ADULT STS LESSON 182 PERSECUTION OF THE APOSTLES

MEMORY VERSE:
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

TEXT: Acts 5:12–42

INTRODUCTION

The Acts of the Apostles chapter five begins with the unsavoury judgment meted on a couple, Ananias and Sapphira, for hypocrisy and dishonesty in the early Church. The immediate effect of that was a renewed sense of God’s presence and power in the church.

A holy fear effectively kept away lightness of character and superficial profession of faith. God knows how to preserve His presence and power in the church. When God’s presence, power, and fear prevail in any church, there will be spectacular conversions, growth, miracles, signs, and wonders on one hand; and on the other, persecution, opposition, and resistance from the enemies of the gospel.

In the case of the early Church in Jerusalem, the adversaries were represented by the high priest, the Sadducees, and the Jewish council of elders. These people responded to the sweeping revival by arresting and imprisoning the apostles to contain their growing influence and acceptance among the people.

The way the apostles managed the situation provides us with enduring lessons in Christian comportment, especially in times of persecution, and it instructs us on how to handle cases where secular authorities and legislations run contrary to divine commandments and precepts.

I. REVIVAL AND MIRACLES AFTER JUDGMENT

(Acts 5:12–16; 1 Timothy 4:20; 2 Samuel 6:5–12; Acts 4:29–30; John 3:2; Revelation 19:20)

“And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch)” (verse 12).

The timely rooting out of the seed of hypocrisy represented by the death of Ananias and Sapphira had salutary effects on the church.

1. It ushered in a sense of solemnity among the believers and repelled those whose professions of faith were insincere.

2. There was a sense of holiness following the judgment, which bound sincere believers together in singleness of heart and purpose.

3. It conferred respect on the apostles, for the people magnified them and held them as custodians of God’s power for the benefit of the people.

4. The people gave more diligence to the apostles’ doctrine.

The experience of the early Church shows clearly that a church that stands steadfast on the truth will attract those who genuinely thirst and hunger for true righteousness.

However, there were those who, rather than be affected positively by a sanctifying fear of sin and its consequences, chose to abandon the fellowship in a defeatist fear. It was written about them: “And of the rest durst no man join himself to them.”

The divinely appointed way to effectively escape God’s judgment is not by distancing oneself from His commandments, but by repenting from sin and accepting Christ as Saviour.

The judgment visited on Ananias and Sapphira is representative of discipline in the church. The purpose of rebuke and discipline in the church is to instil “godly sorrow [which] worketh repentance to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear” (1 Timothy 5:20).

In spite of the temporary pain or shame of discipline or judgment visited on those who sinned, we should consider the unspeakable blessings discipline brings on those who receive it with sincerity of heart.

The same hand that punished Uzzah’s presumptuous attitude to the ark of God rewarded Obededom for accepting it into his house (2 Samuel 6:5–12).

The apostles, while under the first wave of persecution that followed the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate, prayed:

“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus” (Acts 4:29–30).

It was apparent that they reaped the harvest of their prayer as “There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one” (Acts 5:16).

Miracles of God’s mercy have often attended the preaching of the Word by His ministers. Such miracles serve important complementary roles in the gospel ministry.

1. In the case of the apostles, they proved the divine origin and approval of their doctrine.

2. They relieved the people’s sufferings and confirmed the Scripture that “…godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

3. The apostles were encouraged and emboldened to preach even more fervently in spite of opposition and persecution.

4. They helped to convince sceptics who would otherwise not come to the faith.

Nicodemus said concerning Christ:

“Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:2).

However, miracles are not an end in themselves; they are meant to lead us to the saving grace in Christ.

Jesus condemned the error of running after miracles without appreciating their deeper spiritual significance. He rebuked the Jews who benefited from the miracle of the loaves without understanding the spiritual purpose:

“Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life…” (John 6:26–27).

Besides, not all seeming miracles are truly from God. A prayerful examination of the miracle-worker’s antecedents and lifestyle may help distinguish true servants of God from deceivers, for “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16).

II. RESISTANCE AND OPPOSITION BY HERETICS

(Acts 5:17–25; 2 Timothy 3:12; Luke 1:75; 2 Corinthians 1:10)

The spiritual gifts operating in the ministry of the apostles led to the conversion of many souls and a harvest of spectacular miracles. They also stirred up bitter opposition from the high priest, the Sadducees, and the council of elders of the Jews (the Sanhedrin).

“Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison” (verses 17–18).

Persecution often arises as a response to a perceived threat to the interests of the persecutor. The high priest feared losing his authority, dignity, and influence if the doctrine of the apostles gained ground. The Sadducees’ stake was that the gospel contradicted their doctrine because it promoted the resurrection, angels, and the afterlife—all of which they denied.

Today, persecution of believers still arises from perceived threats to ungodly or partisan interests. Because the gospel opens eyes and turns people from the power of Satan to God, satanic agents will always stir up opposition against it.

The apostles were arrested and confined to prison to halt the spread of the gospel and intimidate them. But God sent an angel to release them:

“But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life” (verses 19–20).

Neither bars nor guards could stop divine help from reaching them. The angel’s charge was a recommissioning to continue their mission. Similarly, when we receive divine healing or deliverance, it is meant to make us serve God better (Luke 1:74).

The high priest summoned the Sanhedrin and Senate of Israel, and sent for the apostles. The officers were shocked to find the prison empty. God disappointed their expectations—just as He did for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel, and Peter.

Every persecuted believer can trust God’s power on their side, for He “delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver” (2 Corinthians 1:10).

III. RESPONSE OF THE REDEEMED TO PERSECUTION

(Acts 5:26–42; Jeremiah 1:7; Isaiah 58:1; Hebrews 2:3)

“With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 4:33). Yet they exhibited even more divine grace and power in their suffering than in their preaching.

In obedience to the angel, the apostles went back to the synagogue to preach. They were rearrested and charged for disobeying orders not to preach Christ. Peter and John replied, “…we cannot but speak of the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

When accused again, they answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Their reply was:

1. Precise and logical. They affirmed loyalty to God’s higher authority.

2. Courageous and truthful. They confronted their accusers with their sin of killing Christ (Jeremiah 1:17; Isaiah 58:1).

3. Scripturally grounded. They built their reasoning on Scripture accepted by the Sanhedrin.

The Sanhedrin, instead of repenting, became angry and plotted to kill them. But God raised Gamaliel, who counselled restraint—arguing that if the movement was of men, it would fail; but if of God, they could not overthrow it without fighting against God.

Despite the injustice, the apostles neither reviled nor threatened anyone. They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ—and their zeal for evangelism remained unshaken.

What a challenge to present-day believers!

Questions and Answers for Review

1. What were the effects of the divine judgment of Ananias and Sapphira on the early Church?
The judgment of Ananias and Sapphira produced a holy fear and deep sense of God’s presence among the believers. It purified the church by removing hypocrisy and insincerity, strengthened unity among true believers, conferred respect and reverence on the apostles, and attracted genuine seekers of righteousness. It also discouraged false professions of faith and led to greater seriousness in following the apostles’ doctrine.

2. Explain the purpose of discipline and rebuke in the church.
The purpose of discipline and rebuke in the church is to produce godly sorrow that leads to repentance and salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10). It serves as correction for the offender and a warning to others, promoting holiness, sincerity, and fear of God within the congregation. Discipline also helps to preserve the purity and spiritual power of the church (1 Timothy 5:20).

3. What is the role of miracles in the preaching of the gospel?
Miracles confirm the divine origin and authority of the gospel message. They relieve human suffering, encourage believers to preach boldly, and convince unbelievers of the truth of the message. Miracles demonstrate God’s mercy and validate the presence of His power, but they are not an end in themselves—they point people to faith in Christ and the salvation He offers (John 3:2; John 6:26–27).

4. Identify the basic reason for the opposition of the gospel.
The gospel is often opposed because it threatens the selfish interests, power, and traditions of those who reject its truth. In the case of the high priest and Sadducees, they feared losing their influence and authority, since the apostles’ message contradicted their false doctrines and exposed their sin. Today, persecution still arises from perceived threats to ungodly ambitions and the works of Satan that the gospel seeks to destroy.

5. What can we learn from the miraculous release of the apostles from prison and the directive that they go back to the synagogue to continue preaching?
The miraculous release teaches that God watches over His persecuted servants and can deliver them from any situation. No human barrier can stop His purpose. The angel’s command for them to continue preaching shows that divine deliverance is not for comfort or escape, but to empower believers to serve God more faithfully and courageously, even in the face of threats (Luke 1:74).

6. Mention at least two other instances in the Bible when God intervened to deliver persecuted believers.

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were delivered from the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:23–28).

• Daniel was saved from the den of lions (Daniel 6:22–23).
  Other examples include Peter’s release from Herod’s prison (Acts 12:5–10) and Paul and Silas freed from prison through an earthquake (Acts 16:25–26).

7. What can believers learn from the response of the apostles to the charge levelled against them before the Sanhedrin?
Believers learn to be bold, truthful, and loyal to God’s authority even when faced with persecution. The apostles demonstrated courage, humility, and unwavering obedience to God by declaring, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” They spoke the truth in love, relied on Scripture to defend their faith, and endured suffering joyfully without retaliation. Their example teaches believers to stand firm for Christ regardless of opposition, trusting God to defend and vindicate them.