, but not defeated

When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Acts 5:33-42 ESV

Peter and the apostles were put in prison for preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. The religious leaders are incensed at Jesus, fighting against Jesus by fighting against His disciples. The words of Jesus are proven true “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” John 15:20. Believers should expect to face persecution for the Name of Jesus. Believers live in a way that contradicts the values of the world, their dedication to Jesus reveals the lawlessness of the human heart and shows the need each man, woman and child has for the rescuing work of Jesus.

In every age there will be false teachers. Then in the New Testament era there were Theudas and his four hundred. They amounted to nothing. Judas the Galilean, plus many others in the New Testament some named, many not named are exposed as false. Some teachers, in their pride and lack of Bible knowledge, tried to bring Christians back to the Old Testament system of sacrifices and festivals, or they sought to institute new, heretical (that is, any teaching opposed to God the Father, God the Son, and God and the Holy Spirit) practices. This is the wickedness of the Free Masons who mix Old and New practices and paganism with no regard for the Word of God. In every era and age there will be false prophets and teachers.

Know the Bible. Read it. Memorize it. Listen to godly preaching. So that you will be able to discern the wicked, gross lies from the glorious, beautiful Truth that is found in Jesus Christ and in Him alone. As you grow in your knowledge of the Word you will grow in your ability to spot a liar and a false teacher.

It is Sunday. Get to a Bible-believing church. Know the blessedness of walking in obedience to Jesus Christ and sharing in His sufferings and His glory.

Father in heaven blessed be Your Name, now and forever more. Thank You for the love You demonstrated to Your people in Jesus Christ, through Whom sinners are brought from death to life. Spirit of the Living God, help the followers of Jesus Christ to delight in the Word, to study it and through it to know the Savior Jesus Christ ever more fully and perfectly. By this, Counselor-Spirit, help the true children of the Father to discern what is true and to distinguish it from what is false. Enable believers to stand firm in the the battle, taking up the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. Triune God, give to Your people the ability to patiently explain the glories of the Gospel to those who are hungry; give the fortitude needed to call out every false way and divergent path that would lead people further and further away from Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/cY6k2QhdCn0?si=mVLb59j6OGvI6c4O “How Firm A Foundation”

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