Pastor John Wright

It is interesting to note the interaction between conflict, the suffering of messianic believers and the healing presence of these believers in the first part of Acts. God does not preserve the apostles from suffering -- they keep getting themselves in trouble -- yet the suffering always is absorbed into the greater mission of their witness. Acts 5:33-42 is wonderful for its seeming resolve of the issue -- but don't worry, it still hasn't gone away! We still live amidst these dynamics as we live faithfully.

V. 33: Who are "they" and why do they want to kill Peter and the apostles? What is it that he has said that is so outrageous? How do these people see Jesus and the early believers? Why?

Vv. 33-39a: Who defends the early Christians? What does it tell you that a leading Pharisee witnesses on their behalf? Why does he have the believers placed outside before he speaks? What does this show?

He associates the Jesus and the Apostles with Theudas and Judas the Galilean. What does this tell you about how they were perceived? In both cases, it was the Romans, not the Jewish leaders who put down the movements of what we call 'peasant rebellion' from witin Judah. What therefore is Gamaliel suggesting in dealing with this new Jewish messianic movement? Does he believe that it is of God? What is his council? How would the popularity of the group as a result of their works lead to this response?

Vv. 39b-40: What happens to the apostles? Why? Why are they told not to speak the name of Jesus? How is this group perceived by the Jewish leaders? Why do the leaders repeat the order when the Apostles have just ignored it the first time, and explicitly stated that they would not stop speaking about Jesus? What does this tell you about the leaders power in relationship to the Apostles? How is really "free"? Why?

Vv. 41-42: Why do the Apostles rejoice, not in their release, but in the fact that they get flogged and threatened? Why is such a dishonoring really an honor? What is the basis for their dishonor? Can one separate their dishonor from their loyalty and witness to Jesus?

Why don't the Apostles listen to the leaders, but continue to proclaim Jesus as Messiah? In this context what is it to be proclaiming Jesus as Messiah? What is it for Jesus to be the Messiah? Why would they teach both in the temple and in their homes? Any guesses on the nature of that teaching? (utter speculation!).

We have here agan the disobedience of the church to the authorities. What are the consequences of this disobedience? What is the basis for this disobedience? This might be interesting to see how this works in a culture that supposedly is set on "freedom" for the individual to express oneself. What does the proclamation of Jesus as Messiah say to such a culture?

Enjoy the evening!!