[NIV] 17 Then the high priest and all his associates, whowere members of the party
of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. - P148
22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not findthem there. So they went back and reported, 23 "Wefound the jail securely locked, with the guards standingat the doors; but when we opened them, we found noone inside." - P148
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obeyGod rather than human beings! - P149
30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from thedead-
whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. - P149
32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the HolySpirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." - P150
38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leavethese men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose oractivity is of human origin, it will fail.
- P151
39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stopthese men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God - P151
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing becausethey had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace forthe Name. - P151
42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from houseto house, they never stopped teaching and proclaimingthe good news that Jesus is the Messiah. - P151
The Sadducees put the apostles in prison, but an angel of God brings themout. The apostles are then brought before the Sanhedrin. A Pharisee namedGamaliel suggests they be left alone because if what they do is of humanorigin, it will fail on its own but if it is from God, no one will be able to stopthem. The apostles are flogged and released. - P149
Sometimes following God can be costly. - P152
As God‘s church begins togrow and the good news of Jesus begins to spread, persecution alsobegins to increase. - P152
But the apostles are not deterred. Rather, they arefocused on the mission God has given them (Matt. 28:18-20). - P152
Thegood news is too important they have to share it. "For Christ‘s lovecompels us," Paul would later record (2 Cor. 5:14). - P152
The apostles are notafraid of the suffering that might come. Sometimes we may feel toointimidated to obey God. We are concerned about what others mightthink or what the consequences might be if we obey. - P152
The apostles‘ bolddeclaration should be our motto, too.
"We must obey God rather thanhuman beings!" (Acts 5:29). - P152
What can stop the spread of the kingdom of God? The answer is, nothing can. - P152
Three obstacles attempt to stop God‘s church from growing:human authority, human suffering, and human lays. - P152
First, the author-ities try imprisonment. Then, they flog the apostles. Finally, they com-mand them to be silent. But these have the opposite effect: the apostlesrejoice that they are "worthy of suffering" for Jesus! - P152
Today, nearly twothousand years later, God‘s kingdom continues spreading over all theworld. - P152
Gamaliel‘s words in verse 39 have proven true: God‘s kingdomcannot be stopped. - P152
When we obey God despite suffering, nothing canprevent His kingdom from advancing. As Jesus promised, "I will buildmy church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" (Matt. 16:18). - P152
Father, thank you that no obstacle can stop the spread of Your kingdom. Youwant everyone to know that Jesus can save them. - P153
When I am discouraged,
help me to remember how the apostles rejoiced in suffering for Your name.
In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P153
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