Acts 5:17-42

Background

Set the scene: The apostles had been performing many signs and wonders among the people, and believers were increasingly added to the Lord

Preview: Today we'll see how God's purposes cannot be thwarted and how the apostles responded to persecution with joy

1. Opposition to the Gospel Is Inevitable

Acts 5:17–21 ESV

17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

God’s work threatens the ruling powers of this world

The Sadducees were particularly opposed to the resurrection teaching

Public prison:

Common jail for ordinary criminals, not religious detention

Represented public humiliation and harsh treatment, showing escalating opposition

God's power cannot be contained

Physics things

The angel's deliverance demonstrates God's sovereignty

Divine release demonstrated God's authority over human constraints

Obedience to God takes precedence over human authority

The apostles immediately returned to public teaching

John 5:19–20 ESV

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

2. Our Primary Allegiance Must Be to God

Acts 5:21–32 ESV

21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Richard Wurmbrand Story (Romania, 1940s-1960s)

Lutheran pastor imprisoned 14 years for underground ministry

Tortured repeatedly to renounce faith; refused

Famous quote: "I have found truly joyful Christians only in the Bible, in the underground church, and in prison"

Founded Voice of the Martyrs after release

Testified before US Senate with torture-marked body

Spent remaining life advocating for persecuted Christians worldwide Acts 5:21b-32

Human authorities were confounded by God's intervention

The prison was secure, but the apostles were free

Isaiah 29:14 ESV

14 therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”

The apostles' boldness came from conviction, not rebellion

"We ought to obey God rather than men"

They proclaimed the gospel even to those who opposed them

Focus on Jesus' resurrection, exaltation, and offer of forgiveness

Matthew 10:28 ESV

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Romans 1:16 ESV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

3. God Can Use Unexpected Sources to Advance His Purposes

Acts 5:33–39 ESV

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,

God can work through unexpected people

Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, provided protection

Wisdom recognizes God's sovereign hand in history

False movements fail, but God's work endures

The test of time reveals what is truly from God

"If it is of God, you cannot overthrow it"

1 Corinthians 3:19 ESV

19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”

Proverbs 19:21 ESV

21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

They Could Not (Sandi Patty. 1982)

They listened to the teaching about a Father's plan But could they really understand, they could not

So finally upon a rugged cross They killed the man who would not suffer loss And when at last they took what willingly He gave He died, but could they keep Him in the graveThey could not,

They could not Praise God, they could not And when at last they took from Him what willingly He gave Could they keep Him in the grave, could they keep Him in the grave, Could they keep Him in the grave...They could not,

They could not Praise God, they could not

4. Suffering for Christ Is a Privilege

Acts 5:40–42 ESV

40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Helen Roseveare Story (Congo, 1960s)

British missionary doctor in Congo during civil war

Captured by rebels in 1964 uprising

Beaten, assaulted, and nearly killed for her faith

Later returned to same region to continue medical ministry

Wrote: "To be a living sacrifice will involve all my time"

Five months of captivity transformed into lifetime of powerful testimony

Medical work continues today through centers she established

Persecution didn't stop the apostles from their mission

They continued teaching "daily in the temple, and in every house"

The apostles found joy in suffering for Christ

They were "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer"

Faithfulness is measured by perseverance, not comfort

"They did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ"

Matthew 5:11–12 ESV

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Philippians 3:7–10 ESV

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Closing

Opposition to the Gospel Is Inevitable

Our Primary Allegiance Must Be to God

God Can Use Unexpected Sources to Advance His Purposes

Suffering for Christ Is a Privilege