The Apostles are persecuted

The Apostles are persecuted 1
God’s power was seen in many miracles the Apostles did among the people. More and more believed in Jesus. People brought the sick out into the streets and crowds gathered from the surrounding towns. All of them were healed.
The Apostles are persecuted 2
The High Priest and his associates became very jealous of the popularity of the Apostles. So they had them arrested and put in prison.
The Apostles are persecuted 3
During the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and let them out. ‘Go into the Temple courts,’ the angel instructed, ‘and tell the people all about this new life.’

The Apostles are persecuted 4
At day break the apostles obeyed and started teaching in the Temple courts. Meanwhile the High priest was being told that the prison was securely locked with the guards outside the doors but the Apostles were not inside.’
The Apostles are persecuted 5
Someone arrived to report, ‘The men you put in jail are teaching in the Temple courts.’ The captain and his officers were dispatched to bring the Apostles before the Jewish leaders of the Sanhedrin.
The Apostles are persecuted 6
‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in the name of Jesus,’ the High Priest fumed. ‘You have filled the city with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty for the death of Jesus.’

The Apostles are persecuted 7
‘We must obey God before human beings,’ Peter replied. ‘God has raised Jesus from the dead and has exalted Him as Prince and Saviour so that bring us to repent and have forgiveness for our sins. We are witnesses to this.’
The Apostles are persecuted 8
When the Jewish leaders heard this they were so furious they wanted to put the Apostles to death.
The Apostles are persecuted 9
However, a respected Pharisee, Gamaliel, asked that the Apostles were taken outside. ‘Some in the past have claimed to be the Messiah and gathered followers but none of them have succeeded,’ Gamaliel pointed out. ‘If these men are using human power they will fail, but if God is behind them you will not be able to stop them.’

The Apostles are persecuted 10
Gamaliel’s speech persuaded the Jewish leaders not to kill the Apostles. Instead the Apostles were brought back in and flogged. Then they were ordered once more not to speak in the name of Jesus.
The Apostles are persecuted 11
The Apostles left, not feeling sorry for themselves, but happy they had been worthy to suffer for Jesus. Every day they continued to tell others that Jesus was the Saviour, the Messiah.


The Apostles are persecuted
The Apostles continue to tell others about Jesus despite being imprisoned and beaten.
Acts 5:12-42