Choosing To Obey
Opening Prayer
Lord God, may Your Word be “a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” today (Psa. 119:105).
Read Acts 5:17-32
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[17] Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. [18] They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. [19] But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. [20] “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” [21] At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin-the full assembly of the elders of Israel-and sent to the jail for the apostles. [22] But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, [23] “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” [24] On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. [25] Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” [26] At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. [27] The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. [28] “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” [29] Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! [30] The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead-whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. [31] God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. [32] We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How did the apostles react to their beating?When Peter gives his famous response that “we must obey God rather than human beings” (29, TNIV), the apostles are facing a very real choice. In v. 20 the angel who released them tells them clearly to go to the Temple and teach the people. In contrast, the Council instructs them equally clearly to stop teaching about Jesus (28). Most of us will never experience an angel releasing us from prison and telling us to go and preach. On the other hand, most of us will never be brought before a court and commanded to stop preaching the Gospel. The apostles’ choice was very clear-cut. For us, it is usually much more subtle. We are called to obey the commands we find in God’s written Word. Sometimes we will also have a sense that God is telling us to do something specific, although this is usually less dramatic than the appearance of an angel. The opposition we face is also more subtle: it may come by family and friends telling us that we are mad to make the choices we are making. However our options are presented, our response should still be that of Peter: choosing to obey God rather than humans.
Apply
In what areas is your obedience to God being challenged? Ask God for any strength, wisdom and courage needed.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I want to stand up for You even when there’s stiff opposition from people close to me.
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