Acts 5:17–42

5:17
Now the high priest rose up, and all those with him (that is, the
religious party of the Sadducees ), and they were filled with jealousy.
18
They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail.
19
But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,
led them out, and said,
20
“Go and stand in the temple courts and proclaim to the people all the
words of this life.”
21
When they heard this, they entered the temple courts at daybreak and began
teaching. Now when the high priest and those who were with him arrived,
they summoned the Sanhedrin – that is, the whole high council of the
Israelites – and sent to the jail to have the apostles brought before them.
22
But the officers who came for them did not find them in the prison, so
they returned and reported,
23
“We found the jail locked securely and the guards standing at the doors,
but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
24
Now when the commander of the temple guard and the chief priests heard
this report, they were greatly puzzled concerning it, wondering what this
could be.
25
But someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in prison
are standing in the temple courts and teaching the people!”
26
Then the commander of the temple guard went with the officers and brought
the apostles without the use of force (for they were afraid of being stoned
by the people).
27
When they had brought them, they stood them before the council, and the
high priest questioned them,
28
saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name. Look, you
have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this
man’s blood on us!”
29
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people.
30
The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you seized and killed by
hanging him on a tree.
31
God exalted him to his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance
to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
32
And we are witnesses of these events, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God
has given to those who obey him.”
33
Now when they heard this, they became furious and wanted to execute them.
34
But a Pharisee whose name was Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was
respected by all the people, stood up in the council and ordered the men to
be put outside for a short time.
35
Then he said to the council, “Men of Israel, pay close attention to what
you are about to do to these men.
36
For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four
hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were
dispersed and nothing came of it.
37
After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census, and incited
people to follow him in revolt. He too was killed, and all who followed him
were scattered.
38
So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them
alone, because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people, it
will come to nothing,
39
but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even
be found fighting against God.” He convinced them,
40
and they summoned the apostles and had them beaten. Then they ordered them
not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.
41
So they left the council rejoicing because they had been considered worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
42
And every day both in the temple courts and from house to house, they did
not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus was the Christ.

One thought:

God’s Church has been through some rocky times but though it stumbles, it never falls.

Three questions:

How does God work through even unbelievers to spread the gospel?

What causes you to rejoice?

In what way do you need to obey God rather than people?

Prayer:

Give thanks that we follow God and not men.  Give thanks for past sufferings.  Ask that God would help you to rejoice in suffering.

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