#251 - When Religion Fights Revival – Acts 5:17-33

As the early Church grows, so does the opposition. In this episode of The AL Pastor Podcast, Pastor Brian unpacks Acts 5:17-33, where jealousy and fear drive the religious elite to imprison the apostles in a desperate attempt to suppress the gospel. The Sadducees, filled with envy, publicly arrest all twelve apostles, determined to maintain control. But God has other plans—He sends an angel to miraculously set them free, instructing them to go right back to the temple and continue preaching.

Meanwhile, the Sanhedrin gathers for a trial, completely unaware that their prisoners have escaped. Confusion turns to humiliation as they realize the apostles are once again boldly proclaiming Christ in the most public place in Jerusalem. The religious leaders, now fearing the people, re-arrest them but avoid using force.

When confronted, the apostles refuse to back down, declaring, "We ought to obey God rather than men." Peter boldly preaches the gospel once again, offering repentance and forgiveness, but the Sanhedrin, cut to the heart—not in conviction, but in rage—plots to kill them.

Drawing from Stanley Horton and Eckhard Schnabel, Pastor Brian exposes the motives behind the Sadducees’ opposition, the boldness of the apostles, and the unstoppable nature of God’s Word. This episode challenges listeners to ask: Are we obeying God or bowing to human authority? Does conviction lead us to repentance, or do we resist the truth?

You can imprison the messengers, but you can’t silence the gospel.