What is the meaning of Acts 5:29? But Peter and the other apostles replied • The council had strictly charged the apostles not to teach in Jesus’ name (Acts 5:27-28), yet Peter speaks for the entire group, showing united conviction just as in Acts 4:19-20. • Their response springs from being “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:31), granting courage that mirrors Jesus’ promise in Luke 12:11-12. • The scene echoes earlier moments when God’s servants respectfully addressed earthly powers while standing firm for truth, such as Joseph before Pharaoh (Genesis 41:16) and Moses before Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1). We must obey God • “We must” signals a non-negotiable duty. The apostles recognize God as supreme Lawgiver, consistent with Deuteronomy 6:5 and John 14:15. • Obedience to God had just been demonstrated: an angel of the Lord freed them from prison and told them to preach (Acts 5:19-20). Ignoring that command would constitute direct rebellion against the very One who saved them. • Throughout Scripture, faithful obedience precedes divine power—see 1 Samuel 15:22; Hebrews 11:8; Matthew 28:19-20. rather than men. • Scripture affirms submission to governing authorities (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13), yet places God’s will at the highest level when commands collide. • Biblical examples of godly civil disobedience: – The Hebrew midwives spared infant boys despite Pharaoh’s edict (Exodus 1:17). – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the image (Daniel 3:16-18). – Daniel continued praying even when forbidden (Daniel 6:10). • The apostles choose potential punishment over silence, aligning with Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:32 and the prophetic call in Isaiah 51:7-8 to fear God more than human hostility. • Their stance foreshadows later Christian endurance under persecution (Revelation 2:10) and offers a pattern for believers facing conflicting directives today. summary Acts 5:29 declares, “We must obey God rather than men.” The verse records the apostles’ unified, Spirit-empowered answer to human authorities. They affirm that divine commands outrank human edicts, echoing a consistent biblical theme. While honoring rightful authority, believers ultimately answer to the Lord, choosing unwavering obedience to His revealed will even when it brings earthly opposition. |
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