Acts 5:17 – Then the high priest took action; he and all who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), being filled with jealousy,

The Sadducees and the high priest were jealous of the Apostles, especially Peter and John. The Sadducees never believed in the resurrection. They did not believe that the body would be raised one day and they did not believe in the supernatural. They only believed in what is natural. They did not believe in angels or life after death. So, these were the people called Sadducees and even the high priest of those times had that belief. They were very powerful people, though small in number. And filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison, that is, where everyone else is also imprisoned. But during night, an Angel of the Lord opened the prison and brought Peter and John out of the prison. God rescued them so that they could continue the ministry, not to escape from the ministry, not for their safety but for the proclamation of the Word of God.

The mighty intervention of God in our life is not for our safety and enjoyment and personal life. Every healing, miracle and wonder that happens in our life is for the glory of God, for the message of the gospel to be spread, not for our safety. No.ne of the apostles were safe all throughout their life except John, even though he had a natural death. He also went through terrible persecution like boiling in the oil, but still he survived. Then he was sent into exile at Padma Island and there he had a natural old age death. But all the other disciples like even Matthew was beheaded by sword, Mark, the one who wrote the Gospel, was dragged through the city and he was killed. God did not protect him. Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece, and he was killed. Peter was crucified upside down. Thomas was killed with a spear and James was thrown down from a height and was killed. Philip was also hanged. Bartholomew was whipped to death with continuous weapon. When Andrew was being crucified even lying down or being crucified on the cross, he with all his might, with all his maximum sound, he preached to the soldiers who were crucifying him until his last breath. Jude was killed by the arrows. Matthias was beheaded after being stoned to death. Paul was also beheaded.

At the same time, these apostles also had some experiences of miraculous intervention from God. Paul and Silas were rescued from prison, not once but many times. Peter was rescued from the prison. John was rescued from the prison. Luke was rescued from the prison. Thomas had many miraculous escapes when he came to India to preach the Gospel. There were so many times God rescued them not to give them complete safety for throughout the life but to give them one more chance to continue his ministry. So, all miracles and wonders that happen in our personal life is not for our safety.. If God has healed us, we must testify it and proclaim the Gospel in front of others. Every miracle that God is giving us, we should use it for the glory of God.

Every miracle that happens in our life is not a private property. It is the property of the Church. Therefore, we must use it for building up the Church.

Acts 5 :21 – When they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching.

They did not stop. They knew they will be imprisoned again. They knew this time the consequence will be terrible but despite that, they obeyed God. When the high priest and those with him arrived, they called together the council, the whole body of the Elders of Israel and sent them to the prison to have them brought.

Acts 5:22 – But when the temple police went there, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,

But when the Temple Police went there, they did not find them in the prison so when the chief priest and the Sanhedrin members gathered together because they are supposed to give a trial for the apostles, they thought they were in prison. There were two types of police – the Roman police and the Temple Police. Temple Police were those appointed for the sake of the chief priest. Peter and John were under the custody of the chief priest of Jewish people who had full control of the Temple Police because the Romans were always pleasing the Jewish leaders so that there will be peace in the country. Therefore, they were given some number of police under their custody so that they could use it for religious establishment. These Temple Police had certain freedom and certain rules. They couldn’t declare anybody to be killed but they could whip and torture. They could put people into prison.

When the Temple Police went to find Peter and John in prison, they did not find them. So, they returned and reported. They said, “the people whom we imprisoned yesterday they are not found in the prison anymore, they disappeared. That prison is locked, doors are closed, the guards are standing at the doors but when we opened them, we found no one inside. “

It was a miraculous intervention of God. That meant somehow the angel of God took them out of those rooms even without breaking the locks, without even disturbing those who were there along with them. A supernatural intervention.

Acts 5:24 -26 – Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering what might be going on. Then someone arrived and announced, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” Then the captain went with the temple police and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

If we are ready to go to preach the Gospel, nobody can imprison us. If we are ready to stand as a witness for Jesus Christ, no one can put us in bondage. No bondage can affect us. Glorify the Lord and give the message of Christ to everyone. We will see miracles happening in our life and that is the only condition the Heaven wants us.

There are so many deliverances happening when people are ready to share the faith about Jesus to everyone. All bondages will be broken. If anybody is going through a tough time in their job, may be a financial bondage or a marital problem. We should repent of all our past sins and make a good confession. We can at least share the link of Divine UK live streaming with everyone and tell them to watch it. It is an evangelisation process and we will see the glory of God.

Transcribed by Jusfica Lobo