These small group Bible studies of Acts 5 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Acts 5:12-26 Bible Study and Questions – Prison Escape!
Outline
I. Sign and Wonders (12-16)
II. Apostles arrested and freed (17-26)
I. Sign and Wonders (12-16)
Discussion Questions
• What does this passage teach us about God?
• What does this passage teach us about people?
• What effect did the signs and wonders have on the other people around?
• What do you think was God’s purpose in doing all of these signs and wonders?
• What did people believe about Peter’s shadow? Did his shadow heal anyone?
• How many of the people who came for healing received it?
• Do signs and wonders prove that a person’s message is from God? What other criteria can we use to evaluate the validity of a messenger and his message?
Cross-References
2 Corinthians 12:12 – The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.
John 4:48 – So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
Matthew 24:24 – For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 – The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Hebrews 2:3-4 – How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Signs and wonders were regular – God is always God. He can do miracles at any time He wants. We should not be surprised if at any point in history, God works miracles. He can choose to intervene in the natural processes He instituted in this world at any time to further his kingdom and plan.
Having said that, there are few points in history where signs and wonders are a “regular” occurrence. Even in the Old Testament times where we see miracles, there are often decades or centuries going by in between.
But in the early New Testament church, God saw fit to pour out His Spirit and perform large numbers of miracles.
He does indeed work in different times in different ways.
Hebrews 1:1-2 – Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
Do not be surprised if God does fewer visible miracles now. It is a different time period and the church is at a different stage. He had a plan then and He has a plan now. Neither should you be surprised if He does perform a miracle today. Let us not put God inside of a box.
2. Signs and wonders gave the apostles credibility –
We can see the effect of the signs and wonders that were being done.
Acts 5:13 – None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.
The apostles were held in high esteem. The miracles God did through them gave them credibility. It gave them respect in the eyes of the people. That in turn caused people to listen to and believe their message.
2 Corinthians 12:12 – The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.
3. Signs and wonders influenced more people to believe in the Lord –
Acts 5:14 – And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
The disciples preached Jesus had risen from the dead. For a lot of people, that is not easy to believe in. But it was a lot easier when they saw the messengers performing so many supernatural signs.
Therefore we see that the miracles were not the end goal in themselves. God wasn’t putting on a show for the sake of simply showing off. Neither was the end goal to increase the disciple’s reputation. Rather the miracles were a means to an end.
God’s purpose was to bring more people into His kingdom.
Application – Doing more miracles is God’s decision. But we should have a heart for the lost and be praying that more people will believe. We can follow Paul’s advice to become all things for the sake of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 – To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Hudson Taylor dressed like Chinese people and wore a braid to become like the people to whom he witnessed. He did this for the sake of the gospel.
Reflect – What are you willing to do for the gospel? What are you willing to give up? How important is it for you that people believe the message?
4. Signs and wonders brought more people –
Verse 16 indicates that people were pouring into Jerusalem from the surrounding towns. They were coming out of the woodwork. One purpose of the signs and wonders was to attract more people to come. Once there, they would hear the gospel.
Romans 10:17 – So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Application – We want to share the gospel with more people. Churches should consider healthy ways to attract and invite people to come and hear the gospel. That doesn’t mean watering down the message.
Recently my church held an international sports day. We had cricket, rugby, basketball, flag football, soccer, and ultimate frisbee. Our goal was to invite unbelievers to come and play with us. We shared a brief message about running toward things that are important in life. Every newcomer received a special gift and a personal invitation to come to church where we soon had a gospel-centered message.
Churches should never water down the message to reach the world. Neither should we compromise. That has been a major issue for many. At the same time, we should not isolate ourselves. We do not stay within our own walls and just tell others to “Come.” Rather, we are commanded by Jesus to “Go.” How can you and your church better interact with the community to share the good news with more people who have not heard it?
5. All who came were healed –
Acts 5:16 – The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
It doesn’t say that some or most were healed. All were healed. God doesn’t do things in half measure. There weren’t some cases or people that were beyond His ability. God left no doubt that He was sovereign and in complete control over natural issues like sickness and disease.
Application – If we pray for healing and do not receive it, it is not because God cannot heal. He can. It is rather because it is not His perfect plan for us. God is sovereign. He has a good plan. Let us trust Him for that.
We should also take note of the fact that God does guarantee healing for every single believer. That may be in heaven and not on earth. But He will heal either sooner or later (Revelation 21:4).
II. Apostles arrested and freed (17-26)
Discussion Questions
• What motivated the religious leaders to arrest the apostles?
• Why did their opposition to the apostles totally fail?
• What does this passage teach us about God’s sovereignty and timing?
• How might this event have affected the disciples moving forward? How might it have affected their boldness? Their faith?
• Why did the disciples not run away to avoid more persecution when they were released from prison?
• What does their obedience to go and preach again in the temple show us about them?
• How did the leaders react when they found out that they were not in prison?
• When they observed this newest miracle, what should they have done?
• Can you share a time when God has delivered you from a bad or dangerous situation?
• How does this passage give you confidence to face trials?
• Was this a one-time thing or does God still work miracles like this?
Cross-References
Psalms 2:1-4 – Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
Psalms 50:15 – And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
Psalms 34:4 – I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Isaiah 14:27 – For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Religious leaders are jealous – Religious leaders should be servants of the people. They should be humble. They are there to help guide people to follow God and share the truth with them.
Sadly, these leaders, like so many in history, were in it for themselves. They enjoyed the money, power, and prestige. In their minds, it seems that the common people existed for them to stand on and benefit from.
Jealousy fueled their actions rather than a quest for truth.
It is not the only time a leader has been jealous of a newcomer that God was using.
1 Samuel 18:7-9 – And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands,
and David his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on.
Saul’s jealousy drove him to attempt to kill David on multiple occasions.
Religious leaders and public figures are not immune from jealousy today. YouTube influencers often seek more fans and subscribers. Some may compromise their own values to get them. Even pastors or Christian speakers could be jealous of others who are more gifted, praised, or followed.
Pride is the root of jealousy. We want attention. We want to be compared favorably to others. We want others to listen to, respect, and like us.
Talk to a ten-year-old boy who is on a soccer team and tell him, “Your teammate, David, is really fast.” His answer will likely be, “I am fast too” or “I am faster.” Jealousy can cause division in everything from youth sports teams to churches.
Application – Everyone serving God is on the same team. As long as others are doing what is right and sharing the truth, we should support them. If someone else can sing, preach, or teach better than we can, praise God that He is using this person and then continue doing what He has called you to do. Be careful of a desire for praise from people. One simple application is to pray every time before you do any public service for God that He will help you be humble and give you the right motivation.
Let our attitude be the same that John the Baptist had. His disciples were complaining about Jesus’ rising popularity. This is what he said.
John 3:30 – He must increase, but I must decrease.
2. The apostles were put in prison –
No charge was yet made in their case. It was apparently to be an overnight detention until a formal hearing could commence.
3. An angel released them –
No one can thwart God’s plan no matter how hard they try. God wanted them to preach in the temple so they did.
Job recognized this truth.
Job 42:2 – I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
Chains, guards, and locked doors are nothing for God.
Reflect – What are some obstacles you have faced that God helped you go through? What are some obstacles that you face now? How can you trust in God to accomplish His perfect plan even in the face of these?
With man, this would have been impossible, but with God all things are possible.
4. The disciples boldly returned to the temple to preach – Most normal people who had been suddenly released like this would have seized on the chance to run away. The threat of their captors was not over. They still opposed the apostles. It would only be a matter of time before they found out that they were not in prison. Their lives would be in danger. The disciples could have protected themselves by simply running away and then not talking about Jesus anymore.
But they were on a mission. Their freedom gave them even more boldness and faith in God.
In Psalm 91, the writer shares how God sovereignly protects the warrior in the midst of battle.
George Whitefield once said, “We are immortal until our work on earth is done.”
That is true. It is not a reason to be foolhardy. It doesn’t mean you should close your eyes and walk across a busy street. It does mean we can have faith in God to protect us until our work is finished. That should give us confidence.
Application – Does timidity, nerves, or fear of man keep you from sharing the gospel? Pray and ask God to give you the boldness to speak up for Him even in the midst of opposition.
5. The reaction of the leaders – The chief priests convened a hearing and called in the prisoners only to find that they were not there. This perplexed them greatly. They couldn’t understand it.
Strangely, they never seem to question how they got out. Neither do they seem to care about this miracle. Once again, we see that the priests and leaders were not the least bit interested in the truth. So many signs and wonders were being performed, but they didn’t care. Their only interest was preserving their own power.
It is no wonder that Jesus so strongly condemned the religious leaders of his day and called them “blind guides of the blind.”
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