Obeying God Rather than Men - Acts 5:29

The physician Luke wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted them and asked, “Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter and the other apostles answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men” where we read:

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

The verse begins, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, ...” Luke began with the words, “then Peter” which means “at that time Peter whose name means a little rock or stone” “and the other apostles” or “and Jesus' other delegates, messengers and sent forth ones” “answered and said” which means “responded and began to speak and uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Luke shared how “Peter and the other apostles” began to respond to the “high priest” who questioned them about teaching in Jesus' name and blaming the religious leaders for His death.

The verse goes on to say, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Luke continued with the words, “we ought to obey God” which means “we apostles have a duty and need to hearken and conform to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “rather than men” or “to a much farther degree and more willingly, readily and sooner than people whether male or female”. Luke shared how “Peter and the apostles” told the “high priest” they needed to “conform” to the advice of “God” rather than the commandments of people.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter and the other apostles” told the “high priest” they needed to “obey God” to a greater degree than people. Although the “high priest” an the other “religious leaders” were in positions of “authority”, they were not “greater” than “God”. All authority is given by God, and no one would have positions “over” others unless He gave them rule. (See Psalms 75:6-8) God is to be “obeyed”, and when He said through Jesus that His “gospel” or “good news” of “salvation” from sins is to be declared to all people, it is to be proclaimed regardless of what men may think or do. Many people have suffered greatly for sharing the “gospel” of Jesus, and some have died, but those who have caused these things will stand before the “God of the Universe, the Ultimate Authority” and give an account for what they did with the message and messengers of Jesus Christ. Let all who read these words surrender to Jesus, share His “gospel” and speak His name regardless of the results for doing so.

Next time Luke shares how Peter and the other apostles said, “the God of our fathers raised up Jesus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".