Acts 5:17-42

Acts 5:17-42

v. 17-18 Back to Jail: Not just Peter and John, but possibly all 12 apostles

Two Reasons:
1. Witnessing to the resurrection (4:33) which was in direct contradiction to the Sadducee’s teachings that there is no such thing as life after death. (Acts 23:6-8)

2. Fear of social disruption through the power of the emerging church.


v. 19-21 An Angelic Visitation: Miracles can be done by non-human agents of God

God gives the command – via the angel – to disobey the ruling officials.


v. 22-26 Busted Again: No force used this time – v. 26


v. 27-28 Reaching the city for Christ: “filling Jerusalem with your doctrine…”

T
he cities of America are dark and broken places. It is in these areas where darkness intensifies. We must seek to have God's heart for the city and not to abandon it; to go into the darkness and there let the light of the Gospel shine. In doing this we must continually come back to the Gospel in dependence so that we might go forth in power. Not to be entertained or entrapped by the city, but to engage the city for Christ.
We must therefore posture ourselves in a special way toward the city. We are not to despise the city and thus withdraw from it, nor are we to reflect the city in a complete blending like a chameleon without distinction to the environment, nor are we to simply use the city, but rather we are to love and serve the city as good neighbors and aliens.

v. 29-32 Civil Disobedience
1. Obey God rather than man
2. The Message is a direct challenge to false authority


v. 33-40 The Verdict
Gamaliel – chief mentor to Saul of Tarsus (Paul the Apostle) – Acts 22:3

Let God determine the authenticity of their message. V. 37-39
Flogged and silenced and released

v. 41 Reaction of Apostles
Matthew 5:10 Romans 5:10 1 Peter 4:13-16 Hebrews 12:2

v. 42 Uncompromising Sense of Purpose