Reading for April 19th

Read Acts 5.17-32
In 5.17-42: the trial of Israel.
In verse 17: Acts uses the word sect to mean "division" or "school," including the Sadducees (see 23.1-10), the Pharisees (15.5; 26.5), and the Christians or followers of the messiah, Jesus (24.5, 14; 28.22).
Jealousy is more than petty envy, because the question of God's favor or promises is at stake in the conflicts among the "sects"  (7.9: 17.5).
In verse 19: On divinely initiated escapes from prison, see also 12.6-11; 16.26. 26-31.
In verse 20: The temple is the divinely ordained place for teaching the people (Lk 19.47; 20.1; 21.5-6, 38).
The whole message about this life is another summary of the proclamation (4.1; 5.42;13.26).
In verse 24: Their being perplexed again creates the opportunity for interpretation.
In verse 26: On the fear of the people, see 4.21.
In verse 28: To bring this man's blood on us is to hold them accountable for Jesus' death (Gen 4.10-11; see Mt 27.24-25), as peter did in 4.10-11.
In verse 29: the high priests also claim to speak with god's authority.
In verse 30: Peter again indicts the rulers by contrasting God's raising Jesus and their involvement in his death (2.23-24; 3.13-15; 4.10).
In verse 31: On Jesus as Leader, see 3.15.
His role as savior is full of scriptural and political associations since this is a title often used of rulers (see Lk 2.11; Acts 13.23; Isa 43.11).
Repentance and forgiveness of sins are both gifts grounded in God's promises (Acts 2.38; 11.18).
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