BibleProject | Upside-Down Kingdom / Part 2 - ActsSample

As we continue reading, we see the Jesus movement grow rapidly, as Jewish people from other nations begin to follow Jesus. As they receive the power of the Holy Spirit, their lives are changed, and the community begins to live in a radically new way, full of joy and generosity. They share daily meals together, pray regularly with one another, and even sell their stuff to provide for the poor among them. They learn what it means to live under a new covenant, where God’s presence resides in people instead of a temple. 

You might know about the strange story in the book of Leviticus about the two priests who disrespected God in the temple and then suddenly died. In today’s selected reading, Luke tells a similar story about two people who dishonored the Holy Spirit’s new temple and died. The disciples are alarmed. They understand the seriousness of this new covenant and receive the warning, and the corruption in the new temple is corrected. But the corruption in the old temple building persists as the religious temple leaders continue to fight against Jesus’ followers and his message. The high priest and his officials are so threatened by the apostles that they throw them in prison again, but an angel breaks them out of jail and tells them to go to the temple to continue sharing Jesus’ Kingdom message. The religious leaders insist the apostles stop preaching about Jesus, but the apostles persist. At this, the religious leaders are ready to kill the apostles, but a man named Gamaliel stops them by arguing that if their message is from God, nothing at all will be able to overthrow it.

Read, Reflect, and Respond:

• What do you think Ananias and Sapphira thought they would lose if they told the truth about their donation? What did they choose to do in order to protect themselves from that loss, and what happened afterwards (see 5:1-11)? 
• What do you think the apostles thought they would lose if they obeyed God instead of the religious leaders? What did they choose to do despite what they could lose, and what happened afterwards (see 5:29 and 5:40)? How did the disciples feel about the consequences of their obedience (see 5:41-42)?
• Reflect on Gamaliel’s 2000-year-old words (5:34-39) and the fact that Jesus’ message continues to change the world today. What thoughts, questions, or feelings does this inspire for you?
• Turn your reading and reflection into a prayer from your heart. Express your gratitude for God’s unstoppable message. Be honest with him about everything and ask for his Spirit to fill you with the courage and trust you need to obey him no matter the cost.