Welcome to Warning Against Others. Today, we will begin at Acts 5.
“The high priest and his officials, who formed the party of the Sadducees, became extremely jealous over all that was happening, so they had the apostles arrested, placed in chains, and thrown into jail. But during the night, the Lord sent an angel who appeared before them. He supernaturally opened their prison doors and brought the apostles outside. “Go,” the angel told them. “Stand in the temple courts and preach the words that bring life!” So early that morning they entered the temple courts and taught the people. The high priest and his officials, unaware of their supernatural release from prison, convened the members of the supreme council. They sent for the apostles to be brought to them from prison. But when the officers came to the prison cell, it was empty! They returned to the council and informed them, “We found the jail securely locked and the guards standing by their cell, but when we opened the door, there was no one inside!” When the captain of the temple guard and the leading priests heard this report, they were perplexed and at a loss over what to make of it. Someone came and informed them, “The men you put in prison are out there standing in the temple courts, teaching the people!” So the captain of the temple guard and his officers went to arrest them once again, but without using force, for they were afraid the people would stone them. When they brought them before the council, the high priest demanded an explanation, saying, “Didn’t we strictly warn you that you were to never again teach in this name? But instead you have now filled all of Jerusalem with this doctrine and are committed to holding us responsible for this man’s death!” Peter and the apostles replied, “We must listen to and obey God more than pleasing religious leaders. You had Jesus arrested and killed by crucifixion, but the God of our forefathers has raised him up. He’s the one God has exalted and seated at his right hand as our Savior and Champion. He is the provider of grace as the Redeemer of Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God freely gives to all who believe in him.” When they heard this, they were infuriated and determined to murder them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a noted religious professor who was highly respected by all, stood up. He gave orders to send the apostles outside. Then he said to the council, “Men of Israel, you need to be very careful about how you deal with these men. Some time ago there was a man named Theudas who rose up claiming to be somebody. He had a following of about four hundred men, but when he was killed, all of his followers were scattered, and nothing came of it. “After him, in the days of the census, another man rose up, Judas the Galilean, who got people to follow him in a revolt. He too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. So in this situation, you should just leave these men to themselves. For if this plan or undertaking originates with men, it will fade away and come to nothing. But if this movement is of God, you won’t be able to stop it. And you might discover that you were fighting God all along!” Gamaliel’s words convinced the council. So they brought the apostles back in and had them severely beaten. They ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus and then let them go. The apostles left there rejoicing, thrilled that God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And nothing stopped them! They kept preaching every day in the temple courts and went from house to house, preaching the gospel of Jesus, God’s Anointed One!”
Acts 5:17-42 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/act.5.17-42.tpt
“Stephen, who was a man full of grace and supernatural power, performed many astonishing signs and wonders and mighty miracles among the people. This upset some men belonging to a sect who called themselves the Men Set Free. They were Libyans, Egyptians, and Turks. They all confronted Stephen to argue with him. But the Holy Spirit gave Stephen remarkable wisdom to answer them. His words were prompted by the Holy Spirit, and they could not refute what he said. So the Men Set Free conspired in secret to find those who would bring false accusations against Stephen and lie about him by saying, “We heard this man speak blasphemy against Moses and God.” The Men Set Free agitated the crowd, the elders, and the religious scholars, then seized Stephen and forcefully took him before the supreme council. One after another, false witnesses stepped forward and accused Stephen, saying, “This man never stops denigrating our temple and our Jewish law. For we have heard him teach that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the temple and change the traditions and customs that Moses handed down to us.” Every member of the supreme council focused his gaze on Stephen, for right in front of their eyes, while being falsely accused, his face glowed as though he had the face of an angel!”
Acts 6:8-15 TPT
https://www.bible.com/1849/act.6.8-15.tpt
To see Stephen’s response, read Chapter 7. Due to lack of space, I will not post it here. Also, I would like to hear from you. Please comment below your feedback as to how this has helped you. God bless!
Kingdom Advance 