Persecution Never Stop Series

Acts 5:27-42 Persecution Never Stopped

5:27-28 Threat from Sanhedrin

5:29-33 Apostles Response

5:33-39 Gamaliel Speaks

5:40-42 Apostles Carry out the Ministry

Acts 5:27-28 Threat from Sanhedrin

Down through the Christian History, it has been a system to work against the Christians and missionaries. They had been ill-treated, threatened, and persecuted, many at times with severe hatred, enmity, and jealous for the simple reason, they believe in true God, and claim their God as the only God on earth, and they never compromised with the Truth. The High priest and Sanhedrin had commanded not to preach the Gospel and the name of Jesus. The problem was preaching the name of Jesus had brought guilty conscience to the priest and the Sanhedrin. Gospel always brings conviction irrespective of the power and position people hold.

Acts 5:29-33 Apostles Response

Peter and other apostles responded to the queries of the Sanhedrin and told them they would listen to God and obey His command rather than the men and their decrees. Apostles had unquestionable faith in Christ because they had encountered the resurrected Christ and received the anointing of the Holy Spirit has given them the power to preach and perform miracles and rendered wonders of convicting the hearers for the eternal salvation. The Spirit-filled Christian could not hold his joy in Christ but to express to everyone amid threats and persecution, furious response to put them to death from political and religious powerheads.

Acts 5:33-39 Gamaliel Speaks

Gamaliel was a teacher of the Law and a man with dignity and honor. He addressed the Sanhedrin about the evil they indented to do to the Apostles. He advised the Sanhedrin that if anything has an origin from human will, and human intention will not prevail. The failure of such a thing has certain. So do not fight against the will of God. For all decision that has taken has to be viewed and discussed in details. We should look into the matter of whether it is from the will of God or the human mind. Accordingly, we have to deal with issues. Also, it is the responsibility of the committee members to give timely advice to committees to move forward in the proper direction, without wasting time, energy, and resources on unprofitable matters. Noting should be perceived from personal scores but with Christ's scars.

Acts 5:40-42 Apostles do Ministry

After every storm, there is calm in life. God takes control of things, and he will help to sail through rough seas. The shake and jolting could be there to strengthen your faith in God, but God would never allow your boat to capsize if he is the captain of your Ship. He can grant you a peaceful voyage and take you to the ashore. The threats, persecutions, and floggings had made them be more firm in their faith and grow in the Lord. God always trains His children to stand against at all odd times in life if they are committed to His cause and driven by His Love.

Discussion:

1. The mission always faces opposition but never given up – Discuss.

2. How do we respond to the barriers we come across in Ministry.

3. How do we serve in the Committees while arriving at decisions? Are we helping or blocking progress?

4. Share your personal experience in sharing Christ's love and facing issues.

(Please refer for the series of Studies in Acts...)