Bible Studies

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Acts5:17-29
The Apostle Meet Opposition
Jail, the first sting in the tail
Imprisoned Apostles Freed


17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
Apostles on Trial Again

22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

Try and come up with your own answers to the questions below before looking at the answers.

Remember that there might be more than one answer to a quetion; so you might be right even if your answer is not the same as given. Involve the Holy Spirit. Ask Him questions. Let Him guide you.

Questions

1. Why were the apostles imprisoned?
2. What happens after the imprisonment?
3. What did they do after being released?
4. What does that portray about their character?
5. What was the reaction of those who imprisoned them?
6. Why were they afraid of the people?
7. What was the particular objection of the council and why?
8. What lessons on witnessing can we learn from this?
9. What was Peter response to the opposition?
10. What does God do when we're opposed?

Answers

1. For preaching the Gospel.
2. An angel came to release them.
3. They continued to preach as they used to do.
4. They were tenacious, dogged, determined, obedient, committed and uncompromising.
5. They were very concerned and perplexed when thy could not find them initially.
6. They thought the people may rise up against them and even kill them.
7. The use of the name of Jesus. They did not want to be accused of being responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion. They also did not want the spread of the teachings about Jesus.
8. The name of Jesus is powerful; strikes fear in the heart of the enemy; we must use it more often. He may allow us to go through difficult patches to strengthen us and prepare us for the future.
9. He did not buckle under pressure. There will be opposition We need to be strong and stand to see our salvation. As we open our mouths God will fill it.
10. God always cares for His people regardless of what they face. Angelic ministry was and is still available. God may also use people to help us- people unexpected.

Application
God wants us to witness.
We would be opposed and in some cases even imprisoned as in some communist or Islamic countries.
We need to be bold and strong and use wisdom in such situations.
We need to pray for those who are being persecuted.
We should not discount angelic ministry.
God has not changed and can use angels to help us even today.
He can also use people we do not expect to help us.





Memory verse
“We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29

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