God’s Command Comes First

The mighty Ruler of the universe took the disciples’ imprisonment into His own hands, for men were warring against His work. That night the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and said to the disciples, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” Did the apostles say, “We cannot do this until we have received permission from the magistrates?” No. God had said, “Go,” and they obeyed. “They entered the temple early in the morning and taught.”ULe 30.6

When Peter and John appeared among the believers and told how the angel had led them through the group of soldiers guarding the prison, commanding them to resume the work that had been interrupted, the believers were filled with joy.ULe 31.1

In the meantime the high priest had “called the council together.” The priests and rulers had decided to charge the disciples with insurrection, to accuse them of murdering Ananias and Sapphira and of conspiring to deprive the priests of their authority. They hoped to stir up the mob to deal with the disciples as it had with Jesus. The priests feared that if people came to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, they would become angry with the religious leaders, who would then have to answer for the murder of Christ. They decided to take strong measures to prevent this.ULe 31.2

When they sent for the prisoners, they were amazed at the word brought back: the prison doors were securely bolted and the guard stationed in front of them, but the prisoners were nowhere to be found.ULe 31.3

Soon the report came, “‘The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!’ Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.”ULe 31.4

Although the apostles were delivered from prison, they were not safe from punishment. By sending an angel to deliver them, God had given them a sign of His presence. But now they were to suffer for the One whose gospel they were preaching.ULe 31.5