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ANGELS DELIVER THE APOSTLES

Act 5:19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth,
and said,

5:19 Angels in the NT, ANGELS. There are more direct references to Angels in the NT
than in the OT. Jesus talked about angels (Matthew 26:53; Mark 13:32; Luke 20:34-36;
John 1:51); and not only were angels in attendance At His birth, resurrection and
ascension, they were active amid the early church’s life. In Acts, angelic activity: 1) freed
apostles imprisoned for their faith (see also 12:6-7), 2) led Philip to an evangelistic

opportunity (8:26), 3) told Cornelius how to find Peter in order to hear the gospel (10:3,
5), 4) struck judgment on wicked Herod (12:23), and 5) encouraged Paul caught in a
killer storm (27:23). Throughout the NT, believers are given instruction on the presence,
nature, and function of angels, fallen and unfallen (Hebrews 1:14; 1 Peter 1:12; 3:22;
Revelation 5:11-12; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:16; 2 Peter 2:4).

Act 5:20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

The angel is not seen by the prisoners or guards who are close by. For the disciples, the angel’s
presence confirms that God is pleased with their stand for the gospel and their boldness to
minister to the sick in the name of Jesus. The angel also instructs them to teach the whole
Word of God.

People being born again because of the preaching of the word is only the beginning. They must

also be instructed in the whole Word of God so they will become disciples, not just converts.

Act 5:21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and
taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together,
and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

While the officers of the Sanhedrin are looking for the prisoners in the jail cells, the disciples are
already in the temple teaching. Their deliverance is a clear indication of God’s attitude toward

governments who try to stop the teaching and ministering of the Word of God. It is also a clear
teaching on what our attitude should be for government leaders who try to restrain the
ministry of the Word.

OFFICERS REPORT TO RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Act 5:22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and
told,