Gospel Outreach International

Have you ever wondered what true courage in the face of opposition looks like? This Bible study examines Acts 5:17-42, where the early disciples demonstrated remarkable obedience and bravery despite persecution. The apostles’ willingness to continue preaching about Jesus after being arrested, miraculously freed, and subsequently beaten offers us profound insights into the nature of Christian commitment and the role of the church. Their example challenges us to consider how we respond when our faith puts us at odds with the surrounding culture.

But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, Acts 5:19

• The apostles were arrested by jealous Sadducees who saw many Jews becoming Christians
• An angel miraculously freed the apostles from prison, instructing them to return to preaching
• The apostles demonstrated exceptional courage by returning to the temple to preach after being freed
• The Sanhedrin was perplexed by the apostles’ escape and feared the supportive crowds
• Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, gave wise counsel not to fight against the apostles
• The early Christians understood their primary function was to preach the gospel
• Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare that may include suffering and persecution

“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” Acts 5:20

What stands out most in this study is how the apostles responded to persecution—not with bitterness or retreat, but with joy and perseverance. They understood what Jesus had taught: that following Him would involve sacrifice and opposition. Despite being flogged and threatened, they continued teaching daily in the temple and from house to house, proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. Their example reminds us that our joy isn’t dependent on comfortable circumstances but on our relationship with Jesus. Like those early disciples, we’re called not to defend our position but to actively advance the message of Jesus, regardless of the cost. The question for us today is whether we’ll demonstrate the same courage and obedience when our faith is tested.

Bible References

• Acts 5:17-42
• Acts 5:17-42
• Matthew 28
• Acts 1
• 2 Corinthians 11:22-33