Where were the apostles found? What were they doing there?
Who brought them back again? Were they forced violently? Why?
Who were the apostles brought to stand before?
What did they say to them? What were their accusations?
Who did Peter and the others say that they ought to obey?
What did Peter have to say about Jesus this time?
Who are the witnesses Peter mentions in verse 32?
Who does God give the Holy Spirit to?
How did the council react to Peter’s words?
Who was Gamaliel? What did he command?
Who was the first character Gamaliel mentioned? What did he claim? How many followers did he have? What was his end?
Who was the second character? What was his end?
What did Gamaliel advise the council to do with the apostles?
According to Gamaliel’s advice, if the apostles’ plans or work were their own, what would happen to them?
But, if the apostles’ were sent by God, what would happen?
Did the rest of the council agree with Gamaliel? What three things did they do?
How did the apostles feel about this experience?
Did they quit teaching? What did they do, and where?

Thought Questions

What kind of mindset did the priests have to have, to arrest the apostles again right after they had mysteriously and miraculously been released?
How would you respond in that type of situation? What might have given the apostles courage?
Do you think you ought to obey God or men? What if there is a conflict? Under what circumstances, that you might face in your own life, would you be willing to obey God rather than men, regardless of the punishment you might face from men? Can you think of any conflicts between the law of God and the laws of men in your society?
Read verses 30-32 again and list the main points. How does Peter’s short statement encapsulate Christ’s ministry? Would you be able to come up with such a profound, short summary under those circumstances? Where did Peter find the words and the courage? (Again, compare John 18:25-27, from just a few weeks before.)
Read verse 32. Are there some things you need to change, if you want to truly receive the Holy Spirit?
What kind of person do you think Gamaliel was? What do you think of his advice? Do you think he will be saved?
As you think through the history of various religious movements, do you see Gamaliel’s principle applying? Why do you think Christianity and Judaism has survived so many centuries? Is every long-standing religious movement true?
Are there some things in your life that you are fighting against? Are they from God or from human invention, whether your own or others’? Have you applied Gamaliel’s principle to those things?

My prayer is:
that I would have the boldness to go right back to the work God has called me to do regardless of the threats of humans;
that I would have the courage to obey God rather than human law if there is a conflict;
that I would obey, in order to receive the Holy Spirit and His power to stand up under such conflict;
and that I would have the wisdom to apply Gamaliel’s principle to the things in my life that I am fighting against–that is, if they are from humans, to know that they will pass away on their own, but if they are from God, to know that I cannot fight against God.