Acts 5:33-43 Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Read Acts 5:33-39. What did some in the Sanhedrin want to do to the apostles?
What did Gamaliel predict, if the apostles were wrong? Was Gamaliel’s counsel wise counsel as to knowing and doing the will of God? What do the following Scriptures reveal as to God’s will? 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Samuel 7:21; Psalm 103:20; Ephesians 5:17; Romans 2:18; and 1 Peter 4:19

Proverbs 21:1 states, “A king's heart is a water channel in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses.” Even though there is no record of Gamaliel repenting and believing in Jesus as his Messiah (see Acts 22:3) he was used by God to accomplish His purposes. Read Ruth 1:6 and 4:14. What is the testimony of God’s invisible hand (or providence) in these scriptures?

In what specific ways does our trust in God’s invisible hand to work all things for His glory make us a dangerous church?

Application:

Trusting God’s invisible hand in your life often calls for radical changes to align our lives with God’s will. Spend some time reading and meditating on the following Scriptures. What is God calling you to do as a result of this study?

Romans 12:2; Romans 8:5; Galatians 5:16-17; James 1:20; 1 Peter 1:14, 4:2 and 1 John 2:15-17.