Acts 5:42
Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Every day
The phrase "Every day" emphasizes the continuous and unwavering commitment of the apostles to their mission. In the Greek, "καθ' ἡμέραν" (kath' hēmeran) suggests a daily, habitual action. This reflects the early church's dedication to spreading the Gospel, undeterred by persecution or opposition. It serves as a model for modern believers, encouraging a consistent and persistent faith practice.

in the temple courts
The "temple courts" were central to Jewish religious life, a place of worship, teaching, and community gathering. The Greek term "ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ" (en tō hierō) indicates the physical location within the temple complex. The apostles' presence here signifies their boldness and commitment to reaching both Jews and Gentiles in a familiar and significant setting, highlighting the continuity of the Christian message with Jewish tradition.

and from house to house
The phrase "from house to house" (Greek: "κατ' οἶκον," kat' oikon) illustrates the personal and communal aspect of early Christian evangelism. This approach allowed for intimate fellowship and discipleship, fostering a strong sense of community. It underscores the importance of personal relationships in spreading the Gospel, a principle that remains vital in contemporary ministry.

they did not stop
The determination of the apostles is captured in "they did not stop" (Greek: "οὐκ ἐπαύοντο," ouk epaunonto). Despite facing severe persecution, they remained steadfast. This phrase inspires believers to persevere in their faith and witness, regardless of external pressures or challenges, trusting in God's provision and strength.

teaching and proclaiming
"Teaching and proclaiming" (Greek: "διδάσκοντες καὶ εὐαγγελιζόμενοι," didaskontes kai euangelizomenoi) highlights the dual aspects of the apostles' ministry. "Teaching" involves instructing believers in the doctrines of the faith, while "proclaiming" refers to the public declaration of the Gospel. This combination is essential for both edifying the church and reaching the lost, emphasizing the need for sound doctrine and evangelistic zeal.

the good news
The "good news" (Greek: "τὸ εὐαγγέλιον," to euangelion) is the core message of Christianity, centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a message of hope, redemption, and salvation, offered to all who believe. This term reminds believers of the transformative power of the Gospel and their responsibility to share it with others.

that Jesus is the Christ
The declaration "that Jesus is the Christ" (Greek: "ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστός," hoti Iēsous estin ho Christos) affirms Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed one promised in the Hebrew Scriptures. This proclamation is foundational to Christian faith, asserting Jesus' divine identity and mission. It calls believers to recognize and submit to Jesus' lordship, living in accordance with His teachings and example.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Apostles
The primary figures in this passage, the apostles were the early followers of Jesus who were tasked with spreading His teachings. They were committed to their mission despite facing persecution.

2. Temple Courts
A central place of worship and gathering in Jerusalem, the temple courts were significant for Jewish religious life. The apostles used this public space to reach a wide audience.

3. House to House
This phrase indicates the apostles' dedication to personal and intimate evangelism. They took the message of Jesus into private homes, emphasizing the personal nature of the Gospel.

4. Teaching and Proclaiming
These actions highlight the dual approach of the apostles. "Teaching" involves explaining and instructing in the faith, while "proclaiming" refers to announcing the good news of Jesus as the Messiah.

5. Jesus as the Christ
The central message of the apostles' teaching was that Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed one promised in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Teaching Points
Consistency in Witnessing
The apostles' daily commitment to teaching and proclaiming the Gospel serves as a model for believers to consistently share their faith, regardless of circumstances.

Public and Private Evangelism
The dual approach of using both public spaces and private homes for evangelism highlights the importance of being versatile and adaptable in sharing the Gospel.

Centrality of Christ
The focus on Jesus as the Christ underscores the necessity of keeping the message of Jesus central in all teaching and evangelism efforts.

Perseverance Amidst Opposition
Despite facing persecution, the apostles did not cease their mission. This teaches believers the importance of perseverance and courage in the face of challenges.

Community and Fellowship
The practice of meeting from house to house emphasizes the role of community and fellowship in the life of the church, encouraging believers to foster close-knit relationships.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the apostles' example in Acts 5:42 challenge our current approach to evangelism in both public and private settings?

2. In what ways can we incorporate the practice of teaching and proclaiming "house to house" in our modern context?

3. How does the apostles' unwavering commitment to their mission inspire us to remain steadfast in our faith despite opposition?

4. What are some practical ways we can ensure that the message of Jesus as the Christ remains central in our personal and communal faith practices?

5. How can we foster a sense of community and fellowship similar to the early church in our own church or small group settings?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 28:19-20
The Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands. This passage connects to Acts 5:42 as it shows the apostles fulfilling this command.

Acts 2:46-47
Describes the early church's practice of meeting in the temple courts and breaking bread in homes, similar to the activities in Acts 5:42, demonstrating the continuity of their mission.

2 Timothy 4:2
Paul’s exhortation to preach the word in season and out of season, which aligns with the apostles' relentless teaching and proclaiming in Acts 5:42.
A Model Christian MinistryW. Jones.Acts 5:42
Apostolic MinistrationJ. Sherman.Acts 5:42
Daily Apostolic LaboursR. Tuck, B. A.Acts 5:42
Ministerial Fidelity and DevotednessHenry Abney, B. A.Acts 5:42
Preaching ChristC. H. Spurgeon.Acts 5:42
Preaching ChristT. J. Judkin.Acts 5:42
Teaching and PreachingW. L. Alexander, D. D.Acts 5:42
The First Sermon in the TabernacleCharles Haddon Spurgeon Acts 5:42
The Right Kind of PreachingActs 5:42
Second Persecution of the ChurchR.A. Redford Acts 5:17-42
Cut to the HeartDean Plumptre.Acts 5:33-42
Four CharactersDean Vaughan.Acts 5:33-42
GamalielBp. Phillips Brooks.Acts 5:33-42
Gamaliel's CounselK. Gerok.Acts 5:33-42
Gamaliel's CounselK. Gerok.Acts 5:33-42
Our Attitude Towards GodW. Clarkson Acts 5:33-42
Preaching to the HeartR. Bruce, D. D.Acts 5:33-42
The Advice of the CautiousR. Tuck Acts 5:33-42
The Speech of Gamaliel At the SanhedrinD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 5:33-42
The Victory of the TruthStarke.Acts 5:33-42
Power and WeaknessE. Johnson Acts 5:34-42
The True Witnessing SpiritR.A. Redford Acts 5:41, 42
People
Ananias, Gamaliel, Israelites, Judas, Peter, Sapphira, Solomon, Theudas
Places
Jerusalem, Solomon's Portico
Topics
Announcing, Cease, Ceased, Ceasing, Christ, Courts, Daily, Desist, Glad, Home, Houses, Kept, News, Preach, Preaching, Private, Privately, Proclaiming, Stopped, Teach, Teaching, Telling, Temple, Tidings
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 5:42

     2206   Jesus, the Christ
     2369   Christ, responses to
     2427   gospel, transmission
     5335   herald
     5340   house
     7026   church, leadership
     7708   apostles, function
     7725   evangelists, identity
     7726   evangelists, ministry
     7741   missionaries, task
     7756   preaching, content
     7793   teachers
     7797   teaching
     8225   devotion
     8235   doctrine, nature of
     8425   evangelism, nature of
     8497   witnessing, approaches
     8654   importunity, to people

Acts 5:40-42

     4127   Satan, defeat of

Acts 5:41-42

     6233   rejection, experience

Library
December 28. "The Holy Ghost, whom God Hath Given to them that Obey Him" (Acts v. 32).
"The Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him" (Acts v. 32). We can only know and prove the fulness of the Spirit as we step out into the larger purposes and plans of Christ for the world. Perhaps the chief reason why the Holy Spirit has been so limited in His work in the hearts of Christians, is the shameful neglect of the unsaved and unevangelized world by the great majority of the professed followers of Christ. There are millions of professing Christians--and, perhaps, real Christians--in
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Our Captain
'Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince.' --ACTS v. 31. The word rendered 'Prince' is a rather infrequent designation of our Lord in Scripture. It is only employed in all four times--twice in Peter's earlier sermons recorded in this Book of the Acts; and twice in the Epistle to the Hebrews. In a former discourse of the Apostle's he had spoken of the crime of the Jews in killing 'the Prince of life.' Here he uses the word without any appended epithet. In the Epistle to the Hebrews
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Whom to Obey, --Annas or Angel?
'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, 18. And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20. Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Gamaliel's Counsel
'Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.'--ACTS v. 38, 39. The little that is known of Gamaliel seems to indicate just such a man as would be likely to have given the advice in the text. His was a character which, on its good side and by its admirers, would be described as prudent, wise, cautious and calm, tolerant, opposed to fanaticism
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Indwelling of the Spirit, the Common Privilege of all Believers
John 7:37-39 -- "In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive." Nothing has rendered the cross of Christ of less effect; nothing has been a greater stumbling-block and rock of offense to weak minds, that a supposition, now current
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

On Zeal
"It is good to be always zealously affected in a good thing." Gal. 4:18. 1. There are few subjects in the whole compass of religion, that are of greater importance than this. For without zeal it is impossible, either to make any considerable progress in religion ourselves, or to do any considerable service to our neighbour, whether in temporal or spiritual things. And yet nothing has done more disservice to religion, or more mischief to mankind, than a sort of zeal which has for several ages prevailed,
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The First Sermon in the Tabernacle
This afternoon I will try to describe the subject, Christ Jesus; then, secondly, to speak for a little while upon its comprehensiveness; then to enlarge upon sundry of its excellencies; and conclude by testing its power. I. First, then, the SUBJECT. They continued both to teach and preach Jesus Christ. To preach Jesus Christ aright we must preach him in his infinite and indisputable Godhead. We may be attacked by philosophers, who will either make him no God at all, or one constituted temporarily
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

Of the Recollection of God's Manifold Benefits
Open, O Lord, my heart in Thy law, and teach me to walk in the way of Thy commandments. Grant me to understand Thy will and to be mindful of Thy benefits, both general and special, with great reverence and diligent meditation, that thus I may be able worthily to give Thee thanks. Yet I know and confess that I cannot render Thee due praises for the least of Thy mercies. I am less than the least of all the good things which Thou gavest me; and when I consider Thy majesty, my spirit faileth because
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Reader Reminded How Much He Needs the Assistance of the Spirit of God to Form Him to the Temper Described Above, and what Encouragement He
1. Forward resolutions may prove ineffectual.--2. Yet religion is not to be given up in despair, but Divine grace to be sought.--3. A general view of its reality and necessity, from reason.--4. And Scripture.--5. The spirit to be sought as the spirit of Christ.--6. And in that view the great strength of the soul.--7. The encouragement there is to hope for the communication of it.--8. A concluding exhortation to pray for it. And an humble address to God pursuant to that exhortation. I HAVE now laid
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

May one Lose the Blessing?
The question trembles from many a lip--If I get the blessing, may I lose it? Most certainly. But, glory be to God! He has made ample provision for failure. There is no reason why we should fail; God has made ample provision against failure; we must not expect to fail; but in case we do fail, provision has been made. The most prolific cause of loss is disobedience--disobedience either to one of God's written commands, or to the inward promptings of His Holy Spirit. "The Holy Ghost whom God hath
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

Whether Fraud Pertains to Craftiness?
Objection 1: It would seem that fraud does not pertain to craftiness. For a man does not deserve praise if he allows himself to be deceived, which is the object of craftiness; and yet a man deserves praise for allowing himself to be defrauded, according to 1 Cor. 6:1, "Why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" Therefore fraud does not belong to craftiness. Objection 2: Further, fraud seems to consist in unlawfully taking or receiving external things, for it is written (Acts 5:1) that
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Whatever God Does Outside the Natural Order is Miraculous?
Objection 1: It would seem that not everything which God does outside the natural order of things, is miraculous. For the creation of the world, and of souls, and the justification of the unrighteous, are done by God outside the natural order; as not being accomplished by the action of any natural cause. Yet these things are not called miracles. Therefore not everything that God does outside the natural order is a miracle. Objection 2: Further, a miracle is "something difficult, which seldom occurs,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Subjects are Bound to Obey their Superiors in all Things?
Objection 1: It seems that subjects are bound to obey their superiors in all things. For the Apostle says (Col. 3:20): "Children, obey your parents in all things," and farther on (Col. 3:22): "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh." Therefore in like manner other subjects are bound to obey their superiors in all things. Objection 2: Further, superiors stand between God and their subjects, according to Dt. 5:5, "I was the mediator and stood between the Lord and you at that
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Shamefacedness is About a Disgraceful Action?
Objection 1: It would seem that shamefacedness is not about a disgraceful action. For the Philosopher says (Ethic. iv, 9) that "shamefacedness is fear of disgrace." Now sometimes those who do nothing wrong suffer ignominy, according to Ps. 67:8, "For thy sake I have borne reproach, shame hath covered my face." Therefore shamefacedness is not properly about a disgraceful action. Objection 2: Further, nothing apparently is disgraceful but what is sinful. Yet man is ashamed of things that are not sins,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Anyone Should be Excommunicated for Inflicting Temporal Harm?
Objection 1: It would seem that no man should be excommunicated for inflicting a temporal harm. For the punishment should not exceed the fault. But the punishment of excommunication is the privation of a spiritual good, which surpasses all temporal goods. Therefore no man should be excommunicated for temporal injuries. Objection 2: Further, we should render to no man evil for evil, according to the precept of the Apostle (Rom. 12:17). But this would be rendering evil for evil, if a man were to be
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Human Law Binds a Man in Conscience?
Objection 1: It would seem that human law does not bind man in conscience. For an inferior power has no jurisdiction in a court of higher power. But the power of man, which frames human law, is beneath the Divine power. Therefore human law cannot impose its precept in a Divine court, such as is the court of conscience. Objection 2: Further, the judgment of conscience depends chiefly on the commandments of God. But sometimes God's commandments are made void by human laws, according to Mat. 15:6: "You
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Devil is Directly the Cause of Man's Sinning?
Objection 1: It would seem that the devil is directly the cause of man's sinning. For sin consists directly in an act of the appetite. Now Augustine says (De Trin. iv, 12) that "the devil inspires his friends with evil desires"; and Bede, commenting on Acts 5:3, says that the devil "draws the mind to evil desires"; and Isidore says (De Summo Bono ii, 41; iii, 5) that the devil "fills men's hearts with secret lusts." Therefore the devil is directly the cause of sin. Objection 2: Further, Jerome says
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether it is Praiseworthy to Enter Religion Without Taking Counsel of Many, and Previously Deliberating for a Long Time?
Objection 1: It would not seem praiseworthy to enter religion without taking counsel of many, and previously deliberating for a long time. For it is written (1 Jn. 4:1): "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits if they be of God." Now sometimes a man's purpose of entering religion is not of God, since it often comes to naught through his leaving the religious life; for it is written (Acts 5:38,39): "If this counsel or this work be of God, you cannot overthrow it." Therefore it would seem that
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Precept of Fraternal Correction Demands that a Private Admonition Should Precede Denunciation?
Objection 1: It would seem that the precept of fraternal correction does not demand that a private admonition should precede denunciation. For, in works of charity, we should above all follow the example of God, according to Eph. 5:1,2: "Be ye followers of God, as most dear children, and walk in love." Now God sometimes punishes a man for a sin, without previously warning him in secret. Therefore it seems that there is no need for a private admonition to precede denunciation. Objection 2: Further,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Wheat and the Tares
'And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.' --ACTS iv. 32. 'And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.'--ACTS v. 11. Once more Luke pauses and gives a general survey of the Church's condition. It comes in appropriately at the end of the account of the triumph over the first assault of civil authority, which assault
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

That the Christian Miracles are not Recited, or Appealed To, by Early Christian Writers Themselves So Fully or Frequently as Might have Been Expected.
I shall consider this objection, first, as it applies to the letters of the apostles preserved in the New Testament; and secondly, as it applies to the remaining writings of other early Christians. The epistles of the apostles are either hortatory or argumentative. So far as they were occupied in delivering lessons of duty, rules of public order, admonitions against certain prevailing corruptions, against vice, or any particular species of it, or in fortifying and encouraging the constancy of the
William Paley—Evidences of Christianity

The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Holy Spirit Bearing Witness to Jesus Christ.
When our Lord was talking to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion of the Comforter who after His departure was to come to take His place, He said, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall bear witness of Me: and ye also bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning" (John xv. 26, 27, R. V.), and the Apostle Peter and the other disciples when they were strictly commanded
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

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