Faith and Unbelief
January 26, 2025 Preacher: Dan Wong Series: Acts
Passage: Acts 5:17–42
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Click here to see the sermon discussion questions or see them listed below. We highly encourage you to listen, think, and talk about the sermon. These are questions you can reflect on by yourself, with your family, or with your small group.
Sermon Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think the unbelieving world was so opposed to Christ and His people? What crime or wrongdoing was the early church guilty of, that warranted the persecution against the apostles? Does the same kind of persecution exist against the church today? What do you think is at the root of persecution against Christ and His church?
- The Jewish religious leaders were jealous of the apostles. What do you think was at the heart of this jealousy (and all jealousy)? Why is jealousy such a powerful emotion? Why is jealousy incompatible with Christianity?
- In our passage, when the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and freed the apostles, he told them to go right back to doing the very thing that got them thrown into prison in the first place - preach the gospel - and the apostles immediately obeyed! What do the apostle’s actions tell you about the depth of their beliefs? Why do you think they were so willing to risk their lives to proclaim the “words of this Life”? Is the depth of your faith similar to that of the apostles? Are we willing to proclaim the “words of this Life” even if it means persecution? Why or why not?
- As powerful as the council, the Senate of Israel, the officers, guards, captain of the temple and chief priests might be, they are still left perplexed and afraid. We see that real power and authority are found in Christ and His resurrection. How does the reality of Christ’s resurrection embolden and empower the apostles to stand up to and oppose the powerful religious leaders of their day? How should the power of the resurrection embolden you to proclaim the “words of this Life”?
- The apostles experienced persecution and torture, but in spite of their pain, they rejoiced that they were found worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. Think about the reason for the apostles’ suffering and explain how invincible joy is born out of suffering for Jesus’ name. Do you have this kind of joy? If not, how can we experience this kind of joy?

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