Sermon audio available here.

The Gospel on Trial
Acts 5:17-42

I.  Introduction
A.  We put confidence in things that have been tested.
B.  We have a Gospel message of salvation that has been rigorously tested.
1.  The testing, trials commenced immediately (Acts 3-4)
2.  It has been, and continues to be put on trial.
C.  Let’s look at the ways it was tested – and defended – in New Testament times.

II.  The truth of the Gospel has withstood persecution, intimidation. (Acts 5:29-31)
A.  Have you ever been put on the spot to answer someone?
1.  The truthful answer isn’t really what they want to hear?
2.  At such times, it seems so easy to tell people what they want to hear.
a.  Give them the answer they like, and everyone gets along.
b.  “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
B.  Peter’s response is firm, reasoned, powerful, and apt.
1. Peter doesn’t alter his message to gain favor.
2.  Nor does he resort to polemic, belligerence.
3.  He simply tells the truth as those present needed to hear it.
a.  They needed to know that God raised Him.  (Acts 5:30)
b.  They needed to be told that they put Him to death. (Acts 5:30; II Sam 12:7)
4.  Such a complete, accurate, on-point response is the only one love will allow.
a.  Love demands we make available the words of life to all (I Peter 3:14-16; Eph. 4:15)
b.  Peter states that repentance and forgiveness are available to Israel (Acts 5:31)

III.  The truth of the Gospel is affirmed by witnesses. (Acts 5:32)
A.  The events of the Gospel were witnessed by men.
1.  The witnesses were numerous, and convinced. (I Cor. 15:4-8; II Peter 1:16-18; I John 1:1)
2.  The witnesses had little to gain, much to lose for their testimony. (I Cor. 4:11-13; 15:19)
B.  The Holy Spirit also offers testimony.
1.  His presence was apparent in the acts of the apostles.
2.  He is still alive in the lives of Christians – “those who obey” God. (Acts 5:32)

IV.  The truth of the Gospel withstands the test of time. (Acts 5:34-39)
A.  Gamaliel convinced the court to let time be the judge.
1.  Men had been trying to declare themselves Messiah for some time. (Matt. 24:24)
2.  Gamaliel listed some who had sought a following, yet failed. (Acts 5:36-37)
3.  He correctly understood this: the God’s true deliverer will not fail. (I Cor. 15:25)
B.  The Gospel has triumphed throughout time since.
1.  Critics have arisen in recent centuries determined to discredit it.
2.  It continues to shine even brighter when men shed more light on it.
a.  William Ramsay
b.  Archaeology, the sciences, human experiences continue to confirm the Bible account.

V.  Conculsion
A.  We can have confidence in the Gospel of the grace of God.
B.  We must participate in the defense of the Gospel truth.
1.  God has left it to the church to stand for the Gospel, speak in its defense.
2.  We must obey the Gospel.
3.  We must be prepared to defend it, as Peter did.

January 18, 2009
Glenn Record