The book of Acts describes the growth of the church from Jerusalem out toward the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). But as the disciples preached, the religious leaders opposed God’s will for the gospel to go forth. In Acts 5, these leaders thought they could keep the apostles from preaching by throwing them in jail. However, an angel of the Lord opened the jail so they could escape and continue the preaching.

The church continued to grow through the sovereign Lord pouring out His Spirit on people as they came to trust in Christ. But this happened in the midst of persecution and opposition.

After Peter’s preaching and the group’s prayer for God to work miraculously, they showed a unity perhaps never seen before. One of their first actions was to give generously to meet the needs of fellow believers in Christ. No one claimed ownership of anything; instead, everything belonged to God. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, these believers were transformed from the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders in chapter 3 to living out an authentic faith in Jesus’ resurrection. Then, in response to an act of deception in chapter 5, God shows His desire for purity in the church, which He died for and purchased with His own precious blood.

Peter and John boldly declared that salvation is found in Jesus alone, even when threatened to stay silent. Their courage came from conviction, not pride. The early church shows us that standing firm means holding to truth with boldness and grace—refusing to compromise the gospel no matter the pressure.