21. When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to t…
We have examined how the restoration of the church's holiness transforms it into a powerful magnet. The apostles went to the temple to preach the gospel, and in that process, despite the world's powers and oppression, God's strength protected them. The rulers of the world were gripped by fear, but the apostles were captivated by God's grace and boldly proclaimed the gospel. We must stand firm in our faith even in the face of worldly threats and trust in God's guidance.
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The power of God breaks through human oppression to spread the gospel
Six days of devotions drawn from this Sunday's sermon — one for each day, Monday through Saturday.
Peter and the apostles declared that it is more important to obey God than to submit to the authorities of the world. In our lives, obedience to God must be our top priority.
Five quick questions from this Sunday's message. Tap an answer to see if you're right.
The apostles ran to the temple to preach the gospel according to the angel's instruction.
Amen. Following the incident of Ananias and Sapphira, we examined how the restoration of the church's holiness transforms the church into a powerful magnet that repels the fake and attracts the genuine. The Sanhedrin, the most powerful institution at that time, was bewildered by this tremendous holy explosive power and activated all their oppression and systems to silence the church. After the incident of Ananias and Sapphira, astonishing signs and wonders occurred within the church. Countless men and women entered the church. I mentioned three thousand, five thousand, and many men and women. Why didn’t I mention exact numbers? That’s right. There were too many to count. The hymn is beautiful. Yes, it says, “There were so many that they could not be counted.” That is exactly what I meant. After that, the sick and the weak—rich people dragging beds, and the poor spreading mats—were lying in the streets. They came with the hope that even if they touched Peter's shadow, they would be healed. Jerusalem was completely in an uproar. Every road was covered with mattresses, the sick were lying down, and the church was filled with believers. Moreover, countless people began to flock to Jerusalem from outside. The church must have a holy awe. Yes, I believe that holy awe restores and revives the church. This happens to everyone. The high priest and those with him—the Sadducee faction—were filled with jealousy. So they arrested the apostles and put them in prison. An angel of the Lord opened the prison doors at night and brought the disciples out. The disciples ran to the temple. They received the command to preach the words of life according to the angel's instructions. Verse 21. They entered the temple at dawn and taught. Now let’s all read the latter part of Verse 21 together. Start: “The high priest and those with him gathered all the elders of the people of Israel and sent to have the apostles arrested.” Yes, it was morning now. The disciples, the apostles, went out to preach the gospel at dawn. As morning came, the high priest and those with him went to work. When they arrived, they saw that this had happened. They summoned all the officials of that time—namely, the elders of the tribes of Israel. Then they sent to have the apostles brought. In the Gospel of Luke and Acts chapter 5, the word “prison” appears several times. It appears at least five times. In chapter 5 alone, it appears five times, and in those five instances, the word “prison” is used in three different ways. You see, a prison is simply a prison. However, Luke uses a different Greek word for “prison” with a special intention and purpose. In Verse 18, he uses the word “teresis.” It means prison, but it is a different Greek word. It signifies a place of shame and humiliation. When the apostles were merely preaching the word, they were arrested and imprisoned, so it was called a public detention center. They were confined in a place where people could see them. This implies that it is a place meant to bring shame and humiliation. In Verse 21, the Greek word *desmoterion* is used. If we look closely at this Greek term, it means a place of bondage and chains. It is the same prison, but there is a word that signifies a place of shame and humiliation and the word *desmoterion* that means being bound in chains. Now, in Verse 22, the word *phulake* is used. This word means a place of watch and guard. Therefore, Luke uses three different Greek words for prison: a place of shame, a place of bondage, and a place of watch and guard. Why, my friends, does Luke bring these different words and continue to add different meanings? It is to remind us of the three meanings of the prison. Furthermore, using these three meanings of prison, he is saying that they are thoroughly confining and watching the apostles. These three different Greek words show that they are shaming, imprisoning, and watching. My friends, despite the authority these apostles had, the scene of them being guarded by chains was merely an empty shell without essence. Now look at Verse 21. They sent to have the apostles brought. Now look at Verse 22. Next, Verse 22. Start. “When the officers went, they did not find the apostles in the prison.” Yes. The word *phulake* was used in Verse 22, which means a place of watch and guard. The officers went. They went to the prison. But the apostles were not in that prison. They went to the place of watch and guard. However, they were thoroughly bound with new chains, being watched, and even guarded, yet they were not there. My friends, how futile is that? They thought they had the most powerful authority in the world, so they imprisoned them and even set guards. They sent people to bring them, but the guards had disappeared. It even mentions that there were guards outside. Look at Verse 23. “We found the prison securely locked, and the guards standing at the doors.” The guards were at the door, but the people were at the door. Nevertheless, the people had disappeared. I believe, my friends, this is the power of God. God blinded their eyes. God is showing us today the power to rescue the apostles from prison with that key. They always believed that their bonds were working perfectly, yet they could not stop the march of the gospel for even a moment. The apostles returned, and look again at Verse 23—now in the text, Verse 23. They reported: “The prison is securely locked, and the guards are standing at the doors, but when we opened the doors, no one was inside.” Now what kind of mindset do these people have? Look at Verse 24. Verse 24 begins: “When the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.” Yes. “What will this come to?” They were perplexed. Here, the word “perplexed” means they were lost and did not know what to do. What did they say, my friends? “What will this come to?” Are they saying this out of genuine curiosity? “What will this come to? Are you excited? What will happen?” Is it a hopeful message? No, my friends, this is a message filled with despair. “What will this come to?” This is not a simple prediction. This is a lament. “What on earth could happen next? We are doomed. We kept watch, but they have vanished. There are guards and locks, yet the people have disappeared. What on earth is happening? This is a disaster. Is this our power?” The powers of the world believed they could control everything, but they were reduced to powerless beings in the face of the supernatural event. The expression “What will this come to?” is a form of pleading in Greek, but it is used only about 60 times in the New Testament. It is a very rare occurrence. This means they are confessing feelings of despair, frustration, and a sense that the sky is falling, not just making a simple prediction. In this confusion, urgent information arrives for the lost powers of the world. Verse 25 begins: “Someone came and told them, ‘Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.’” Here, “prison” refers to the place of watch and guard, *phulake*. Someone came and told them. This specific person, a witness, stepped forward. “The men whom you put in prison are breaking through the guard and teaching the people in the temple.” It seems as if they are precisely following the command given by the angel in Acts 5:20: “Stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” This gospel was a tremendous shock and fear to the chief officials. This was because the human watch that seemed perfect was breached so easily. The world tried to confine the gospel in a dark prison, but their efforts were completely in vain. This means that no matter how powerful human strength may seem, it can be easily breached before God. Beloved, do not trust the people of the world too much. Do not be too afraid of the powers of the world. I bless you in the name of Jesus that you may have the holy perseverance to stand firm in your life, work, and workplace like the early church and the apostles, even in the face of threats from the world. Let’s repeat together. When you are captivated by God’s grace, when you are captivated by God’s grace, you will fulfill your mission. You will fulfill your mission. Yes. I want you to think for a moment about the hearts of the apostles. They were imprisoned. Suddenly, an angel came and told them to come out. “What is this?” Yes. People were being healed, the sick were being cured, and the demon-possessed were being healed, but suddenly an angel appeared before the apostles and led them out. The guards were standing, but these people could not even see us. Their eyes were blinded. This is the work of God. The work of God is like a mystery, where you simply feel led, asking, “What is happening to me right now?” I believe this is the amazing work and grace of God. When you are captivated by God’s grace, you will have such amazing experiences. You will fulfill your mission. Fear will disappear, worries will vanish, and human thoughts will fade away. From that moment on, we will live with the thoughts of God’s kingdom and the life of God’s kingdom. Amen. I believe some of you are looking at me and thinking, “Pastor, what are you talking about?” When you are captivated by God’s grace, your inner reasoning and judgment stop. Amen. Fear disappears. You may not know what kind of world this is, but you will walk that path. My friends, I have experienced this many times. At that time, I am not afraid. I do not worry. Because He leads me. I am simply following that path. My friends, I bless you in the name of Jesus that you may have such mysterious experiences. Now look at Verse 26. The captain of the temple went with his men and brought them in. Here, the word “to bring in”—“to bring”—is the same word used to describe how God led the people of Israel out of Egypt. Look, these people are dragging prisoners. They say, “Bring the prisoners.” They say, “Bring the prisoners here.” They will probably drag them. If they do not obey, they will be kicked, whipped, and beaten with clubs. But strangely, today the captain of the temple and his men use the word “to lead”—they brought them, but they led them safely and peacefully. Why is that? They could not do it by force or violence. Because they were afraid that the people would stone them. Ah, they were afraid that the people would stone them. My friends, they brought the apostles, but strangely, they could not use any violence or public authority. The reason is simple: they were deeply afraid of the stones thrown by the people. Ironically, those with weapons, those in power, who could arrest them and throw them into prison are trembling in fear of the stones thrown by the people. Meanwhile, the weak prisoners who had just been confined are walking confidently without fear. The world tries to control the church by force, but those who are afraid of losing their privileges and are trapped in the eyes of the people are, in fact, the most miserable beings confined. My friends, we always think we should get along well with our bosses or those in power who hold our lives and deaths in their hands. We say, “We must get along well. We have to.” But I want you to remember. In fact, they are also weak beings trapped in the eyes of the world’s watch and fear. They are just doing so to protect their positions. I bless you in the name of Jesus that you may throw away the fears of the world before the cross of the gospel and confidently walk the path of victory through faith. Now Verse 27. They carefully brought them before the Sanhedrin, and the priests interrogated them. Verse 28. Let’s all start together... Verse 28 begins: “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” Yes, the priests said this. “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name.” Now what is this name? That’s right. It is the name of Jesus. But why do they not mention the name of Jesus? First, because they dislike it. Second, because they are displeased. Third, because they are deeply troubled. Fourth, what can I know? Anything is possible. They may not want to mention that name because it is a cursed name, or they may not want to call that person by the name Jesus. But they confess even so. “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching.” They know this. They know that countless men and women have spread their beds and filled the streets of Jerusalem, and that countless people have flocked to Jerusalem to the point of explosion. They reveal their true feelings: “Do you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us?” In ancient society, a name meant the rights of an agent who uses that person and is delegated all authority by the one who sent him. Therefore, when I say I came in someone’s name, I am that person. Because I was sent by that person, I have that person’s authority and commission. The members of the council realized that all the basis and authority of the apostles’ ministry and teaching came from the name of Jesus Christ. So they said, “We commanded you not to teach anyone in this name.” The phrase “in this name” means that they are issuing a command not to teach based on the authority and value of this name—the name of Jesus. Because the power and basis of Jesus were revealed to them, they tried to completely block any act that depended on the authority and vitality of the name of Jesus. However, the more the world oppresses, the more the gospel breaks through the prison doors and fills the streets of Jerusalem. Instead of confining the gospel, the persecution of the world became a catalyst that flowed throughout the city. Eventually, the high priest burst out in anger and asked, “Do you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us?” In the past, they had crazily shouted in Pilate’s court, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” Now, as the resurrection of Jesus is truly proven and countless people support them, they are extremely afraid of becoming murderers and losing their privileges. My friends, the true power that moves the world is fear. Don’t you always have fear? Don’t you see your pension? That’s right. It’s there. It’s not there. It’s there. Why is it there? Because you are afraid that you will have no money at the end of the year. My friends, the power of 10,000 won is the power of money. It is the power of fear. It makes us afraid. The true power that moves the world is fear. They are afraid of taking responsibility, afraid of losing their privileges, and afraid that they will struggle later when they have no money, which is why they oppress us with that fear. But I believe that the holy church has transcended the walls of materialism. In the early church, money was piled up before the church. This means that they have transcended the walls of materialism. The church has already transcended the power of the god of materialism and the fear that material brings. My friends, you who are no longer afraid of material—when you see the lives of those who have truly experienced conversion, you can see them transcending material. Wake up and observe. They say they gave half of their possessions to the poor. I believe that the holy church is moved not by material or fear, but by truth. They filled all the streets of Jerusalem with the teachings of Jesus even in the face of accusations from the high priest. I believe this is the power of the gospel that breaks through the threats of the world. How will Peter and the apostles respond to such words? Let’s start together from Verse 29. Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” Yes. Here, the word “men” appears in the singular, but they are actually saying that it is natural, appropriate, and necessary to obey God rather than men. Peter does not refer to the Sanhedrin, where the most powerful figures of the time gathered, as “rulers,” but rather lowers them to the level of mere “creatures.” Peter confesses that no matter how massive the power and system of the world may be, before God’s absolute sovereignty, they are merely dust. Holy faith does not waver between man and God; it is not half-believing in the Lord. Am I a person ruled by man? Or am I a person ruled by God? Let’s repeat together. I am a person ruled by God. I am a person who is governed. Amen. Amen. I believe that I am not a person who is rewarded, but a person who is ruled by God. Now in Verse 30, Peter continues: “The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree...” Now who are you? I am referring to the Sanhedrin, the people of the earth. You killed him on a tree. My friends, Peter stands in the position of the defendant. But he seems to stand in the position of the preacher. He seems to stand in the position of the judge. When he says, “Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree,” the hearts of the 71 must have been filled with fear. Because they are the ones who killed him. My friends, do you remember the chaotic trial in the Gospel of Matthew? They were all strange trials. They knew better than anyone that they had wrongfully killed Jesus in a wrongful trial, so the act of hanging Jesus on a tree meant that he was cursed. The most astonishing words, my friends, come next. It is that the God of our fathers raised him. The God of our fathers—whom we all call the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—raised the very Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. Amen. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is also their ancestor. It may be difficult to understand, right? By mentioning the God of the Old Testament ancestors, he clearly proclaims that the Jesus he preaches is not a foreign god, but the very God they believe in, the God who faithfully keeps the covenant made with their ancestors. The God whom you claim to serve has raised the Jesus whom you brutally crucified. God overturned that unjust verdict. He raised him with the power of resurrection. My friends, do not succumb to the judgments and oppressions imposed upon us by the world. Do not be stressed by this. This is not the end. This is not the final conclusion. This is not the verdict given by the highest authority. I believe the ultimate judge is God, who overturns the judgments of the world. I earnestly hope that you believe that God is our only judge and accuser. I bless you in the name of Jesus that you may come before God no matter what difficulties you face in this world. Now in Verse 31, Peter continues. Let’s all start together. “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” Yes. Amen. Ah, I did not understand this sentence well. If he gives repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel, why must Jesus be Prince and Savior? Yes. Isn’t it enough for Jesus just to forgive them? But today’s message says that God has exalted Jesus to His right hand and made him Prince and Savior to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. This means there is a reason why Jesus must be the supreme ruler. Why did God make Jesus Prince and Savior? Why, why must Jesus be Prince and Savior? Are you still understanding? It is like the president granting a full pardon on August 8th, Liberation Day. Just as the president is the only supreme authority who can grant a full pardon, Jesus must be the supreme authority to grant their repentance and forgiveness of sins. Therefore, God has placed Jesus at His right hand. He has become a king. He is the king of heaven and earth. He has become the only Savior. Therefore, let’s repeat together: “Lord, Lord, thank you for forgiving my sins. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you. Amen.” This means that Jesus stood at the right hand of God as King and Savior to grant this great pardon, to do what only Jesus can do. Amen. Amen. Now finally, let’s start together with Verse 33 and Verse 32. “And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Amen. Now we are artisans of these things. We are artisans of these things. Verses 30 and 31. We are witnesses that Jesus was killed, witnesses that our God of fathers raised him from the dead, and witnesses that He made him Prince and Savior. But we are also witnesses that the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him, is likewise a witness. The Holy Spirit is also a witness. We are witnesses, and the Holy Spirit is a divine witness. Now why are two witnesses necessary? According to the law of the Old Testament, two or three witnesses are needed to determine something as true. Therefore, the human witness is us, and the divine witness is the Holy Spirit. To whom does the Holy Spirit give? Look at Verse 32. God gives to him. Amen. Let’s repeat together. The Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is with me. He is with me. Amen. Amen. My friends, I believe that the moment I confess Jesus as my Savior, the Holy Spirit has already come into us. Amen. He is in us. But regarding fullness... Have you ever experienced walking in a swimming pool? Yes. Your body does not move easily, right? The fullness of the Holy Spirit is like that. It is when my physical strength fades away, and the Holy Spirit moves me. That is the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Just as when you enter a swimming pool, your strength inevitably weakens, when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, your strength weakens, the power of the Holy Spirit strengthens, and you experience the grace of the Holy Spirit leading you. How can you be filled with the Holy Spirit? To those who obey God. Amen. You cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit if you do not obey God. Because the Holy Spirit is disregarded. I bless you in the name of Jesus that you may receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit by obeying God. The amazing work of the Holy Spirit, where the apostles teach without fear in the temple and heal the sick, appears before the eyes of the Jewish religious leaders as the greatest evidence that He reigns as the supreme king at the heavenly throne. To whom is the power of heaven poured out—the Holy Spirit? To those who obey God. Therefore, it is right for us to obey God. It is appropriate to obey God. The Holy Spirit abundantly comes upon those who absolutely obey God. Amen. Amen. Peter stands there as both interrogator and preacher, accusing their sins and proclaiming the gospel. They take all this as witnesses, and they boldly declare that God, who is the Holy Spirit, is likewise a witness. Beloved saints, why should we not waver in human opinions and obey God’s word? It is because our God has become the supreme ruler. Amen. Let’s repeat together. Because God has become the supreme ruler, because He has become the supreme ruler, I obey God. I obey. This is because God’s absolute sovereignty will triumph forever. Amen. Amen. We believe in God’s word. We obey. We will follow His word. In the realities of life and at work, we are pressured to compromise between God and man. We are demanded to follow human words and to undermine our conscience. But there is no gray area in faith. My friends, gray is a mixture of white and black. It is when hot and cold meet to become lukewarm water. What does the Book of Revelation say? “Be hot or cold.” What happens to lukewarm water? He spits it out. Lord, may our faith be a passionate faith. Amen. May it be a faith that looks only to the Lord. I bless you and me in the name of Jesus. I hope we rely on God, the absolute ruler, and live looking only to Him. Let us declare that it is right to obey God, just like the apostles, even in the face of any disadvantage or threat. It is right to obey God. It is right. It is right. Amen.
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