The church gathered in public and not just secretly in people’s homes. This aroused the jealousy of the Sadducees, who had the temple under their control.

They wanted to forbid the church to speak of Jesus in their territory. But God freed the elders from prison and sent them back to the temple (Acts 5:17-42). During the renewed interrogation, the apostles made it clear that God must be obeyed more than the people who unjustly dominate the temple.

Peter gets to the heart of the difference. He refers to the God of the forefathers, the resurrection of the dead and proclaims a universal priesthood (verses 30-32).

The Sadducees, on the other hand, proclaimed a modern, liberal faith that did not believe in a resurrection. They advocated dialogue and an arrangement with those in power. The fact that the Holy Spirit can lead all people directly and that they therefore lose their key position made them angry (verse 33).

God gives the elite another chance to come to the work of God. But they keep their distance and try to intimidate the new movement as often as possible.

The apostles are not discouraged. They even consider it an honour to suffer for the faith.

It is interesting that God allows mistreatment. Those who believe in Jesus can expect miracles, but also have to live with unanswered questions. There is rejection and approval. Suffering and blessing.