OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN

Acts 5:29-32 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted, with His right hand, to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.

Preceding verses tell us that governmental officers had been dispatched to the prison by the Sanhedrin to bring the apostles John before their council. They had been arrested and placed in prison overnight for defying the order of these Jewish officials to cease teaching in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. However, having been freed from prison by an angel of the Lord, these apostles of Christ returned to the temple and resumed preaching the gospel message of salvation through Christ to all men and women assembled in this place. When told what had happened, their second arrest was inevitable. Again, officers and their captain were sent by the Sanhedrin to arrest them. Verse 28 tells us that because of their popularity, the arrest was made without violence for fear of riotous behavior by the multitudes to whom they had been preaching. When assembled, the high priest brought the accusation of the entire council's consensus against them with this questioning statement: Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name, and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's (Jesus Christ's) blood upon us.

This is exactly what their Lord, Jesus Christ, told the apostles would happen. He warned them to beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles (Matt. 10:17-18). Assured this would take place, Jesus then told them how they were to react to such religious accusations and persecution. He said, But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you (See Matt. 10:19-20). Although the chief priest and all members of the Sanhedrin had commanded them not to teach and heal in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, had commanded them to go, ...and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matt. 28:19-20). This being so, and in defense of their teaching the true, the one and only doctrine of God, given to them by inspiration of the His Holy Spirit, the apostles of Christ were spiritually guided to reply with this answer: We ought to obey God rather than men.

By their actions, the chief priest and the members of the Sanhedrin refused to obey God by refusing to accept His Son, Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah, and the Savior of the world. The remainder of the lesson text tells us that the same God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree (Vs. 30). The dishonorable crown of thorns they had allowed to be placed upon His head, God removed and replaced it with an honorable crown of life. The life they took away from the Son of God, God restored and exalted, with His right hand, to be a Prince and a Savior, through Whom all Israel can find repentance ...and forgiveness of sins. And we (His apostles and messengers of God) are His witnesses of these things by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Whom God hath given to them that obey Him (Vss. 31-32). Here the apostles implied the same questioning statement previously given to their accusers: whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye (Acts 4:19). The true answer, and the answer that we must always firmly stand by, is given here in the lesson text: We ought to obey God rather than men (Vs. 29).

This scripture should cause each of us to give serious consideration to the church we attend and to the religious doctrine, which they teach and follow. We must ask: Is it of God or of mankind? Certainly we all must guard against the false teaching of men and women of the world. Jesus assured His disciples, as well as you and I today, that there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect (Matt. 24:24). He also gave us this warning: Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many (Matt. 24:4-5). The apostle Peter, condemned by the Sanhedrin for teaching the will of God, assures us that there will be false prophets and teachers who shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of (2 Pet. 2:1-2).

The question overlooked by the Jewish leaders is the same question you and I should ask of ourselves. The religious doctrine, which we accept, is it of God or of mankind? The wisdom of God, found in His Holy Spirit-inspired New Testament, whose pattern we should be following, has it been compromised by the "wisdom of men?" Has the word of God been added to, subtracted from, or altered in any way by the religious creeds, councils, and conventions of men? The world is filled with "alternative religions." People choose whom they serve, as well as the various doctrines in which they place their faith and trust. Is our obedience found in serving God or in serving men and women of the world? Heed the Son of God, our Savior, when He said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them (Luke 21:8). Our obedience cannot be divided! We ought to obey God rather than men!