Exploring the Book of Acts: PersecutionSample

Momentum Meets Opposition

The church continues to grow in number as many signs and wonders are done by the apostles in the temple. As a result, the religious leaders are increasingly filled with jealousy and imprison all the apostles. This time, God responds by sending an angel to free them, and they return to teaching in the temple courts. Building on the hostilities in Acts 3-4, a pattern emerges in which persecution further spurs mission as the church responds in faithful obedience and boldness.

Read Acts 5:12-42 and then consider:

1. After receiving their first warning in the previous chapter (Acts 4:5-22), the apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin for the second time. In what ways do you see an escalation in the responses of the religious leaders?
2. What does the angel’s supernatural intervention show us about God’s priorities? How persistent are you when you face opposition in ministry?
3. What does Gamliel’s response reveal about his understanding of this ‘Jesus movement’? How does God use his insight to rescue the apostles?
4. Compare the apostles' reaction to that of the religious leaders when they are each publicly humiliated and challenged. How do these responses challenge our understanding of being dishonored?