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These small group Bible studies of Acts 5:27-42 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 5:27-42 Bible Study Guide – Don’t Stop Talking About Jesus

Outline

I. Peter answers the high priest (27-32)
II. Gamaliel’s advice (33-39)
III. Counted worthy to suffer for Christ (40-42)

I. Peter answers the high priest (27-32)

Discussion Questions

• Who is the “they” and the “them” in verse 27?
• What fault did the high priest find with the apostles?
• How do you think you may have answered the high priest if you were in the apostles’ position?
• What can we learn from Peter’s response?
• What key principle can you see in verse 29?
• How should this principle be used properly? How might some use it improperly?
• In what kind of situation would you have to choose obeying one or the other?
• Have you ever faced this choice? What did you do?
• How did Peter and the apostles go “above and beyond” in their answer?
• Why would Peter risk making the leaders angrier by accusing them again of killing Jesus and giving a mini-sermon?
• Which key gospel points did Peter touch on in his short sharing?
• What made him so bold?

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 – And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. The religious leaders are upset –

They enjoyed power and control. But it was clear they didn’t have it. In their minds, things were spinning out of control and despite their best efforts they could not get a handle on them and bring them back under their dominion. Perhaps nothing demonstrated their lack of control more than the apostles whom they locked up subsequently roaming free and preaching at the temple! The Jewish leaders’ world was being turned upside down (Acts 17:6).

What was more, the disciples were preaching everywhere that the Jewish people and leaders were responsible for Jesus’ death. The high priest and his cohorts took great offense to this.

Acts 5:28 – “You intend to bring this man’s blood on us.”

Clearly, they didn’t want to be held responsible. They didn’t enjoy being publicly accused. However, these were the very people who readily agreed for Jesus’ blood to be upon them at His crucifixion.

Matthew 27:24-25 – So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

Reflect – Considering they had willingly agreed to take responsibility for Jesus’ death before, why were they now denying fault.

2. We must obey God rather than man –

Peter boldly declares that they must obey God first. The leaders could command them one million times to not talk about Jesus, but they weren’t going to stop. They answered to a higher authority.

See below notes from Acts 4:19.

“Peter makes an amazing statement here and declares publicly that he is going to obey God no matter what. It was not that he had disdain for his nation’s leaders. God commands us to respect and submit to governing authorities.

But Peter rightly recognized that he had a higher authority. If the human authorities stood in the way of obeying God, God comes first.

There is a hierarchy of authority that God has designed. At every level, we should be respectful and submit to our leaders. However, if doing so violates a higher authorities clear command, we must obey the higher authority. And God is the highest.

A parent is a higher authority than a teacher. If a teacher gives a conflicting instruction to a parent, the child should obey his parent.

Application – Believers should not adopt a cavalier or rude attitude toward earthly authorities. We should not go around flaunting rebellion and saying, “We follow God! We don’t have to listen to you!”

But in those cases where someone tells us to disobey God, we must humbly and steadfastly refuse. We are, after all, citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20-21).”

We would do well to remember that we answer to a higher authority. One day each of us will be held accountable for our lives and decisions. It will not be your teacher on the throne. It will not be your mother-in-law, spouse, or best friend. It will be God. Since we are ultimately accountable to God, we should live to please Him and not man.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 – But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

3. Peter speaks the harsh truth –

He does not absolve them of responsibility. He didn’t sugarcoat things or say anything like, “You didn’t know better.” They did know better. The truth was right before their eyes. ‘

He frankly says “whom you killed.”

The more resistant and hard hearted a person is, the stronger the rebuke is needed. Some people are already aware of their sin and penitent. For those types of people, don’t rub salt in their wounds. Sometimes soft gloves are needed. Other times people need to be hit over the head with a figurative hammer.

Application – When we share the gospel, we should not sugarcoat things. We are not doing nobody any favors if we skip over sin and judgment and focus only on the pleasant parts like grace. A person must acknowledge his sin if he is to confess and receive forgiveness.

4. By hanging on a tree –

Of course, we know that Jesus died on a cross. “Tree” is used figuratively here. Peter is likely thinking of the Old Testament mention that those who hang from a tree are cursed (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). The Jews did not traditionally execute people by hanging. It was considered a shameful form of death because it exposed the criminal publicly for all to see. Instead, they used stoning.

Crucifixion was quite similar to hanging from a tree in that both lifted up the condemned publicly for all to see. They were designed for maximum humiliation and shame.

It is another reminder of how the Old Testaments to Jesus. Jesus took the curse of breaking the law so that none of us have to.

5. Peter shares the gospel –

Peter sought the chance to witness to the leaders who had gathered together to accuse and punish him. He is truly night and day different in how bold he was compared to the night of Jesus’ crucifixion.

He emphasized Jesus’ resurrection, the need for repentance, and forgiveness. In addition, he reminded them that all of the apostles were witnesses to what had happened. They weren’t making it up. Finally, the Holy Spirit Himself was verifying these things were so through the plethora of miracles He performed.

II. Gamaliel’s advice (33-39)

Discussion Questions

• How did the leaders feel about Peter’s message?
• How important is asking counsel?
• What qualities should we consider to make sure we ask the right kind of person?
• What are your thoughts on Gamaliel’s advice? Was there truth behind it? Is it possible for an unbeliever to give good advice?
• Did they follow it?
• What are some other Biblical examples of people opposing God’s plan? How did that work out?
• Are there any historical examples of the “church” opposing God’s work?
• How can we make sure that we never are on the opposite side of God?

Cross-References

Proverbs 11:14 – Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

1 Samuel 19:23-24 – And he went there to Naioth in Ramah. And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

Job 42:2 – I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Proverbs 19:21 – Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. Gamaliel’s advice –

Gamaliel was apparently Paul’s teacher prior to the latter’s conversion.

Acts 22:3 – I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel.

Gamaliel warned the counsel that they should proceed with care. If this movement was not of God, then it would die out like so many others before. If it was of God, then it would be foolhardy and dangerous to oppose it.

His advice was simple and timely.

Sadly, there is no evidence that Gamaliel turned to Christ. Perhaps he was motivated out of a desire to keep his hands from getting dirty. In other words, let time solve it instead of taking a side.

Reflect – Was his counsel good or bad? Was it true or not?

It could have been worse. It could have been better. Gamaliel wanted to be neutral. He was a proponent of not taking a side. He was like the Switzerland of his day. Perhaps it is sometimes safer in the world’s view to maintain neutrality. But spiritually, it is both impossible to do and dangerous.

Jesus made it clear that there is no middle ground.

Matthew 12:30 – Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

A person is either on the narrow road or the broad road (Matthew 7:13-14).

Better advice would have been to fully investigate the claims the apostles were making. A sincere search for the truth would have led them straight to belief in Jesus and salvation. Trying to be neutral and let time solve it led to their eventual destruction.

Still, there is some truth in what he says. It would certainly be better not to oppose God!

A movement not from God would eventually fail, but that might only be true on a very long timeline. For example, we can see various cults or false religions lasting hundreds or thousands of years. In the end, Gamaliel and the other religious leaders failed in their responsibility to guide the people to the truth. They were indeed blind guides. Their eyes were blind to what was right in front of them. They were playing politics instead of seeking truth. Pride and power blinded them.

2. God sometimes uses unexpected people –

It is not the first time that the Lord used unexpected people, even unbelievers, as His mouthpiece to accomplish His purpose in a given situation.

The high priest prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation. He did not do this intentionally. He didn’t realize what he was saying. But God used him as His mouthpiece in this situation. The high priest was an ignorant and unwilling accomplice.

John 11:50-52 – Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

Another example is God using Saul to prophesy in the Old Testament. Saul was trying to kill David, but the Holy Spirit came upon him and he started prophesying. This shocked the people who were so surprised that an idiom was coined based on this event and used to convey a situation or scenario which was shocking (1 Samuel 19:23-24).

In this case, God used Gamaliel to protect the lives and ministry of the apostles. Their time was not yet up. We see God using various methods to protect them. In the preceding verses, He sent His angel to deliver them from prison. Thus, He sometimes used supernatural ways to safeguard them. But here, He used natural means.

While we should seek counsel from mature believers, we should always keep our ears open. God might want us to learn something even from unforeseen sources.

One more example is David’s response to Shimei, who was cursing him.

2 Samuel 16:10 – If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”

David realized that God might have a purpose for him being cursed in that situation and decided to be humble and not retaliate.

3. Getting good counsel –

Getting counsel before making decisions is very important. Scripture has many reminders on the wisdom of this (Proverbs 3:7, 11:4, 15:22, 24:6, James 1:5), especially in Proverbs. But not all counselors are equal. Here are some tips on getting good counsel.

• Be completely up front and honest with the person from whom you are asking for advice.
• Ask more than one person.
• Ask people who are not “yes” men. They should be willing to give you the hard truth even if it is not what you want to hear.
• When getting counsel on moral or spiritual issues, ask believers.
• Ask people who are godly, mature, and experienced.
• Take their counsel into account and weight it carefully, but remember that you are responsible before God for the final decision.

Application – Do you make a habit of asking for counsel before making decisions? Is there any area of your life or decision you need to get counsel about?

4. Be careful not to oppose God –

Gamaliel correctly advised that opposing God would be a terrible idea. But one should note that sometimes even those who are not intentionally or publicly opposing God may still find that He is opposed to them.

One example is from the book of Haggai. If the people obeyed God and rebuilt the temple, He would be with them. But as long as they were walking in disobedience and focusing on their own wealth, He was against them.

Haggai 1:6 – You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

There is no middle. So the person who is not for Christ, is therefore against Christ.

Application – Consider where God is working and jump on board!

III. Counted worthy to suffer for Christ (40-42)

Discussion Questions

• Had the Jewish leaders stopped opposing God? What was their conclusion?
• How did the disciples respond to the persecution?
• Would you be able to rejoice in that situation? Why do you think they could?
• What is a challenging situation that you face that you should rejoice while in the midst of it?
• How did the charge to stop preaching about Jesus affect the apostles as they moved forward?

Cross-References

1 Peter 5:10 – And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Romans 5:3-5 – Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

James 1:2-4 – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. They beat them and commanded them not to speak in Jesus’ name –

The Jewish leaders were supposedly taking the middle ground. However, beating the apostles and ordering them not to share the gospel was hardly middle ground. It was better than murdering them, but still far from good!

In the end, despite Gamaliel’s counsel they still were actively opposing God. The Lord does not forget and will hold them to account.

There are many Scriptures which remind us that God will not remember the sins of those who repent. But there are also verses which remind us that He will not forget those who rebel.

Hosea 8:13 – Now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.

2. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus –

The apostles were beaten. But they didn’t complain. You don’t see anger, rage, threats, or retaliation. Instead, they are filled with peace and joy. It wasn’t an act. They were legitimately joyful about the fact that they could suffer for Christ.

The idea may seem a bit foreign to us. We should remember that most of the apostles were tested when Jesus was crucified and failed. Some ran. Peter denied Christ. They opted to save their own skins instead of stand up for their faith in Christ. Doing so filled them with regret.

Here was a chance to boldly live out their faith in Christ. Passing the test filled them with joy. It was clear evidence that their faith was true and their relationship with Jesus genuine. Jesus had given His life for them. Now they had the opportunity to show their appreciation by enduring the affliction and maintaining their testimony.

Reflect – Where can you apply that attitude to your life today?

We live in an era of instant gratification and comfort. Our lives are far more comfortable and luxurious than the believers of the first century could have imagined. Yet we still complain about many things which are truly first-world problems.

How well would we handle persecution today? The Western world is big on personal rights and the freedom of speech. Standing up for those rights is ingrained into our values. However, Jesus did not defend Himself or retaliate when He was mistreated. As His disciples, should we not be more like Him?

If we remember the disciples rejoicing in the midst of their suffering, how can we complain about trivial things?