The text says they were “cut to the heart.” More accurately, they were deeply pierced with conviction.
We see a similar phrase in Acts 2:37, where the people were cut to the heart after hearing Peter preach the gospel. There, the conviction led to godly sorrow and repentance.
But here in Acts 5:33, the same conviction produces a very different response—it produces hatred.
We also see this again in Acts 7:54, when Stephen preached the truth and they were cut to the heart, yet instead of repenting, they gnashed at him with their teeth.
This shows us that the Word of God is truly a double-edged sword. It divides. Some hear the truth and are broken with godly sorrow, leading to repentance and faith. Others hear the same truth and respond with anger, hatred, and rebellion.
The same sun that melts wax hardens clay.
Just as the religious leaders killed the prophets of old, and just as they crucified the Lord Jesus Christ, now they are plotting to kill the apostles. The sinful heart hates the light because the light exposes darkness.
At this moment, a Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up.
Gamaliel came from a highly respected family. His grandfather was the famous Jewish Rabbi Hillel, born around 110 BC and dying around AD 10. Hillel was one of the most influential teachers of the Torah—the first five books of the Old Testament—and became one of the greatest forces in Jewish religious life.
Gamaliel inherited that legacy. He was a Pharisee, and originally the word Pharisee was not a negative title. It meant “separated ones”—those set apart for God. They began well, desiring holiness and separation unto the Lord, but over time many became proud, self-righteous, and hypocritical.
Gamaliel, like his grandfather, was a learned scholar. In fact, the Apostle Paul himself studied under him (Acts 22:3).
Because of this, the Jewish leaders held him in great respect.
Gamaliel may not have been a true believer, but his counsel was wise. He said, in essence: if this movement is merely of men, it will fail. But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—indeed, you may even be found fighting against God.
What a powerful warning.
And we know Christianity is of God.
Therefore, all who oppose Christ are ultimately fighting against God Himself.
Often when we think of people fighting against God, we immediately think of atheists, skeptics, and outspoken enemies of Christianity.
But Satan has an older and more dangerous trick.
There are those who appear religious.
There are people who come in the name of godliness, yet they hate the Jesus of the Bible. They honor religion, but reject Christ.
Then there are those who have an outward appearance of Christianity, but by their lives they deny Him.
They love God with their
mouths.
They sing on Sundays.
They speak Christian
language.
But at home, in secret, in their daily conduct—they
hate God by the way they live.
They live in sin, not holiness.
They are called hypocrites.
They fight against God while pretending to stand for Him.
May none of us be found among them.
If you are fighting against God, eventually one of two things will happen:
You will either be bent—or broken.
What does that mean?
Either you will bend before Him in true repentance, bowing your heart before Christ…
…or you will be broken under His judgment.
On that great Day, God Almighty will crush all rebellion. Those who refuse His mercy will face His justice. His wrath is real, His judgment is certain, and hell is not a metaphor.
Sinner, why are you fighting against God?
Why cling to idols?
Why love sin more than Christ?
Why embrace the things that will destroy your soul?
Come to Jesus.
If you come to Christ, you will not fall into the wrath of God’s anger—you will fall into the hands of God’s mercy.
During the time of Napoleon Bonaparte, the great military leader of France, he found a soldier sleeping while on night watch.
Napoleon warned him, “If I find you sleeping again, you will be executed.”
A week later, the soldier was found asleep again.
Napoleon said, “Today, you will be executed.”
At that moment, the soldier’s mother came running and pleaded, “Sir, have mercy on my son!”
Napoleon replied, “He does not deserve mercy.”
The mother answered wisely:
“No one deserves mercy.”
She was absolutely right.
No one deserves mercy.
We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We have all rebelled against Him.
But God has provided mercy through Jesus Christ.
Jesus took the punishment for sin upon Himself so that all who trust in Him may be forgiven.
Come and rest upon His sacrifice.
Pray:
“Lord Jesus, I surrender. I trust in Your mercy. I fall into Your arms. Save me by Your grace.”
Do not fight against Him.
Run to Him.
Verse 40–42 shows us the apostles fighting for Christ.
They were beaten for preaching His name.
Yet they rejoiced.
They were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
And they did not stop.
Daily in the temple, and from house to house, they continued teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.
This is the Christian life.
Let us sharpen our swords—the Word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that Scripture is living and powerful.
Let us hold fast to truth.
Let us proclaim the gospel boldly against the powers of darkness.
Let us go into the mission field—our neighbors, our friends, our families, our workplaces, and the streets around us.
Let us tell men, women, and children how they can be saved.
Let us go to the highways and byways and invite sinners to Christ.
Let us contend for the faith.
Let us care for the poor.
Let us strengthen the weak.
Let us comfort the hurting.
Let us encourage one another in prayer.
Let us fight for Christ.
There was once a French king who heard of men committing cruel acts against Christians.
He said, “If I had been there with my troops, I would have cut those people to pieces!”
But my beloved, that is not the spirit of Christ.
Jesus did not come to destroy sinners, but to save them.
We do not fight for Christ with swords, guns, or violence.
We fight with truth.
We fight with holiness.
We fight with love.
We fight with prayer.
We fight by loving both friends and enemies.
We fight by living lives that reflect the gospel.
Let us not be found fighting against God.
Let us be found fighting for Him.
For in the end, there is no greater privilege than to suffer, serve, and stand for the name of Jesus Christ.