“We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
We’ve looked at four examples in Scripture of God’s people civilly disobeying governing authorities (see previous posts). Today we’ll look at one final example in Acts 5 where people of God civilly disobeyed. Any signs and wonders were done through the hands of the apostles (v. 12). The church was growing rapidly (v. 14). Many sick people and those tormented by unclean spirits were all healed (vv. 15-16). The authorities then arrested the apostles and put them in prison (vv. 17-18). An angel opened the prison doors and told them to go to the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life (vv. 19-20). When the governing authorities sent for them in the prison, they were shocked to find out they weren’t there, but were in the temple teaching the people (vv. 21-25)! The apostles were again brought before the authorities and interrogated (vv. 26-28). Peter and the other apostles answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
Peter went on to proclaim the gospel to these leaders (vv. 30-32). After some deliberation they beat the apostles and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus (vv. 33-40). The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’ name (v. 41)! Did they obey the government mandate? “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” (Acts 5:42)
What will you do if government mandates order you not to declare your biblical beliefs?