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, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. Acts 5:17-20

 While the Church continued to grow in number, the religious leaders began to get jealous and decided to throw the Apostles in prison to try and shut down Christianity. Little did they realize that God was on the side of the disciples and not the religious leaders. While the Apostles were in prison, it looked like a hopeless situation, the authorities were against them and the Church had no money or power

However God was with them, and sent an Angel to free them from prison. Imagine the religious leaders, who believed they were doing God’s work, try to comprehend and explain that God was actually against them. The Angel gave them clear commands “Go and preach the gospel”!

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. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.Acts 5:21-23

When the religious leaders went to bring the Apostles to judge them, they were nowhere to be found. Imagine the humiliation of the religious leaders and officers, when the Apostles disappeared. There was no evidence of a break out or foul play. It was a miracle that could only be explained by God Almighty

Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Acts 5:24-25

While they looked for the Apostles they found them on the street corner preaching the gospel, just as they were instructed. Imagine most people would be hiding for fear of their lives, however the Apostles had faith and were obedient to God, no matter what the consequences were

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men Acts 5:29

When the Apostles were asked, why are they doing these things, they bodley proclaimed “We obey God rather than Man” Even though there lives were threatened and they were thrown into jail, the Church obeyed God rather than live in fear of Man

This should be the model and example for the entire Church today, Obey God rather than live in fear of Man. If God is for us , who can be against us in Jesus Name Amen!