Acts 5:17-42
Obeying God Rather Than Men
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17Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out
18and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out, saying,
20“Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.”
21At daybreak the apostles entered the temple courts as they had been told and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.
22But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they returned with the report:
23“We found the jail securely locked, with the guards posted at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
24When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this account, they were perplexed as to what was happening.
25Then someone came in and announced, “Look, the men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people!”
26At that point, the captain went with the officers and brought the apostles—but not by force, for fear the people would stone them.
27They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them.
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 responsible for this man’s blood.”
29But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree.
31God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
33When the Council members heard this, they were enraged, and they resolved to put the apostles to death.
34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a short time.
35“Men of Israel,” he said, “consider carefully what you are about to do to these men.
36Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.
38So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail.
39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
40At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.
41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
42Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The high priest and his associates, filled with jealousy, put the apostles in jail. During the night an angel opens the doors and sends them back to the temple courts to tell the full message of new life. At daybreak they are teaching again.
The council sends for prisoners who are no longer there. The jail is locked and guarded, but empty. When the apostles are brought from the temple, the high priest reminds them of the ban on teaching in Jesus' name.
They answer that they must obey God rather than men. God raised the Jesus whom the leaders killed and exalted Him as Prince and Savior to grant repentance and forgiveness. Even before angry opponents, the apostles speak of the grace available through Christ.
The council wants them dead. Gamaliel recalls movements that collapsed after their leaders died and advises leaving these men alone. If their work is from God, he warns, the council cannot stop it. His counsel restrains the immediate threat without proving the truth of every movement that lasts.
The apostles are flogged, warned, and released. They rejoice that they have been counted worthy to suffer disgrace for Jesus' name. Their joy is not delight in pain. They still belong to Him, and they keep teaching that Jesus is the Christ, in the temple and in homes.
Questions
1 What did the angel tell the apostles to do?
AnswerHe told them to stand in the temple and tell the people the complete message of this new life, not to hide after their arrest.
2 What did the apostles say about obedience?
AnswerThey said they must obey God rather than human authorities when the two commands directly conflicted.
3 What did the council do to them?
AnswerThe council had them flogged and ordered them not to speak in Jesus’ name, attempting to use pain and public authority to silence them.
4 How did they respond?
AnswerThey rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name, and they continued teaching and proclaiming Him every day.
What This Means for Us
The apostles are told to stop doing the very work God has commanded. Their answer helps us think clearly about obedience when loyalties conflict: God's command comes first.
It also matters what they keep saying. Their message concerns the risen Savior who gives repentance and forgiveness. Courage can become self-important if we focus only on how brave we are. The apostles keep the attention on Jesus.
Pray for Christians who face punishment for speaking of Him. Ask that they receive protection, support, and strength to remain faithful. Their suffering should move us to care, not make us expect them to face it alone.
Prayer
Lord, give us courage under pressure and humility when we are opposed. Keep our obedience truthful, peaceful, and centered on Jesus. Amen.