Their Charge: You Have Filled Jerusalem with Your Doctrine – Acts 5:12-42

Today we will be continuing our reading from the book of Acts, beginning at Chapter 5, verse 12, and going all the way through to the end at verse 42.

Since we have a lot to cover, we are going to jump right in.

Let’s begin reading:

12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders (or miracles) [done] among the people; (and they were all with one accord (or in harmony of minds) in Solomon’s porch. 13 And of the rest [dared] no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were [troubled] with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Acts 5:12-42 KJV

So here is the scene.

The believers were all together in Solomon’s Porch. That is just a name for this area inside the Temple Compound at Jerusalem.

Because there were so many believers now, it was no longer possible to congregate in the Upper Chamber as recorded in Acts 1:13.

The picture above is the upper chamber, located just outside the Old City Walls of Jerusalem. This also is where the last super was held.

So while the room was big enough for 120 people, there were now at least 5,000 to 10,000 Jewish believers. So they all had to meet in a place where many people could gather to hear what was being taught. And that place was Solomon’s Porch. A long covered hallway stretching along the whole length of the south end of the Temple compound.

You can see how before, the early Christians were a little bit at a distance from the main Temple area where the Pharisees and Sadducees were. But now with new believers being added daily to the church, they had to move to a bigger space inside the temple compound.

Obviously, something the religious leaders were not enthusiastic about.

Now the believers had a good reputation among the general population. The people praised them. Even unbelievers and those who did not want to associate with the early church spoke well of these believers.

And for two reasons:

First, they considered the signs and wonders that the apostles were doing (such as healings) as a good thing. And second, the unity of the Jewish believers was very evident in the sight of all the people.

When I was an atheist in college, I was invited to play soccer and to hang out with a very friendly group of Christians. When compared to my club soccer friends, they were not quite as good, or as talented, or as competitive at soccer. But something that stood out to me, and what left a strong impression on me was how unified and loving these friends were.

I observed that there was a difference between how Christians related with one another, and with how the people of the world related with one another. And the same was true for the early believers in the first century.

Even the Roman Emperor Julian observed this fact.

When it came about that the poor were neglected and overlooked by the [pagan] priests, then I think the [Christians] observed this fact and devoted themselves to philanthropy.

[They] support not only their poor, but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us.

Roman Emperor Julian (331-363 AD)

Now, Emperor Julian made it seem like the Christians had a strategy in place for their growth. But in truth, the Apostles, and the early church, did not have some marketing plan to become popular. They didn’t strategize how they might sway public opinion about them. But instead, they were simply being obedient to the commandments of Christ. And they also were filled with the Holy Spirit, which changes your heart, to be like God’s heart.

Jesus said:

35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.

John 13:35 KJV

Jesus again said:

35 ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 ‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 ‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.

Matthew 25:35-40 NKJV

The Bible teaches, that how you treat people, is how you treat God. And the early Jewish Christians took this to heart. Everyone in Jerusalem saw how these early Christians loved their brethren, and even strangers, and even their enemies. Even how they were helping the sick and the poor.

And this reputation that the Christians had helped the Apostles, because our text says that when the Apostles were arrested, They were arrested without violence, because the officers who arrested them feared the crowd. And it was because the crowd considered the believers good people. They had a good reputation.

You see how God used a positive Christian reputation among the unbelievers, and how it played an important role in the growth of the early church. And the same is true for us today. Whether the Christian church as a whole has a good reputation, or a bad reputation, what is true is that unbelievers, and the general population, are keenly observing how Christians behave and act in the world.

Verse 16 also shows how the reputation of the early church was spreading from the cities around Jerusalem.

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were [troubled] with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Acts 5:12-42 KJV

So Jews from other cities kept coming because of what they were hearing and seeing about the good works being done by the Apostles.

I think for every church in the world, this positive Christian reputation we read in Acts chapter 5 is a good formula to follow for church growth. The Bible says, let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Jesus said, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

So let your light shine. And do not grow weary.

Now in verse 16, there were two categories of people who were coming from around the cities of Jerusalem. Those who had physical problems, and those who had demonic problems. The second group may have had physical illnesses, but in their case, their physical illness was caused by demons.

This verse makes a clear distinction between physical sickness based on human frailty and demonic problems. But regardless of their problems, they were healed, every one. And they all exercised great faith.

There is a wonderful account of Jesus, on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter who was sick to the point of death. And as he was walking to Jairus’ house, a crowd slowed him down, and they all wanted his attention. And the whole crowd is pressing in on Jesus, touching his shoulders, and his back, and pressing on Him from every side.

And then all of a sudden Jesus stopped, and said, who touched me? That would be like a boxer during a boxing match, telling the ref, my opponent just hit me, stating the obvious.

But Jesus felt healing power go through him. And he turned around and told the woman who touched the fringe of his garment, that your faith has made you well. The woman with her sickness believed that if she could but just touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. This is the kind of faith these people had of Jesus, working through the Apostles, in the first century. To the extent they would travel from different cities with their sick, in order to get them healed.

Would you travel to Dallas with your sick friend, if you heard there was a man curing people there? I think we would all be realistically doubtful here in 2023. But the news these first century Christians were hearing was of a different caliber. They had good reasons to believe the reports they were hearing. And they showed their faith by traveling and taking their sick with them.

And so our text says they were all healed. Everyone.

Let’s keep reading:

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation (or extreme anger), 18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing [outside] before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man [inside]. 24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, [they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this.] 25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

Acts 5:17-26 KJV

Verse 17 starts the beginning of the second persecution of the church.

The High Priest during that time was Annas. And just as in the first persecution, the second persecution was also instigated by the Sadducees. The Sadducees have in their doctrine that there is no resurrection after death. And so they were slightly more irritated by this new resurrection doctrine being proclaimed by the Apostles.

And what resulted was that they were filled with indignation. “To be filled” means “to be controlled.” These men were being controlled by their wrath and anger, most likely fueled by either their jealousy, or their misplaced zeal for God’s law. The result is that they took hold of the Apostles, and put them in prison.

Then in verse 19, we have recorded a divine rescue. An angel of the Lord came to the apostles by night and miraculously opened the prison doors and brought them out.

And here is what I find interesting. Imagine you are a medic helping your nation in some war. And you have just been put into prison by the opposing nation because you were saving too many of their own people, and then causing them to switch sides in their fight. And to fight for you. And so you are in prison, just sitting there, waiting to be condemned. But then some Navy Seals come in, and miraculously free you from your prison.

That’s great news right? You are free.

But then the Navy Seals tell you, “Go back into the capital city of the enemy nation, where the leaders are, and save as many of the enemy as possible. Go and help them”.

Is that still great news for you in regards to your safety? The Navy Seals have just told you to put yourself in a more dangerous situation. What do you think your enemy will do once they catch you again?

Often, we all pray and ask God to give us safety, and peace. Myself included. But look at what the Angel told the apostles to do.

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

Acts 5:20 KJV

The Greek word for “stand,” stathentes, means “to stand with boldness.” The apostles were to go, not to some secret, underground church , but to a very public place, the Temple compound. They were to speak there to the Jewish people all the words of this Life.

The expression “words of this life” is a Hebraism meaning “resurrection life,” which is exactly what the Sadducees denied.

The Angel basically ordered them back into the Lion’s den, figuratively speaking. Back into a dangerous situation.

And what were the apostles’ reactions? They immediately obeyed.

21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught.

Acts 5:21 KJV

This is a good example for us Christians to follow. They immediately obeyed, and they went early in the morning.

Now in verse 21, when they heard the Angel’s command, they entered into the temple early in the morning in order to teach. It was early in the morning when the Jews would start to pour into the Temple compound for their daily routines. It was also during this morning that the high priest, the Sadducees, and the entire senate came together for a council to talk about what the Apostles were doing.

The fact that the entire senate was called shows that both the Sadducees and the Pharisees were involved. And this Sanhedrin council sent officers to the jail to fetch the apostles for trial. But what the officers found was an empty cell.

22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing [outside] before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man [inside].

Acts 5:22-23 KJV

The fact that it was shut with all safety implies that the prison doors were shut so tightly and so securely that there was no possibility of escape. Furthermore, the prison guards were still guarding the doors. But when they opened the door, they found no one inside. The only logical conclusion would be that they disappeared. Which is not really a logical conclusion. But there is no other way they could explain the cell being empty.

That’s why the verse says, “they were greatly perplexed”. And not just because they disappeared, but they were concerned with what would come from their continued teaching.

Then in verse 25, the rulers finally discovered where the apostles were. An officer suddenly showed up and told them that the ones who were supposed to be shut tight in prison were right now in the temple standing and teaching the people.

So this time the captain of the temple police, along with the officers, brought them, but without violence. It was a more peaceful arrest because the rulers were afraid of the people. The Apostles still had a good reputation among the general population. If the officers suddenly treated the apostles violently during their arrest, they would be in danger of being stoned by the crowd.

Can you imagine just being healed of a serious disease you had for over a decade, and then some corrupt officers starting mistreating and arresting your healer? I would be inclined to use my new found strength to fight for the Apostles. So the Sanhedrin council had to make very careful political moves here because the last thing they want is to upset Rome with some sort of mob revolt.

Let’s keep reading:

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We [must] obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy [Spirit], whom God hath given to them that obey him. 33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

Acts 5:27-32 KJV

So the prisoners are brought in. And the high priest took the initiative and began questioning the Apostles. And the high priest made his accusation. He reminded them that previously they strictly charged them not to teach anymore in that man’s name. Our text shows here that the religious leaders still refused to even mention the name “Jesus”. That’s how much of an anathema Jesus was to the Sadducees and the Pharisees.

The high priest also accused the apostles that they were intending to bring Jesus’ blood upon them. Which is ironic, because in Matthew 27, when Jesus was delivered by the Jews to be scourged and crucified by the Romans, all the Jewish people said:

25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

Matthew 27:25 KJV

Then beginning at verse 29, we get the response of the Apostles, where Peter again takes the lead. They told the Sanhedrin the reason they disobeyed them.

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We [must] obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:29 KJV

The expression “we must” is one word in Greek, dei, which means “it is necessary”. It was a moral necessity that left the apostles with no choice but to obey God. And if obedience to God means disobedience to man, then so be it.

And this is a Biblical principle: The Apostles were under a higher authority, and so also are all Christians. They are to obey both God and man where possible, for the Bible commands believers to obey those in authority. We read that in Romans 13. However, if this human authority commands believers to do that which the Bible clearly forbids, then believers must choose to go with God’s higher authority.

Now in versus 30-31, Peter and the apostles present the story of the Messiah. Peter said, the God of our fathers raised up Jesus. By saying “God of our fathers”, Peter was relating Jesus’ coming to the Jewish covenants as prophesied in the Old Testament. This same God, Your God and my God, raised up Jesus.

And then Peter charges them, “whom you slew”.

The Greek word for slew, diacheirizō, is a strong word meaning: to handle thoroughly, to lay violent hands upon. To kill.

Peter also emphasized the death of Jesus being hung on a tree, instead of a cross. And not even the shape of the tree being in the shape of a cross, but emphasized the tree itself. And that was because under the Mosaic Law, this was a cursed way to die. We read that in Deuteronomy, chapter 21:

22 If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance.

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 NASB95

Peter very clearly charges the Sanhedrin with the murder of the Messiah when they turned Him over to the Gentiles, clearly putting the blood of Jesus in their lap.

Then Peter goes on to say that even though the religious leaders killed Jesus, God has exalted Him to be a Prince and a Savior. And then the purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection is explained. It was to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

This Jesus accomplished by his death. Jesus came to the earth for this one purpose. To remove the sins of those who believe. And that sentence is really important. Jesus is not removing the sins of all people everywhere. Only of those who believe. You need to ask yourself, have your sins been removed yet? Do you have a saving faith in Jesus Christ?

Peter said, we are witnesses to these truths. That there is salvation in no other person: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Now in verse 33, we get to the reaction of the Sanhedrin.

33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

Acts 5:33 KJV

The greek word for “cut to the heart”, dieprionto, means to be sawn in half. To be sawn in two. It’s interesting, in Acts chapter 2, Peter preached a similar message to the Jewish crowd. And the Jews were “pricked in their heart”. But their reaction was not one of violence, but instead conviction in their hearts. They felt remorseful for what they had done. Peter preached a similar message to the Sanhedrin council, and they were cut to the heart, they were cut in two, and their reaction was that of rage.

Take heart that you can preach the exact same message to two different groups of people, and get two completely different reactions.

Now the desire was to slay the apostles and be rid of them once and for all. The religious leaders were now plotting to kill them. But there was one problem. Under Jewish Law, disobeying the commands of the Sanhedrin could not invoke a death penalty.

Now the conspiracy to try and slay the apostles was interrupted suddenly by the advice of Gamaliel. We see God always having his people in the right position at the right time.

Let’s read the rest of the chapter, starting at verse 34.

34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, [having a good reputation] among all the people…

Acts 5:34 KJV

Now according to Jewish sources, he was known as Rabban Gamliel. Now most rabbis were simply called Rav, or Ravi, which means teacher, or “my teacher”. But Gamaliel was called Rabban. This is a title above a rabbi and means “our teacher”. It was given to the head of the School of Hillel.

Gamaliel was Hillel’s grandson and also the Apostle Paul’s teacher. Gamaliel was held in such high esteem by the Sanhedrin Council, that he was able to hold a moral force with his opinion because of his own moral character.

So whenever Gamaliel issued a moral opinion and statement, it was universally accepted and adopted. That’s how great his reputation was.

There is a tradition that Gamaliel actually became a Christian, maybe even that he was a secret Christian. Also that he seriously contemplated that Jesus was the Messiah.

Here are his words that he gave to the Council.

Let’s keep reading:

34 …and [Gamaliel] commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35 And said unto [the Sanhedrin Council], You men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do as touching these men. 36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to [nothing]. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to [nothing]: 39 But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God. 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Acts 5:34-42 KJV

The result of Gamaliel’s intervention was that the Sanhedrin agreed with his advice and accepted his arguments against the plans of the Sadducees and their need to find a way to have the apostles killed.

The Apostles were called back into the Council chamber, and they were punished for their disobedience, and received 39 slashes. A punishment based on Deuteronomy chapter 25.

So for the first time in the history of the church, believers suffered physical abuse because of their faith. But the Apostles left with great joy because they were deemed worthy to suffer a kind of dishonor for the cause of the Messiah. And opportunity was given to them to continue to talk about Jesus daily in the temple and in homes.

Now what should be the primary takeaway of what we just read?

Obviously the miracles, and the good works, and the early church growth is exciting and noteworthy.

But let’s say for example, you spent 10 years discovering the cure to a rare disease. And you figure it out. You successfully are able to send targeted medicine that fixes a specific mutation in a gene. It’s worthy of winning the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

But what is to stop that newly healed person from going about living a lifestyle of sin? From hating, hurting, lying, cheating, adultery? And that is where healing and medicine falls short. I find it absolutely interesting that God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, did the most amazing miracles on people, only for them, a few decades later, only for them to die of old age, or of some other disease.

Any person with leprosy healed by Jesus, I wonder if any of them ever get leprosy again in their older age? Lazarus, who was raised from the dead, died again a few decades later.

So these amazing miracles of healing, and the good deeds of helping the poor, done by Jesus and the Apostles, was not the end goal for God.

But what did the Sanhedrin Council charge the Apostles with?

28 …behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine

Acts 5:28 KJV

God allowed the angel to open the door of the prison, and to release the Apostles, only to put them back into a dangerous situation, all to fill Jerusalem with the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

And this is what God is most concerned with. With doctrine. Accurate and truthful teaching. For you and for me to have a correct understanding of the reality of the world we live in, and for you to know that all of your actions are going to be held accountable one day by God. That God is going to judge the secrets of your heart.

Do you ever wonder why Jesus is always saying “Truly, Truly I tell you.” Over and over again, Jesus always tell us, “I tell you the truth”. I was convinced my 6 year old son Gideon did something wrong that he shouldn’t have done. And I was lecturing him about it. And he was adamant, telling me, “Dad, you don’t understand! I’m telling you the truth!” Over and over again, he was telling me that I was not understanding the situation correctly, and that he was telling the truth. So much so that I had to consider more carefully his statement.

Jesus is also adamant about the Truth He is telling us.

And it is only because by having an accurate understanding can you know that you need help and need a savior. If you don’t know these truths in the Bible, how else would you know or take seriously the need to be forgiven?

So we all need to know the truth. And to know the truth, we all need to know God’s word in the Bible.

And certain types of knowledge and information is very dangerous to certain types of governments and authorities. How could any person oppose Jesus Christ, or the Apostles, who were doing good works of charity, healing all manner of sickness and disease? Who in their right mind would not welcome, and want more, of these kinds of works in their society. Yet the persecution of Christians and the rejection of the doctrine of Jesus Christ has happened over and over again, in every generation, in almost every country in the world, to varying degrees.

The truth is, the Biblical doctrine that there is a higher authority than that of man’s authority, an authority higher than government authority, is a perceived threat to many nations. Especially if a nation’s standard of righteousness is different from God’s standard of righteousness.

In China, if a medical missionary providing medical aid to Chinese is also preaching the gospel and doctrine of Jesus Christ, you will get kicked out.

In some countries where Islam has a strong hold, you could be performing healing miracles, but if you start preaching from the Bible the doctrine of Jesus Christ on the streets, you will be harshly opposed.

And even God’s own church is not exempt from opposing the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

William Tyndale, born 1494, said that the universities during his time, and the Catholic church, have ordained that no man shall look on the Scriptures until he be indoctrinated in heathen learning for 8 or 9 years. And then after being indoctrinated with false principles, he can read the Bible. And so William Tyndale dedicated his life to translating the Bible into the common English language. A Bible “for the people” would be his mantra.

William Tyndale grew up in a time in England where the only English Bible in the world was a hand copied version by John Wycliffe, which of course was banned. To have it was a crime. And Tyndale’s mission was as dangerous as any covert military operation. To work from the Greek and Hebrew texts and create a Bible in vernacular English, so readable and so accurate that an Englishman could depend on it, learn from it, and find God’s voice in it. For this work, Tyndale was literally the most wanted man on the planet, being chased by the most powerful governing body at that time, the Catholic church.

Eventually he was caught by the Catholic church, put in a cold and dank prison for several years, and eventually condemned as a heretic and burned at the stake.

All because of doctrine. Because of specific knowledge found only here in the Bible that he wanted to make easily available to all people.

What makes the Bible such a threatening book? It encourages people to love their enemies. If someone slaps you on the cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone compels you go with him a mile, go with him two. The Bible teaches us how to live righteous before God. To know His righteous standards.

Really there is no logical reason why the Bible should be opposed, and viewed as a threat the way it is. We are privileged to live in a country where we have freedom to read the Bible in peace and in comfort. But others paid the price with their blood so that we could have that freedom.

In truth, the Bible is opposed in such an unnatural and illogical way, because there is a spiritual resistance to it. There is an evil spiritual force, led by Satan and his followers, that influences his people, and nations, to oppose God’s words in the Bible.

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 12:9 KJV

And it’s because Satan does not want you to hear the salvation message. And to be forgiven of your sins and to inherit eternal life. So Satan creates confusion, misunderstandings, and temptations. So that the leaders will think that opposing the Bible is the right thing to do.

And that is what the Jewish religious leaders did 2,000 years ago. They charged the disciples that they have filled Jerusalem with the doctrine of Jesus Christ, which they considered a great evil.

But our God is so ever compassionate, and patient with us, saying on the cross, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. What beautiful words.

I encourage you, study these words in the Bible. Understand truly what this doctrine of Jesus Christ is, and see if you can understand why it has been opposed by almost every government on earth at different points in time.

God is most concerned with us having proper knowledge and understanding of truth. To understand that we are spiritually sick with sin, and desperately in need of help. And also that we can be in right relationship with God, be filled with His Holy Spirit, and be adopted into the family of Abraham, the family of God, if you will but open the door to him.

Let’s close in prayer.

Discussion Questions

Feel free to leave discussion comments below.

Q. What’s more important, Healing and helping the sick, or sharing an important message from God to them?

Q. Are all religions and religious books accepted by your nation’s government? Has any religion or religious book ever been opposed by your nation’s government in history?

Q. In your nation’s history, have people always been able to read the Bible freely?

Q. Is the doctrine found in the Bible a threat to government authorities?

Q. There are 417 instances of the word truth, truly, or verily, being used in the Bible. Why is God always assuring us that he is telling us the truth?

Q. What truth is God most concerned with us hearing?


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