Acts 4:5-5:42

Main Idea: (I.) Despite continued opposition from the outside, and (II.) despite public sin in the church, the church continues to grow and (III.-IV.) the Apostles are freed (in surprising ways) to continue boldly preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus

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III. Opposition from Outside Intensifies...

III. Opposition from Outside Intensifies ()

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- the 1st of 2 surprising ways the Apostles are freed to keep on preaching & teaching: _an angel frees them from prison_

- the 1st of 2 surprising ways the Apostles are freed to keep on preaching & teaching: an angel frees them from prison

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Longest part of this section (): Apostles are, once again, brought back to the council

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In , after the council was left wondering what would come of this, someone came to them and reported 2 things: ...

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#1: the apostles were teaching (as the angel had told them to do), and

#2: that the apostles were doing so in the temple (which is where the angel told them to do it)

#1: the apostles were teaching (as the angel had told them to do), and

#2: that the apostles were doing so in the temple (which is where the angel told them to do it)

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Closer look: Peter’s 2nd sermon in this section - (cf. )

Closer look: Peter’s 2nd sermon in this section - (cf. Acts 4:8-12)

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In , Peter replies and in vv. 30-32 he proclaims what God has done through his son, Jesus

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3 questions about his sermon (); each question has a two-part answer

3 questions about his sermon (Acts 5:30-32); each question has a two-part answer

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Question #1 (re: ): What 2 things has God done in regards to Jesus (one in v. 30, and the other in v. 31)?

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Answer: #1 - raised Jesus, and #2 - exalted Jesus

Q1 Answer:

#1 - raised Jesus, and

#2 - exalted Jesus

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Question #2 (): What two words describe Jesus (what two ‘titles’ did God raise him “as” (in v.31)?

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Q2 Answer:

“Leader” (NASB: “Prince”; NET: “Founder” (of a movement))

“Savior”

Q2 Answer:

#1 - “Leader” (NASB: “Prince”; NET: “Founder” (of a movement))

#2 - “Savior”

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Question #3 (): As “Savior”, what 2 things did God intend Jesus to “give” to Israel?

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Q3 Answer:

#1 - “repentance”

#2 - “forgiveness”

Q3 Answer:

#1 - “repentance”

#2 - “forgiveness”

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In verse 32, Peter notes that it is NOT only he and the Apostles are witnesses, but also the Holy Spirit

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Question (): What else does Peter say about the Holy Spirit (two more things)?

Question (Acts 5:32): What else does Peter say about the Holy Spirit (two more things)?

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, Answer: The Holy Spirit is:

#1 - given

#2 - to those who obey

, Answer: The Holy Spirit is:

#1 - given

#2 - to those who obey

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Question: How do we know this was a controversial thing for him to say?

What clues are there … in the following verse?

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, Answer: the Religious Rulers:

________

#1 - “enraged”, and

#2 -”wanted to kill them”

, Answer: the Religious Rulers:

#1 - “enraged”, and

#2 -”wanted to kill them”

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IV. Opposition Opposed ()

IV. Opposition Opposed (Acts 5:34-42)

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Overview ()

#1 - a resolution to this conflict is proposed (2nd of 2 …) ()

#2 - Religious Rulers respond to this proposal ()

#3 - Apostles response, and continuing results ()

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In Part 1 of this last section () Gamaliel:

#1 - is introduced by Luke ()

________

#2 - gives his main warning (), with two examples (), and

#3 - expands upon his advice ()

In Part 1 of this last section () Gamaliel:

#1 - is introduced by Luke ()

#2 - gives his main warning (), with two examples (), and

#3 - expands upon his advice ()

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#3 - Gamaliel expands upon his advice in 4 ways ()

#1 - keep away and leave them alone (v.38a)

________

#2 - If it’s of man, it will fail (v. 38b)

#3 - If it is of God, you won’t overthrow it (v.39a)

#4 - you might be opposing God himself (v.39b)

#3 - Gamaliel expands upon his advice in 4 ways ()

#1 - keep away and leave them alone (v.38a)

#2 - If it’s of man, it will fail (v. 38b)

#3 - If it is of God, you won’t overthrow it (v.39a)

#4 - you might be opposing God himself (v.39b)

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Question: Is this good advice? Which parts are good? Not good?

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Is this good advice for our day and age? Which parts are good? Not good?

Question: Is this good advice for our day and age? Which parts are good? Not good?

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In Part 2 of this last section, we see how the council responds ()

#1 - take his advice, but...

#2 - beat the Apostles,

________

#3 - repeat their warnings, and

#4 - release the Apostles

In Part 2 of this last section, we see how the council responds ()

#1 - take his advice, but...

#2 - beat the Apostles,

#3 - repeat their warnings, and

#4 - release the Apostles

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Question: What’s different about their actions towards the Apostles this time, versus than in their previous encounter back in ?

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Answer: This time (), the council had the Apostles beaten

40 lashes (minus 1)

________

Remember what the council wanted to do back . What was it? ...

Answer: This time (), the council had the Apostles beaten

40 lashes (minus 1)

Remember what the council wanted to do back . What was it? ...

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The council had wanted to kill the Apostles, after Peter’s second sermon. But, Gamaliel intervened. This is the 2nd of 2 surprising ways the Apostles were freed to continue teaching and preaching in the name of Jesus.

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In the third and final part of this section, we see the Apostles respond () and continuing results ()

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Question: Why were the Apostels beaten? ()

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Answer: They continued to preach and teach in the name of Jesus

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Question: What prayer was answered (that enabled them to continue preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus even though they had been warned not to)?

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Answer: Prayer for boldness -

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text of

Acts 4:29 ESV

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,

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Other observations, or comments? Any questions?

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What about application? How should this passage recording the back and forth between the Apostles and the increasing opposition from the Religious Rulers impact your daily life?

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Another way of thinking about application is asking yourself this question instead: what would I not know if this passage / verse / account or story were not here? How would my life be different if these things had not been revealed to me, by God?