Was the Holy Spirit working on the religious leaders who were cut to the heart in Acts 5?
Yes. The Spirit was working even on these religious leaders in Israel. When they heard Peter and the eleven, they were cut to the heart, but rather than repent, they sought to slay the apostles, showing that religionists hate the truth and try to eliminate its messengers.
Les explains that in Acts 5:33, when the religious leaders heard Peter and the eleven, they were cut to the heart, and the Spirit was working even on these religious leaders in Israel. Yet, as Les teaches, religionists hate the truth and have only one way to deal with their enemies: kill them, get rid of them. So they sought to slay the apostles. Then Gamaliel, a Pharisee, a doctor of the law, and the one who taught Paul earlier, stood up and commanded that the apostles be put forth a little space, advising the council to take heed what they intended to do.
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.