When Faith Meets Opposition

Thru the Bible in a Year

Acts 4–5

As we continue our journey through Scripture, today’s reading brings us into a powerful section of the book of Acts—a narrative that reveals both the growing strength of the early church and the growing hostility it faced. Acts 4 and 5 read like the journal entries of a spiritual movement under fire. These chapters show us what happens when the gospel takes root in a world that is not ready to surrender to it. They remind us that faithfulness to Christ has always carried a cost, and yet it has always brought forth courage, unity, and the unmistakable presence of God.

Reading these chapters, I am struck anew by how quickly opposition arose. The church was not yet large, nor politically connected, nor culturally powerful. It was simply alive—alive with the Spirit, alive with love, alive with conviction—and that life ignited both revival and resistance. As we walk through today’s reading together, reflect on the ways the early church’s experiences mirror the spiritual challenges of our own day. The same Spirit who strengthened them strengthens us still.

Acts 4 — Enmity Toward the Church

Luke begins with the story of Peter and John performing a miracle—the healing of a man crippled from birth. What should have been a moment of celebration becomes instead the spark that ignites persecution. Religious leaders, disturbed by the apostles’ boldness and threatened by their message, arrest them. This “arrest” marks one of the earliest instances of the world’s opposition to the church. It reminds us that spiritual awakening often exposes spiritual resistance.

The council demands to know: “By what power, or in whose name have you done this?” Their question is not curiosity; it is accusation. But Peter, filled with the Spirit, answers by preaching Christ. He does not defend himself. He does not deflect blame. Instead, he points them to Jesus—the very One they rejected, the very One God raised. This is the “asking” and “addressing” that shaped the early church’s message. Every question became an opportunity to declare Christ.

Unable to deny the miracle but unwilling to embrace its implications, the council threatens them and warns them not to speak or teach in Jesus’ name. This “action”—the attempt to silence the gospel—has echoed through history. Yet silence is exactly what the apostles refuse. They answer with an unwavering conviction: “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” And when they return to the assembly, the church does not shrink in fear. They pray. They seek God’s strength. They are filled with the Spirit once more. The result is the same as before: they preach with boldness.

Here is an insightful truth for our own walk with Christ: boldness does not come from personality; it comes from prayer. The early church did not ask God to remove persecution but to strengthen them through it. Their courage was not natural—it was supernatural.

Acts 5:1–11 — Evil Within the Church

After confronting external enmity, Luke immediately turns to internal corruption. The story of Ananias and Sapphira remains one of the most sobering episodes in the New Testament. Here we see “defilement”—a hidden lie wrapped in the pretense of generosity. Their giving was not the problem. Their deception was. They sought honor without honesty, reputation without righteousness.

Peter’s discernment exposes their “evil.” The Holy Spirit reveals what human eyes could not see. And Peter “denounces” the deception, reminding them—and us—that God is not mocked. His holiness is not ceremonial; it is relational. When they fall dead, it is not an act of cruelty but of cleansing. God is protecting the integrity of His newborn church. This moment sends a clear message: purity matters to God because His presence dwells among His people.

In a culture that often softens the seriousness of sin, this passage calls us to holy awareness. We cannot invite the Spirit’s power while tolerating duplicity in our hearts. The early church learned quickly that the Spirit who empowers also purifies.

Acts 5:12–16 — Energy in the Church

Against the backdrop of internal and external challenges, Luke shows us the unstoppable “energy” of the church. Its strength is not merely organizational but spiritual. Purity, unity, and consecration form the foundation of its power. The apostles perform signs and wonders. The community walks in awe. Even the shadow of Peter, Luke writes, becomes a vessel of healing—not because Peter is great, but because God is near.

This passage reminds us that spiritual vitality is not accidental. It flows from a church that is set apart for the Lord. It flourishes where believers walk in unity of heart and clarity of mission. Multitudes are added to the church, not because of human strategy, but because the Spirit is at work.

As I reflect on this, I realize how deeply God loves His people. He does not abandon them amid threats or setbacks. He fills them. He strengthens them. He works through them in ways far beyond human explanation. When the church is aligned with God’s heart, it becomes a channel of grace to a hurting world.

Acts 5:17–42 — Envy Against the Church

The final section reveals envy rising like a storm among the religious leaders. The apostles’ influence and the Spirit’s power make the leaders jealous. Their “indignation”—a word that translates to “jealousy”—becomes the motive for persecution. They throw the apostles into prison. But prison walls are never a problem for God. An angel opens the doors and sends the apostles back out to preach. The persecutors are utterly powerless to stop God’s movement.

Confusion spreads among the authorities—the “perplexity” Luke describes. They cannot explain what happened because they refuse to acknowledge the God who did it. They rearrest the apostles, hoping intimidation will succeed where imprisonment failed. But the apostles stand firm. Their “proclamation” is unforgettable: “We must obey God rather than men.” This sentence becomes a defining declaration of Christian courage. Obedience to God is higher than human pressure, cultural expectations, or fear of consequences.

Then comes Gamaliel’s counsel—the “perverseness” of his logic. Though he cautions the leaders not to kill the apostles, he does so for the wrong reasons. He uses poor comparisons and flawed criteria. His advice is not spiritual discernment but cautious pragmatism.

Even so, the court cannot restrain its cruelty. The apostles are beaten and commanded to remain silent. The irony is striking: their suffering only makes them more determined. Luke tells us they rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ. And when released, they return to their mission. They teach. They preach. They do not stop.

The “performance” of the apostles is a testimony for every believer: obedience is not conditional on comfort. When Christ is our treasure, nothing can stop us from speaking His name.

Applying Acts 4–5 to Our Walk Today

As we absorb the movement of these chapters, a few insights rise naturally to the surface:

Opposition does not hinder the gospel—it strengthens those who carry it.

Prayer fuels courage.

Holiness protects the unity and witness of the church.

The Spirit empowers believers beyond natural abilities.

Obedience is the hallmark of genuine faith.

These truths remind us why Scripture remains so vital. God’s Word shapes us, convicts us, and comforts us. It anchors us when culture shifts and strengthens us when challenges arise. As Isaiah says, “The word of our God stands forever.” And as Paul affirms, “The Word of God is not chained.”

As you read through the Bible this year, allow these passages not just to inform your mind but to transform your heart. The same Spirit who empowered the early church is at work in you today. He can give you boldness when you feel timid, clarity when you feel confused, purity when you feel tempted, and endurance when you feel weary.

May the God who strengthened the early church strengthen you today. May His Word take root in your heart and guide your steps. And may you be reminded that the Scriptures you study will never return void—they will accomplish what God intends in your life. Thank you for walking faithfully through the Word of God with me.

Related Article:
“Courage in the Face of Opposition” — The Gospel Coalition
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/

FEEL FREE TO COMMENT SHARE SUBSCRIBE

#acts4Devotional #acts5Devotional #biblicalCourage #christianDiscipleship #earlyChurchPersecution #holySpiritPower #obedienceToGod #thruTheBibleInAYear