Posted by / Thursday 24 March 2016 / No comments

The arrest of the Apostles

Image, Twelve Apostles, Holy, Disciples

THE ARREST OF THE APOSTLES
The High Priest and the Sadducees were angry with the Apostles. So they arrested them and put them in a common prison.

At night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and brought the Apostles out. The angel told them to go into the temple and preach to the people about life. The next day, the Apostles went to the Temple and preached.

The High Priest called the Council together and sent that they brought the Apostles. When they went to pick the Apostles from the cell, the door was securely locked, the watchmen were outside the door but when they entered they did not see the Apostles. When the Chief Priest heard this, they thought to themselves where this was going to lead.

Somebody came to tell them that the men they sought were in the Temple preaching to the people. The captain brought them, but without violence. The High Priest asked whether they had not warned them not to preach Jesus again. He accused them of feeling Jerusalem with their teachings.

Peter told the High Priest that they obey only God and not men. He counter-accused the High Priest of Jesus. He told them that God had exalted Jesus to become a Prince and a savior. When the High Priest heard this, they planned to kill them.

A well respected Pharisee member of the Council, called Gamaliel, a Doctor of the law asked that they put the Apostles outside for a while. When they did, he warned the Council not to touch the Apostles. He reminded the Council of Theudas who rose and about four hundred people followed him. Then Theudas was killed and his followers scattered. After that Judas, the Galilean also rose and many people followed him. Gamaliel said Judas the Galilean also died and all his followers were scattered.

According to Gamaliel, the High Priest should leave them alone. He said if the movement was of men, then they would fail but if it was of God, they could never stop it. If they tried to fight it, they might be fighting against God. This advice pleased the Council and so they asked the Apostles to come in.

The Apostles were beaten and warned not to preach in the name of Jesus anymore. Then they freed them. The Apostles left the council, happy that they too had suffered shame for the name of Jesus.
Daily in the Temple and in the house, they preached Jesus Christ.

TYPES OF OPPOSITION CONFRONTING THE CHURCH TODAY
1. In some countries, Christians are not allowed to preach publicly.
2. In some countries too church buildings are not allowed to be sited everywhere.
3. Some Christians experience persecution which sometimes leads to the destruction of lives and properties.
4. In some countries, Christians suffer discrimination in employment opportunities and promotions in the public service.
5. Christians are also discriminated against in marriages and funeral ceremonies.

QUALITIES THAT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO GAMALIEL
1. Gamaliel did not display any form of fear in defending the Apostles. It makes him come out as a man of courage.
2. He displayed a deep knowledge of the history of his people as he referred to Theudas and Judas the Galilean.
3. Gamaliel did not support the murder of the innocent Apostles. He comes across as someone who was God-fearing.
4.  He hated any form of violence in the society so he was also a man of peace.
5. He was tolerant so he allowed the exercise of individual conviction.

SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. a. How did God use Gamaliel to further the cause of Christianity in the early Church?
    b. Mention any four types of opposition confronting the church today.
2. a. How did Gamaliel save the Apostles during their trial by the Sanhedrin?
    b. Identify two qualities that can be attributed to Gamaliel.

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