Have you been in a bad situation that you couldn’t get out of? How so?

Act I: ___________________________ (5:17-18)
4:17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
Who put the apostles in prison, and why?


What do you think it’d be like to spend a night in prison?


Act 2: ___________________________ (5:19-21)
19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” 21a At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
What do you think this supernatural jailbreak would’ve looked like?


What is impressive about the response of the apostles?


Act 3: ___________________________ (5:21-27)
21b When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.
Why was the Sanhedrin so confused?


How did the Sanhedrin respond?


Act 4: ___________________________ (5:28-40)
38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
What was the case against the apostles? (28)


What was their defense? (29-32)


What was the verdict? (33-40)


How do we fight against God today?


Act 5: ___________________________ (5:41-42)
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
How did the apostles react to this verdict?


How do you view persecution today?


Challenge: Humbly rejoice in suffering for the Gospel.


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