Act 5:41 | KingComments | STEP | The Council is convinced. Although the Council follows Gamaliel’s advice and thereby indicates that they do not want to be fighters against God, they do appear to be fighters against God. They call the apostles back in, but not to apologize. Their murder plans are not carried out, but their hatred has not diminished. This is shown by the flogging they inflict on the apostles. Furthermore, they order them not to speak “in the name of Jesus” anymore. This is how they let the apostles go. But they are not broken men who leave the courtroom. We are often afraid to give our testimony when we expect a disapproving look or a mocking smile. This is different with the apostles. The only result of the flogging is that they rejoice that they are worthy “to suffer shame” for the “name” of the Lord Jesus (cf. ; ). The threat to no longer speak “in the name of Jesus” only leads them with even more zeal to teach from God’s Word in public in the temple as well as from house to house. They proclaim that Jesus is the promised Christ. The order ”not to speak in the name of Jesus” is as foolish as ordering the sun not to shine.

‏ Acts 5:41

Flogged, Released and Keeping Right on

The Council is convinced. Although the Council follows Gamaliel’s advice and thereby indicates that they do not want to be fighters against God, they do appear to be fighters against God. They call the apostles back in, but not to apologize. Their murder plans are not carried out, but their hatred has not diminished. This is shown by the flogging they inflict on the apostles. Furthermore, they order them not to speak “in the name of Jesus” anymore. This is how they let the apostles go.

But they are not broken men who leave the courtroom. We are often afraid to give our testimony when we expect a disapproving look or a mocking smile. This is different with the apostles. The only result of the flogging is that they rejoice that they are worthy “to suffer shame” for the “name” of the Lord Jesus (cf. Mt 5:10-12; 1Pet 4:13).

The threat to no longer speak “in the name of Jesus” only leads them with even more zeal to teach from God’s Word in public in the temple as well as from house to house. They proclaim that Jesus is the promised Christ. The order ”not to speak in the name of Jesus” is as foolish as ordering the sun not to shine.