Acts 5:17-33

The men of the Sanhedrin gathered with confidence. They felt powerful and in control. They sent for the apostles to be brought from jail with the assurance they were in charge. The officers found men on guard, the jail locked, but the apostles missing. When they heard this, the Sanhedrin felt confused and uncertain. They were not sure what would be coming next.

The Sanhedrin heard that the apostles were in the court teaching and sent for them. When they confronted the apostles, they must have been feeling frustrated. They warned them not to preach or teach in the name of Jesus, and yet they continued. They accused the apostles of trying to make them guilty of the blood of Jesus. They were guilty of the blood of Jesus, but they were not willing to admit it.

However, they were wrong about what the apostles were teaching. Their guilt was not the focus. The apostles were teaching that sin killed Jesus, and the death of Jesus was part of God’s plan. God resurrected Jesus so that death and sin would no longer have power over humanity. They taught that when we admit our guilt, repent of our sins and believe in Jesus, He saves us. The men of the Sanhedrin did not experience the hope that the apostles teachings brought to those who believed. They did not experience that hope partly because they were unwilling to come to grips with their guilt. While listening to the apostles, a murderous rage overcame them and took control. They wanted to put the apostles to death.

The Sanhedrin is proof that not everyone who hears the gospel is going to respond with belief. Some nonbelievers will be apathetic and some will respond in a rage. We are not responsible for how others respond to the gospel; even the apostles could not reach the Sanhedrin. As Christians, we are responsible for sharing the gospel. We do not share a gospel focused on guilt; we share a gospel focused on forgiveness and hope.