Words from the Lord:
"Stay innocent in Me, and keep your obedience before Me, no matter what people say or do against you in this world. Keep walking in what I have spoken for you to be and to do. I will know how to defend you. I will raise up the right people to favor you and open the door for you."
When we talk about innocence, obedience, and the Lord knows how to defend and vindicate us, preachers usually preach about David. But today, we shall go to the New Testament instead, on the innocence and obedience of the early apostles in the early church, and how the Lord defended and vindicated them.
Soon after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached a message where three thousand souls were saved on that day. And then, a lame man was healed by the power of Jesus through Peter and John. Many people marveled at what had happened. The power of God was clearly evident for them to see. The Lord was using these apostles mightily, and many people were saved, healed and delivered; and many signs and wonders were done among the people.
Acts 5:14-16 (NKJV) says, 'And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also, a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.'
Do you see that? Notice these words '...and they were all healed'.
Great and mighty things were happening through the apostles at that time, and the power of God was at work!
However, some people were not happy, and they were feeling threatened.
Acts 5:17-18 (NKJV) says, 'Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles (i.e. arrested the apostles) and put them in the common prison...'
Even then, something wonderful and supernatural happened.
Acts 5:19-20 (NKJV) says, 'But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."'
So, these apostles then went back to that temple and continued to preach the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ to the people.
Acts 5:22-23 (NKJV) says, 'When the officers came and did not find them (the apostles) in the prison, they returned and reported, saying, "Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors. But when we opened them, we found no one inside!"'
Acts 5:24-25 (NKJV) says, 'Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priest heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. So one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"'
Imagine how shocked the high priest, the captain of the temple, the chief priest, and all those in the authority were at that time, upon hearing that the apostles have escaped from the prison and went back to the temple to preach to the people!
And of course they felt threatened and indignant.
Acts 5:26-28 (NKJV) says, 'The captain of the temple went with the officers and brought them (the apostles) without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intent to bring this Man's blood on us!"'
But look here. Acts 5:29.(NKJV) says, 'But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men."' This is our key Bible verse for today. Look at the innocence of these apostles. Look at the obedience of these apostles. And no matter what threat came against them, they stayed innocent and obedient before the Lord!
You see, as for Peter and all these apostles, they couldn't help but to preach Jesus, because Jesus was so real to them! These apostles were eye witnesses how Jesus died and resurrected, and how He appeared to them after His resurrection. Forty days later, He ascended to heaven right before their eyes. And ten days after He ascended, they experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. They also saw how miracles, signs and wonders happened right before their eyes. So, these apostles were just preaching and sharing about how real Jesus is!
Acts 5:30-32 (NKJV) says, 'Peter and these apostles said, "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."'
You see, the apostles saw how real Jesus is, and how real the Holy Spirit is! As they shared to the people, and with the accompanied signs, wonders and miracles happening right before the people's eyes, many believed!
And that's why all those who were in authority were feeling very threatened.
Acts 5:33-39 (NKJV) says, 'So when all these people in authority, they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill these apostles. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and he commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he (Gamaliel) said to them, "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men... And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it - lest you even be found to fight against God."'
What an advice from Gamaliel!
You see, God knows how to raise up a Gamaliel to defend the apostles!
It is the same in your situation, in your ministry, and in all that the Lord has put in your heart to do! He will know how to raise up a 'Gamaliel' for you. So, fear not! Be bold and be very courageous to walk in His command for you and His blueprint for you. He will know how to defend you, just as He defended these early apostles at that time.
By the way, the name 'Gamaliel' is from two Hebrew words: 'Gawmal' and 'El'. 'El' means 'God', and 'Gawmal' means 'to deal fully, to deal adequately'.
To put it back into this context of how Gamaliel defended these early apostles, God will know how to deal fully with His people's situation!
In your context, it is the same! God will know how to deal fully with your situation, no matter how some people may threaten you or come against you!
So, fear God, and not man. Man may speak ill against you. Man may try to persecute you. Man may try to do harm against you. But God will know how to defend you and vindicate you - as long as you stay innocent before Him and stay obedient before Him. Amen!
