Unstoppable

“If it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourself fighting against God.” Acts 5:39

Why do some people want to stop a good thing? Reasons abound, but the short list is anger, fear, and envy. When things go well for one, resentment emerges in another, leading to rash actions and real trouble. The early church learned this early on. Jealous of the apostles’ popularity, the high priest and his cronies threw them into jail, but a nocturnal angel opened their cell and commanded them to open their mouths. “Go, stand in the temple courts, and tell the people the full message of this new life”(Acts 5:20). At sunrise, they showed up and spoke up.

Meanwhile, back at the court, the Sanhedrin was called into session and “sent to jail for the apostles”(Acts 5:21). Confounded officers found vigilant guards and locked doors but no disciples. Their whereabouts left the elders puzzled until a report arrived that the apostles were back at it—teaching in the temple. Guards were sent to get them, and the judge announced the charge: disobedience for declaring the name of Jesus. “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching”(Acts 5:28) was his incredible accusation. “Not sorry and won’t stop,” was the apostles’ reply. “We must obey God rather than men”(Acts 5:29).

Furious, the Sanhedrin wanted those words to be their final answer—forever—but a wise teacher named Gamaliel stood up and spoke truth. “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you do to these men. This Jesus isn’t the first Jew to garner a following and get crowds excited. Two guys named Theudas and Judas the Galilean are not-so-distant examples, but when they died, so did their movements. So, here’s my advice: Drop it and do nothing. If this is something man made up, it won’t make it, “but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourself fighting against God”(Acts 5:39).

Unwilling to let apostles’ leave unpunished, the leaders had them flogged, but their penalty backfired, for the apostles turned the pain into praise and “left the Sanhedrin rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ”(Acts 5:41-42).

Anger and envy might put the brakes on a good thing—but not on a God thing. The “full message of this new life” cannot be contained, restrained, or defeated. Neither locked doors nor lashed backs can stop what God has started. He is up to something bigger and better than we could ever imagine, so rejoice that He counts you worthy to share His news and suffer for His name, and fill where you are with words of who He is—the all-powerful, unstoppable God of salvation.