We see here in the first verses that something interesting happens ------AMPC B
22 But when the attendants arrived there, they failed to find them in the jail; so they came back and reported,
23
We found the prison quite safely locked up and the guards were on duty outside the doors, but when we opened [it], we found no one on the inside.
24 when the military leader of the temple area and the chief priests heard these facts,
they were much perplexed and thoroughly at a loss about them, wondering into what this might grow.
I say -----So we see in verse 23 that the doors were still locked and the guards were still standing guard ---
I say -----So how did the Angel get the Apostles out without being seen by the guards who were there guarding the cell and how did the door remain locked after the Apostles were let out ----
Seems to me maybe the Angel might have made the guards fall asleep ????at the right time so the Apostles could get pass them ----and it seems that if the Angel opened the Door that the Angel relocked the door ??????so all would look perfect in the morning ----
Any other ideas on that ????
Ya --I bet there was a lot of head scratching going on and bewilderment and Fear happening with all of the people who put them in the jail as well as the guards -------it would be a shocker for sure -----
We see some men came and reported that the men that were put in jail were at the Temple preaching the Gospel ----so now the attendants were sacred to go alone to get the Apostles so they had the Military accompany them and brought them back before the Sanhedrin ----
They feared that the people might get raddled and try to stone them ---so they had their physical protection with them -----unlike the Apostles who have their unseen protection with them all the time ----God protects His Children ---
Now we see that God here is allowing the Apostles to be arrested again ---but this time are only Questioned ----and are chastised for their disobedience ----
28 We definitely commanded
and strictly charged you not to teach in
or about this Name; yet here you have flooded Jerusalem with your doctrine and you intend to bring
this Man’s blood upon us.
I say ------So they are calling Jesus ----this Man---- here to avoid saying His name -in my view ---as their hatred and Jealousy for Him is so great that they don't want to have His name come from their lips ----- but they just witnesses the power of God and they couldn't deny that -----
Then Peter tells them that they must
Obey God Not Man -----and that the God of our forefathers raised up Jesus whom you killed by hanging Him on a Tree ----
And that is the same today ---for True Believers---their obligation is to God not Man -----unfortunately today there are not many True Believers heading our Churches today to preach or teach what our obligation to God is and how important it is to obey what His word says ----
These last 2 verses speak for themselves =====
31 God exalted Him to His right hand to be Prince
and Leader and Savior
and Deliverer
and Preserver,
in order to grant repentance to Israel and to bestow forgiveness and release from sins.
32 And we are witnesses of these things, and the Holy Spirit is also, Whom God has bestowed on those who obey Him.
I say ------Peter here calling a Spade a Spade -----no sugarcoating here Folks----just flat out truth being unloaded to these people --who are unable to Spiritually grasp what Peter is really saying here
We need more like Peter in our Churches today ----in my view ----straight up truth telling to their Flock ---
AI Overview
The saying "preach truth whether it fills and empties the church" emphasizes the importance of consistently proclaiming God's word, regardless of its popularity or the size of the congregation. It highlights the responsibility of preachers to deliver the truth of the Gospel, even if it means facing opposition or losing some followers.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
- Prioritizing Truth over Popularity:
The saying challenges the notion that church attendance should dictate the message. A true preacher is called to preach the truth of God's Word, even when it is unpopular or challenging.
- Purging the Church:
By delivering sound doctrine, preachers participate in the process of separating genuine believers from those who are merely seeking personal gain or superficial comfort.
- Fulfilling the Call to Ministry:
The saying underscores the preacher's duty to proclaim God's Word diligently, as outlined in 2 Timothy 4:2, which calls for being ready in season and out of season, reproving, rebuking, and exhorting.
- Impact on the Congregation:
While some may be drawn to the truth, others may be repulsed by it, leading to either growth or division within the church. However, the focus remains on faithfully proclaiming the truth.
- Spiritual Famine:
A church that doesn't receive the truth of God's Word can experience spiritual famine, where the congregation is not nourished with the necessary spiritual food.
- Protecting the Pulpit:
Some resources say the pulpit should be held in high regard and the message proclaimed should be the truth of God's Word, not watered-down or entertaining content.
In essence,
the saying emphasizes that the authenticity and effectiveness of a preacher should not be judged by the number of people in the pews, but by their faithfulness to proclaiming the truth of God's Word.
