Introduction:

1. Our last discussion ended with the church rapidly expanding.

2. The apostles’ success riled the ruling class again.

3. This time, the persecution escalates, but so does their zeal.

Discussion:

I. Imprisoned and Released (5:17-25)

A. The cause of the arrest was plain green-eyed jealousy (5:17-18).

B. The Lord miraculously affected their release and sent them to preach “the words of this life” in the temple (5:19-21).

C. They went right back to preaching their illegal gospel (5:22-25).

II. The Interrogation (5:26-33)

A. The Sadducees were incensed at their civil disobedience (5:26-28).

B. Why won’t you obey your rulers? (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17).

C. Because our Ruler stands at odds with you rulers (5:29-32).

1. Allegiance to God > allegiance to men (5:29; 4:19).

2. The facts are against you, and the One you killed is the Ruler and Savior of Israel (5:30-32).

D. This defense made the rulers furious enough to kill the apostles.

E. Furious: Gr. diaprio: lit. divide with a saw (Mounce; cf. Acts 7:54).

III. The Resolution (5:34-40)

A. Gamaliel, a Pharisee, called for cooler heads arguing:

1. If their movement is not from God, it will fade out as others did.

2. If it is from God, you would not want to oppose it.

3. His first point is unsound (e.g., Islam, Buddhism, atheism, etc.).

B. The council agreed to their release on Gamaliel’s advice (5:40).

IV. The Resolute (5:40-42)

A. Still, they beat the apostles and commanded their silence (5:40).

B. The apostles wore this abuse as a badge of honor and went right back to defying the godless order (5:41-42).

1. Soon the leaders will put their murderous intentions into practice.

2. The church would be tested with increasing frequency and intensity.

3. The key to endurance is unswerving trust in the resurrection of Jesus and the promised salvation He brought.