CHILDREN STS LESSON 26 PERSECUTION OF THE APOSTLES
TEXT : Acts 5:12-42
Before Jesus’ ascension to heaven, He told His friends that they will do wonderful things in His name. He said people will try to stop them by putting them in prison, killing them and doing all sorts of things to them. But He promised to be with them always (Matthew 28:18-20).
In our Bible passage today, we see all that and more happening just as Jesus said. God did so many signs and wonders among the people where the friends of Jesus went preaching in Jerusalem. These signs and wonders made them look special before other people who were not yet friends of Jesus.
As a result, many turned from their evil ways, believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and joined the church (Acts 5:12-15). On the other hand, the religious rulers were not happy with them. They arrested the apostles and put them in prison. God fought for them and gave them victory. God will also give all friends of Jesus victory in times of persecution. You only need to trust Him and endure for Christ’s sake.
- GREAT MANIFESTATION OF GOD’S POWER THROUGH THE APOSTLES:
Acts 5:12-16; Mark 16:15-18
God did special miracles such as allowing the shadow of Peter to make the sick well in the streets; and many people were set free from unclean spirits (Acts 5:16,17). Everyone was happy and comforted by God’s wonderful love and works. All these were to confirm the promises of God. When we obey God in preaching the gospel, He will do great miracles through us so that His name would be glorified and sinners would be saved.
Are you a friend of Jesus? The call of God to you is that you must preach the gospel (2 Timothy 4:2). The high priest and the people who were with him were not happy that the apostles were preaching the gospel. They were so angry that they arrested the apostles, and put them in the prison to be judged and punished.
But the angel of the Lord opened the prison’s gate to them by night. He let them go and shut the prison gates. He told them to “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:18-20).
Jesus’ word is the word of eternal life. Read the word of God every day and teach others as well. His word is life (John 6:63,68)
- GANG-UP, REARREST AND TRIAL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN:
Acts 5:17-33
After the apostles were miraculously set free by the angel, the high priest and his team called together the council (the Sanhedrin) and the elders of Israel to judge the apostles. But the people they sent to fetch them could not find them in prison. They were confused about this, until someone told them that the apostles were in the temple teaching people the word of God. The Sanhedrin were special leaders of Israel who judged matters and settled quarrels among the people at that time.
When the apostles got before the Sanhedrin, the high priest blamed them for refusing to stop teaching in the name of Jesus as the high priest and the council had commanded them. Peter and the other apostles “… answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Immediately, he began to preach Jesus to the Sanhedrin themselves. We can learn the following from that:
(i) You should not fear anyone above God. The apostles knew that the Sanhedrin were a powerful group who could even order that they should be killed; but the apostles did not become afraid because of that and stop preaching Jesus. They remembered that He promised to always be with them in the course of carrying out the great commission (Matthew 28:20).
(ii) Jesus will give us wisdom and perfect answer when we suffer because of Him (Luke 21:14,15).
(iii) We must seize every opportunity to preach the gospel to people, even to those who do not want to believe, whether they are great or small.
(iv) Do not obey instructions or laws that are against the word of God. Obey Jesus only, even if you will be punished for it.
Peter preached Jesus only. His message was very simple and clear. Make your message about Jesus simple and clear too, so that people will understand, believe and be saved.
- GOD’S UNSTOPPABLE WORD OF LIFE:
Acts 5:32-42; James 1:2-4
When the Sanhedrin heard the preaching of Peter, they were convicted in their hearts but did not repent. Rather, they planned to kill the apostles. But Gamaliel, one of them who was a doctor of the law, advised them not to kill the apostles as they planned. He assured them that if the teachings and works of the apostles were not of God, the project would stop by itself, just like the works of one Theudas and another Judas of Galilee; but if the work was of God, the Sanhedrin would never be able to stop it.
Gamaliel was right. The works of Jesus and His word cannot be stopped by anything or anyone. His truth is marching on! His word and works have spread from Jerusalem to almost every place on earth today. The Sanhedrin took Gamaliel’s advice and released the apostles after beating them; but they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus again.
The apostles departed from the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. You should also be happy whenever you suffer for Jesus’ sake (1 Peter 4:14). It is a great honour to suffer for Him. He remains true to His friends even in persecution. The apostles continued to teach and preach Jesus every day in the temple and in every house. They could not be stopped.
Do not be discouraged when you suffer for Christ’s sake. If you are not yet a friend of Jesus or you are persecuting children of God, you should repent, and come to Jesus today. He will receive you and make you a champion for His glory.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 41 – ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
CHORUSES: (1) It is a great thing to serve Jesus. (2) The church is marching on (3) I will never let the devil win the battle.
QUESTIONS:
- Why was the high priest and his men angry with the apostles? ______
- What did the angel ask the apostles to do after he had opened the prison door for them? ______
- What do you learn from what Peter said to the Sanhedrin? ______
- What should a Christian do in times of persecution? ______
- How can a naughty child become a champion for Christ? ______
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary: 1. Wonders 2. Council 3. Sanhedrin 4. Apostles 5. Persecution
MEMORY VERSE: “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
LESSON: Jesus is always with His friends even in times of persecution.
THOUGHT: I will obey God always even if I am to be punished for it.
ACTIVITY: Identify two persons, or group of people who suffered for the sake of Christ in the Bible. What was their attitude during the suffering? What testimonies followed?
HOMEWORK: Find out the story of the people in our present time who suffered because of Jesus. How did they behave during the persecution. What testimonies followed their suffering.
