Every family has its black sheep and the church is no exception. Even within the small group of hand-picked, carefully chosen disciples, there was one black sheep. In keeping with the Jewish tradition of being brutally honest, this chapter begins with the story of two more. At a time when most new Christians were selling their property and turning the proceeds over to the church for distribution, these two sold their property and turned only a portion of the proceeds over to the church. That seems perfectly within their rights and would not have created a problem.

Unfortunately, they tried to give the impression that they were generous givers while secretly holding back funds for themselves. It was this deceptive facade that brought about their demise. Hypocrites were not tolerated within the early church. We don’t know whether they died of shock, guilt or embarrassment. Today, we have so developed tolerance in the Christian community, it seems harsh and unforgiving.

Perhaps some of the current problems within the mainline churches are the result of being too tolerant and straying from God’s Will. Just a little too much tolerance portrays an inappropriate image of Christ’s church. Mahatma Gandhi accepted the principles of a Christian life but would not convert because the Christians did not live the life they promised. The business men who fail to practice their Christian ethical ideal at work are an embarrassment to the church. The couples who make little or no effort to maintain the dignity and sanctity of their marriage vows are an embarrassment to the church. Those who make racial discriminations without thinking twice are an embarrassment to the church.

What should the church do with these black sheep? Over the years, some have thrown them out to make the church a congregation of saints instead of a haven for sinners. Who gets to decide who is to be thrown out? Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares tells us how to handle this particular problem. Who can read the inner secrets of the heart? God alone can do that. Let God do the work of separation. The challenge is to maintain the moral standards while not abandoning the black sheep. In other words, "Love the sinner, Hate the sin."

In this chapter we see the Apostles growing in respect. They wrought many signs and wonders among the people. Although many were afraid to cooperate in public witness, many believers were added to the Lord. There were real dangers in being a witness for Christ in those days. We do not have that problem in this country, but even today, the penalty in some parts of the world is death.

The acceptance of the Apostles teaching by the populace filled the Sadducees with indignation. They arrested them and placed them in the common prison. An angel of the Lord not only released them but commanded them saying, "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." Note that this assignment is the assignment given to every priest at his ordination. Like the people who were hesitant to witness although they believed, some priests have been hesitant to speak Christ’s words to the public. Some prefer to address social issues and criticize governmental incompetence. It is easy and promotes instant agreement with our socially conscious congregations. That is not the same as preaching the life of Jesus and the promise of everlasting life.

How both preachers and witnessing Christians accomplish their goals is critical. Imperative statements are not effective in attracting people to the Christian way of life. The story of the Good Samaritan is a good example. "Go, and do thou likewise" is the closing imperative statement. It is not the part that incites a person to adjust their attitude and change their ways. The indicative mood of the story moves people to be more inclusive in their neighborliness. Witnessing for Christ is most effective when it shows the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost. The beauty of God’s creation and order is irresistible to anyone with an open heart.

When the council gathered to decide the fate of the prisoners, they were astonished to find them missing. They were even more surprised to find them teaching in the temple. They brought them before the council without violence because they feared the people might stone them and free the prisoners. The high priest reminded the Apostles they were admonished to quit teaching in the name of Jesus Christ and quit blaming his death on them.

Peter’s statement was clear. "We ought to obey God rather than men." This same challenge remains for all Christians today. Life is a mixture of choices and compulsions for all of us. The compulsions come in two varieties. First there are the compulsions a person cannot resist, like a gun to the head. Second, there are compulsions that people are unwilling to resist. The moral compulsions of life, like the one that fell to Peter and his companions, belong to the second group.

Many times, we are able to obey man and God at the same time. When we pay our bills, for instance, we are obeying the laws of man, and at the same time we are obeying the moral laws of God. When we obey the orders of a superior in business, the chances are good that we can do so without violating any divine order. The trouble comes when men tell us to do one thing and God tells us to do the opposite. In Peter’s case, he chose to obey God, regardless of the consequences. These conflicts in loyalties are some of the most stressful experiences we endure. This is what keeps a Christian from pledging his ultimate allegiance to the flag because above the flag is the cross of Christ.

It is difficult enough to handle such a conflict when you are the only one paying the penalty. Life becomes much more complicated when other people are involved in the penalty as well. Any one facing such decisions today must remember that they are not the first to be in such a position. History proves that it is the price people pay for their moral nature and the noblest men and women pay the higher price. Jesus Christ paid the highest price of all when he obeyed God, not men.

So Peter obeyed God and preached the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to the Sadducees. They were incensed and took counsel to slay them. But Gamaliel, a doctor of the law advised them to have patience and see what the outcome might be. He reminded them of Theudas, who claiming to be a prophet, tried to lead an uprising against the Romans. He was decapitated and his followers scattered or slain. He also mentioned Judas of Galilee who led a rebellion against the taxes imposed by Rome. He perished as well and his followers were dispersed.

Gamaliel’s logic was sound and his counsel for restraint was wise. If the work of these prisoners is the work of men, it will come to naught. If it is the work of God, it cannot be overcome. Gamaliel could be called a well-balanced person. He sees both sides of a situation. He can view it with dispassion. He knows how to wait with a serenity that can calm turbulent waters. There are times when such an approach looks very much like appeasement. It appears to be the easy way out – to do nothing. But there are other times when it is the only thing to do for the simple reason that God has not yet made his will clear. Many people are anxious to condemn something new before its outcome can be predicted. Others say, "Give it a chance. It may collapse on its own, but if it does not, we had better be on the right side."

Peter and Gamaliel had contrasting temperaments. Peter was ready for action, impatient with cool thoughts and blind to everything except the gospel. Gamaliel is restrained, moderate, circumspect, tolerant, and slow to act. We need both temperaments in a world like ours. The Peters get things done, while the Gamaliels see to it that certain things are not done. Wise is the man who knows which he is and is humble enough to seek the help of the opposite.

So the Sadducees beat the Apostles, again admonished them not to preach in the name of Jesus and let them go. The Apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.