Out Through the Prison Doors

“We must obey God rather than men.” — Acts 5:29

The apostles kept on telling people about Jesus. They did many miracles, and people brought sick people out into the streets on beds and mats, hoping Peter’s shadow would fall on them as he walked past. Crowds came from the towns all around Jerusalem, bringing their sick, and all of them were healed.

The high priest and his friends were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out. “Go and stand in the temple courts,” the angel said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

So at daybreak, the apostles went into the temple courts and began to teach.

Meanwhile, the high priest called together the whole council of leaders. They sent to the jail to have the apostles brought to them.

But when the officers got to the jail, the apostles weren’t there! The officers came back and said, “We found the jail locked up tight, and the guards standing at the doors. But when we opened them, there was nobody inside!”

The leaders were completely puzzled. What could have happened?

Then someone came in and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts, teaching the people!”

So the captain went and brought the apostles back, but gently, because they were afraid the people might throw stones at them.

“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” said the high priest. “But you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching!”

Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people!” And they told the council about Jesus all over again.

The leaders were so angry that they wanted to put the apostles to death. But a wise and respected teacher called Gamaliel stood up. “Be careful what you do to these men,” he said. “Leave them alone. Let them go! If what they are doing is only a human idea, it will fail. But if it’s from God, you won’t be able to stop them. You might even find yourselves fighting against God!”

The council agreed with Gamaliel. But they had the apostles whipped. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

And how do you think the apostles felt? They went away full of joy! They were happy that God thought they were worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name.

And every single day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and telling the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Gamaliel was right. You can’t stop God’s work.

Read it in your Bible: Acts 5:12–42

Dear God, thank you that nobody can stop your good news from spreading. Help me always to obey you, even when it’s hard. Amen.