SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON 12
(Acts 5: 17-42)
By Pastor Biakson
TOPIC: The Confrontation of the Apostle and Sanhedrin
The lesson focus on the bravery of the apostles on the face of ridicule and attack of the Sanhedrin and how they stand firm on their faith despite a life threatening situation.
Memory Verse
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”
Broad themes of the lesson:
1. The apprehension and escape of the Apostles (Acts 5:17-21a)
This is the second time the apostles were arrested and thrown into prison. They were however rescued from the prison by the angels and they then continued preaching the gospel of life within the walls of the temple.
2. The apostles were confronted by the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:21b-25)
The Sanhedrin were agitated when they heard of the escape of the apostles but they could not act as they feared the masses present at the temple.
3. The arrest of the Apostles and judgment before the High priest (Acts 5: 26-32)
The apostles were given a stern warning not to speak about Christ or mention his name in any way. The apostles however are not moved by such warnings and they continue with the work they did i.e. preach the gospel of Christ. Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
4. The Sanhedrin wanted them (the Apostles) dead and the intervention of Gamaliel (Acts 5:33-39)
The Sanhedrin when they hear the response of the apostles are furious and wanted to put them to death. Gamaliel, a Pharisee advised them to let the apostles be and not bother them.
5. Setting the Apostles free and the continuation of their teachings (Acts 5:40-42)
The apostles after having them flogged are set free by the Sanhedrin and are warned not to speak of Christ. The apostles instead of being afraid of the warnings served by the Sanhedrin rejoice on their suffering and continued to preach as they had done before.
LESSON TO LEARN
1. Persecution is not a punishment but suffering for a righteous cause, a suffering in the name of Christ (Matthew 5:10; 2 Timothy 3:12; John 15:18; Matthew 10:22)
There is a difference between persecution and punishment. The punishment received for the wrong things done by one is not a persecution. Persecution pertains to the ill treatment or oppression suffered due to ones belief or affiliation with a certain belief system.
There are two types of persecution: Verbal and action.
Just as the apostles are persecuted by the leaders of their time, Christians of today are bound to face persecution. A Christian who doesn’t face any persecution cannot be regarded as a successful Christian. While talking about persecution today, it may not come from our adversaries but comes from the closest of our friends, relatives and in college or universities.
2. Persecution in the name of Christ is a privilege and a blessing (Matthew 5:10-12; 1 Peter 4:4-16)
God expects Christians to be faithful and stand firm at the face of persecution in any way. This is the greatest test of our faith in Christ. We must be ready to face any kinds of persecution, even to death. Being faithful and unyielding is what is demanded of us as followers of Christ.
