Ananias and Sapphira have just died for trying to keep allegiances in both worlds and lying in front of God and the whole church.  A tremendous respect mixed with a holy fear fell upon all involved as well as onlookers of the church.  Healing ministry surged in such a way that none could ignore the obvious amazement sweeping Jerusalem.  The Sanhedrin and Pharisees were going into frantic mode as they were very much not the center of attention on the religious stage these days.  Jealousy would soon consume them if it hadn’t already.  It’s summer 29 A.D.  Rome has had jurisdiction over Israel for 99 years now.  Where were things headed?

 

5:17-42 – So what do the Pharisees/Sanhedrin do to the Apostles who are being a magna-blessing to the entire population of Jerusalem? They jail them!  No problem for God here as they are angelically freed, recommissioned, and back in the Temple Courts preaching by dawn.  Notice that when the men are summoned back before the Sanhedrin they are brought in escort style v.s. harrassed, arrested, and drug in.  It is because they feared being stoned to death by the crowd who was being so blessed by the recently arrested Apostles.  Take note here folks – when you are a blessing to an entire city, even though you may offend a local politician, you will be protected by the people – and by God for that matter.  So minister powerfully, not sheepishly!  The courtroom drama begins and then Gamaliel stands to take command with wisdom that still echoes down the halls of history.  It serves for us as a strong reminder to be on the side of God when kingdoms clash.  We will be involved in conflicts and squabbles in life and whatever we do, we don’t want to be found fighting against God.  It’s perplexing and even a bit astonishing that the Sanhedrin proceed as such:  they agree with Gamaliel, they call in the Apostles, they whip them, they order them to be quiet, they dismiss them.  The Apostles depart as happy as circus clowns!  How do you punish someone that giggles after being spanked?!  This drove the religious leaders even crazier as the tesimony of Jesus only spread.

 

6 – Luke (the author of Acts) inserts a story of church housekeeping as the issue of caring for widows arises.  The hub-bub of evangelism, the healing, the aftermath, and the sinister attempt to counter it all against God’s miraculous deeds is overwhelming the young church – distracting her in a matter.   This detail that had slipped most people’s minds was the geriatric.  This gets solved expeditiously as wise and spiritual men are assigned to administrate in the care of widows.  This ministry aspect is instituted as a bylaw (if we can borrow that term) and the care of widows is secured.    The story of Saint Stephen walks on to the biblical stage at this point.  Did you notice that the same tactics used against Stephen were the exact ones used by the evil Queen Jezebel -I Kings 21- in getting Naboth arrested, accused and executed?  Did you see that?  In order to arrest a wise, godly, and Spirit-filled man, lies must be employed.  The truth does not work against the Truth.  Keep that in mind.  So Stephen is lied about then falsely testified against, and Moses is brought up as the one Stephen is talking about removing from prominence.  We can almost hear Stephen thinking, “you think I am against Moses? For real?  OK, let’s look at our history and we’ll talk about Moses too…the man you claim I am sidelining.”  The Sanhedrin were sitting down for this by the way.

 

7:1-53 – Stephen had their attention.  With angelic poise, he commenced.  No stranger to Jewish history, he speaks of Abraham’s calling, travels, and prophetic word from God about his people.  The ordinances, the patriarchs, Joseph and the time in Egypt with Pharaoh, the famine and family reunion in Egypt, Stephen tells their story.  The growth and eventual oppression in Egypt becoming intolerable, this gave cause to bring up a savior figure and they received this in Moses.  Stephen runs through Moses’ history.  We must assume that line by line, the Sanhedrin are pleased with this storytime and nodding, “go on, go on.”  Moses’ birth and childhood were dramatic.  His regal upbringing is as unique as anything ever told.  His misguided attempt at justice at 40, then 40 years in Midian, and his Calling are the stuff of legend.  Stephen still has them eating out of his hand, btw.  His first hint at the embarrassing similarities between the Israelites’ attitude in the wilderness and the attitudes of the Temple staff is made about 3/4 of the way through his monologue to the Sanhedrin.  Stephen isn’t done.  He recounts the history of the Israelites’ grievous desire to return to paganism, to idol worship, their slouching into Molech’s hideous cult.  Stephen talks about the Tabernacle and the house of God as aids in getting to know their Redeemer.  Then with stark insinuation Stephen brings it home, “…that you here in your robes are the keepers of the “house of God” and yet you are fighting the movings of God – exactly the attitude that drove Israel/Judah to Exile in Babylon 615 years ago!  You guard the house of God?!  You represent God?!…”  He hits them like David hit Goliath leveling them as guilty of every wrong done in Hebrew history.  They embodied supreme disobedience while acting they are the tutors for God.    Were the leaders mad that they had become the object of this protracted speech?  Were they grateful at the correction?  If they are mad (we have asked this before) are they mad because Stephen is wrong or because Stephen is right?  Speak for God whatever the case or consequences are.