REFLECT: 
Acts 12 tells the story of Peter’s miraculous escape from prison and subsequent execution by King Herod. You may have wondered why incarcerated Peter was able to sleep like a baby in that jail cell in such a high stake situation.  He’s been here before! Acts 5:17-42 tells another story of Peter’s miraculous escape from prison, this time from Jewish leaders. If you had been present at that council when Gamaliel spoke, what about his words would have been chilling? What about Peter’s response to this potential execution-turned beating is convicting to you?

RESPOND: 
A decade before this experience, Jesus told Peter, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail over it!” (Matthew 16:18). How is this promise encouraging to the Church universal and to our church today? God’s movement through the Church as unstoppable (Acts 5:39) does not mean suffering isn’t part of the deal.  Peter and the disciples rejoiced that they had been counted worthy of suffering for Jesus.  What are the ways in which we are willing to suffer for Jesus’ sake?  What might it mean if we aren’t suffering in any way for Him at all? As you pray today, remember many in The Church universal who suffer greatly for their faith in Jesus: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

READ: Acts 5:33-42 
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.