Robin, the pastor's argument is basically the same as yours. And I have no problem with the fact that indeed the gospel was in a certain sense revolutionary. But is it not so that quite generally the Jews in any case claimed that there is only one God.

What I have difficulty with is whether an exclusive political motivation really is applicable in this specific case. I can understand that in a general sense they were politically motivated in a lot of things that they did. There are many other instances recorded in Acts where there were turmoil due to the apostles preaching the gospel. In some cases it was driven by economical considerations.

Apart from the conclusion the pastor made that the theology of the Sadducees were driven by their politics, my question is if one has to make a sermon from this part of Acts, is it really correct to make such a firm statement that the actual reason for the arrest of the apostles was something else than what is described there.

Maybe this is a minor thing that I am blowing up.

Johan