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The Story of Redemption
When the apostles appeared among the believers and recounted
how the angel had led them directly through the band of soldiers
guarding the prison and bade them resume the work which had been
interrupted by the priests and rulers, the brethren were filled with
joy and amazement.
The priests and rulers in council had decided to fix upon them
the charge of insurrection and accuse them of murdering Ananias
and Sapphira (
Acts 5:1-11
), and of conspiring to deprive the priests
of their authority and put them to death. They trusted that the mob
would then be excited to take the matter in hand and to deal by the
apostles as they had dealt by Jesus. They were aware that many who
did not accept the doctrine of Christ were weary of the arbitrary rule
of the Jewish authorities and were anxious for some decided change.
If these persons became interested in, and embraced, the belief of the
apostles, acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah, they feared the anger
of the entire people would be raised against the priests, who would
be made to answer for the murder of Christ. They decided to take
strong measures to prevent this. They finally sent for the supposed
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prisoners to be brought before them. Great was their amazement
when the report was brought back that the prison doors were found
securely bolted and the guard stationed before them, but that the
prisoners were nowhere to be found.
Soon the report was brought: “Behold, the men whom ye put in
prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.” Although
the apostles were miraculously delivered from prison, they were not
saved from examination and punishment. Christ had said when He
was with them, “Take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you
up to councils.” God had given them a token of His care and an
assurance of His presence by sending the angel to them; it was now
their part to suffer for the sake of that Jesus whom they preached.
The people were so wrought upon by what they had seen and heard
that the priests and rulers knew it would be impossible to excite them
against the apostles.
The Second Trial
“Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them
without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have