More than Conquerors

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Bible Study - Acts 5:17-32

Recap

Vs. 17

The apostles are sharing the Gospel, healing the sick and possessed, and doing great things. Who’s attention do they grab in vs. 17? (The Jewish authorities)

The big dogs are back out, and they’re not happy.

“Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were...” What? (Filled with indignation)

What is indignation? Look up on your study Bible… (Jealousy)

Why do you think they were so jealous? (Ministry of the apostles)

Jealousy is a joy KILLER - Gift exchange story...

Vs. 18

Do they deal with their jealousy in a godly, righteous way? (No)

What do they end up doing? (Throw them in public prison)

Share the context of that

Crazy that they’re mad at the Christians, they’ve only done good! We get so fixated on our reputation, power, status, etc. that we miss what God is doing...

Vs. 19

The apostles are in a crummy spot now, they’re in prison!

“But at night an angel of the Lord..” Did what? (opened the prison doors and brought them out)

The irony here is amazing. The high priest and the Sadducees had them arrested. Now what do we remember about the Sadducees? (Don’t believe in angels). Christmas would be pretty depressing if you were a Sadducee, what would you sing instead of “Angels we have heard on high”, “Noises we have heard on high”? Anyway, they don’t believe in angels...

And who frees the apostles? (An angel!) Take that Sadducees!

Vs. 20

What did the angel tell the apostles to do in vs. 20? (get back to the temple and preach the gospel)

After hearing that, are you getting slightly nervous if you’re an apostle? Why? (That’s right where they got arrested)

God’s will isn’t always easy

Kings square fear

“B-back to the t-t-temple? We just got arrested there!”

Vs. 21

What did they end up doing in vs. 21? (Went to the temple and taught)

What time was it? (Early in the morning!)

What’s your takeaway from that? (No fear, quick obedience, boldness)

the Sanhedrin comes together, and they’re ready to bring the apostles from jail for their trial

Vs. 22

Did they ever find the apostles in jail? (No, they were gone!)

You can’t miss the humor in this one!

Watching neighbor’s dog and then lose it.

They lost their prisoners! Those guards had one job, and they failed miserably

Can you imagine being the guy who has to come back to the council empty handed? Scary! “So… Uhh. Yeah… About those prisoners. Well… they’re gone.”

Vs. 23

Someone tell me vs. 23 in your own words

What aspects of vs. 23 do you find jaw-dropping? (Doors shut securely, guards at the doors, and cell was empty!)

I have no idea what the angel did to pass by those prison guards undetected.

Frodo’s ring?

Vs. 24

Now the Sanhedrin just realized they lost their most wanted prisoners.

What’s going through your mind if you are one of these Jewish leaders?

Jaws dropped

Confusion

Suspicion of betrayal

“What are we going to do now?”

A group of average people were able to bamboozle the group of the toughest and most powerful rulers in Israel. You can’t explain that other than God. Sometimes it feels like we’re losing the battle to the world: especially if you’re in public highschool

The feeling of isolation as a Christian...

But we are on God’s side, and He is more wise than the wisest in the world, so He will powerfully use you if you just chose to obey Him.

Vs. 25

Vs. 25, “Then came one and told them, saying,” What?

An informant comes, maybe a priest in the temple or something like that, and shares the news. “Guys!!! Your prisoners are outside, in the temple, PREACHING!”

Christian resillience

Boxing illustration

Proverbs 24:16 NKJV

16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

Vs. 26

What are the religious leaders afraid of in vs. 26? (The people because they loved the apostles)

Christianity was booming in Jerusalem...

Follow-up: So, who really had the power here? (The apostles)

Yes, the Sanhedrin had political power, but in this passage, they’re nothing but jealous, anxious, and weak individuals. It’s a day and night difference from the apostles; they are bold, resilient, and courageous.

With God, you and I can be change-makers for the Gospel. We might be in the minority, we might even be persecuted like the apostles at some point, but we are the strong ones in the fight because God is with us.

Vs. 27

Read the verse...

Standard Jewish court procedures

Vs. 28

There’s two accusation in vs. 28, can you spot the first one? (Did we not straitly command you that you should not teach in His name?”

Should you take this as a suggestion? “Hey, by the way. If you don’t mind, would you pretty please not talk about Jesus?”

“Don’t speak in the name of Jesus or there will be consequences.”

Anyone find it strange he choses not to say Jesus’ name? Why do you think he didn’t include it?

What’s the second accusation in this verse? (Filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and put this man’s blood upon us)

What an incredible thing to be accused of. “I want to punish you because you speak in Jesus’ name so much that the whole city of Saint John is talking about this!”

How can this inspire us Christians today? (We are change-makers!)

Here’s the second half of the accusation, “and intend to bring this man’s” What? (blood upon us)

Follow-up: What does that mean? (Sanhedrin all worthy of death according to the OT)

Matthew 27:25

Vs. 29

Here’s one of the most important verses in ALL the book of Acts, someone read it please...

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We” What? (Ought)

Follow-up: Why do you think I’m highlighting this verse? (Divine obligation)

You NEED to get this figured out for yourself.

Christians crumble when they go to college on their own...

Why do some leave the faith? Because their faith wasn’t their own. It was mom’s faith, it was dad’s faith, the pastor’s faith, but not yours. You might be doing right for now, but if you haven’t figured out this principle in your heart yet, you’re being a good Christian because someone else is telling you to. What did the apostles do?

When they put God and people on the scale, who’s opinion was heavier? (God’s)

When you come to the point in life where you’re on your own, and people are pressuring you to do things you know aren’t right, this is where you had better figured out where your heart is. In your heart of hearts, who is greater to you, God and what He wants for my life, or the opinions, acceptance, and help of people.

The apostles said they have no other choice but obey God, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” I’ve worked it out in my heart, my life is not my own, I live for God, so I have NO other option but to obey. I can’t stress enough how important this is. If you don’t make faith your own, if you don’t commit yourself to living for God when nobody else is around, don’t be surprised when you end up far away from church and wrapped up in all sorts of wickedness.

Application

How can we be applying this passage to our lives today?

Obey God rather than men

That means we have to fear Him, see Him as greater than men

We can be change-makers for the Gospel witness