Page 37 - Acts Student Textbook

and Phil. 2:25-30, he seems unable. Why are some healed and not all, and is there a time window
connected to healing which has closed?

I surely believe in a supernatural, compassionate Father who has and does heal physically as well as
spiritually, but why is this healing aspect seemingly present and then noticeably absent? I do not
think that it is connected to human faith, for surely Paul had faith (cf. 2 Corinthians 12). I feel that
healing and believing miracles affirmed the truthfulness and validity of the gospel, which it still does
in areas of the world where it is first proclaimed. However, I feel that God wants us to walk by faith
and not by sight. Also, physical illness is often allowed in believer's lives (1) as temporal punishment
for sin; (2) as consequences of life in a fallen world; and (3) to help believers mature spiritually. My
problem is that I never know which one is involved! My prayer for God's will to be done in each case
is not a lack of faith but a sincere attempt to allow the gracious, compassionate God to work His will
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in each life."

In 5:17 Luke tells us that high priest and the Sadducees "were filled with jealousy" The Greek word
simply means "to boil." Therefore, context must tell us it is zealousness or jealousy. This shows the
true motivation of the religious leaders, jealousy! Here Dr. Bob Utley makes an interesting
observation that in Luke's Gospel Jesus' main enemies were the Pharisees, but in Acts His followers'
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main enemies were the Sadducees.

The high priest and Sadducees again arrest the apostles (5:17, 18). An angel released the apostles
and commanded them to preach (5:19, 20). The apostles were arrested again and accused of
disobeying the council’s orders (5:26-28). The apostles affirm they have a greater duty to obey God
than to submit to any human authorities (5:29).

What was Gamaliel’s advice to the council (5:34-39)

One member of the council was a Pharisee named Gamaliel, respected by all and learned in the law
(Acts 22:3 tells us he was the teacher of Saul of Tarsus).

In which way was Gamaliel’s advice both good and bad? (5:38, 39)

Note that Gamaliel correctly observed the two possible sources of all religious movements: from God
or from men. This was the real issue to be considered regarding the apostles’ teaching, and it is the
real issue today regarding the origin of religious views and organizations. On the other hand,
Gamaliel’s advice was also bad in that, if the doctrine was from God, the rulers should not have just
“let them alone,” but should have actively accepted the teaching and become Christians. These were
the religious leaders who should have been standing for the truth and leading the people in it. To
save their souls they should have accepted the truth. In short, Gamaliel advocated a middle-ground
compromise. When truth vs. error is the issue, the middle ground belongs to the Devil. We must
stand for the truth and oppose the error as Peter did in this case.

5:40-42 - The apostles were beaten but continued teaching
What a joyful attitude to be able to rejoice even when persecuted (cf. Matt. 5:10-12).

24 Uttly, (Acts 5:16).
25 Ibid, (v17).
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