In Acts 5:17-42 there are several attempts to stop the message about Jesus Christ from continuing to spread.

In the first place there is the imprisonment of the apostles. Taken as they were teaching in the temple court, they are put in prison only to be rescued by an angel to continue their preaching and teaching in the morning.

The second attempt is seen in the intimidation and questions from the high priest. Standing trial before him, the apostles face up to the whole Sanhedrin. They are verbally reprimanded for their refusal to listen to the prohibition on preaching and teaching. Expecting them to be cowed by fear, the apostles respond with another bold declaration that they will continue to obey God rather than men. Even as they see the Jewish council members become angry, even as they hear the threats to kill them, they do not move from their convictions and desire to be Christ’s witnesses.

The final attempt is found in the flogging and the repeat of the initial prohibition. Though we do not know how severely the apostles were flogged, we can be sure that it was a very painful experience—one that reminded them of the Sanhedrin’s power and authority. This experience made it very clear that more pain would come if there was further disobedience. Despite this, the apostles continue teaching and preaching, in the temple courts and from house to house.

Attempts to stop the work of God are not limited to the time of the apostles. Throughout the history of God’s church we find people, again and again, setting themselves up against the Lord and his anointed King (see Psalm 2:1–12). It began in the garden of Eden with Satan’s temptation of Eve. It was seen in the time of Egypt where the Israelites were enslaved. And it was seen in the invasion of Canaan where the kings of the north united against Joshua (Joshua 10:1–43). After the return from exile, when the Jerusalem temple was to be rebuilt, once again there was opposition (Ezra 4:1–24). The world is set against God and his plans. People want to be kings of their own lives; we do not (naturally) want to submit to God. As a result, the natural man will always oppose God (see Romans 1:1–32).

In our day and age the church of Jesus Christ continues to face opposition and persecution. In some parts of the world it is severe; Christian believers are not only imprisoned but they can be killed. Open Doors produces an annual World Watch List in which they rank the top fifty countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian. Until the return of Jesus Christ in glory, persecution will not end. We should expect some form of opposition to the Christian faith wherever we might live and work (2 Timothy 3:12).