“but peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘we ought to obey god rather than...

“But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”

Acts 5:29

Even the smallest children in class – know that principle

If asked – all (including smallest children) would give right answer

Do we really appreciate all the implications of it?

“But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”

Acts 5:29

Context

• Told by the Sanhedrin not to preach any more (4:18)

• Threatened by the council (4:21)

• Arrested & imprisoned (5:17-18)

• God through an angel told them to go preach (5:19-20)

• Arrested again (5:26)

• Put on trial (5:27-28)

• Beaten (5:40)

Ought To Obey God Rather Than

MenACTS 5:29

Ought To Obey God Rather Than

MenI. Different Standards – Not the

Same

I. Different Standards – Not the

SameA. God wants us to obey him1. Exo. 19:5 – if obey will be special treasure2. 1 Sam. 15:22 – to obey is better than sacrifice3. Heb. 5:8-9 – eternal life to all who obey

B. Two different standards1. Isa. 55:8-9 – God’s ways are higher2. 1 Cor. 1:25 – foolishness of God is wiser than man

C. Often they are just opposite1. Evidence in our text: Acts 5:292. Rom. 3:4 – God be true – every man a liar

Ought To Obey God Rather Than

MenI. Different Standards – Not the

Same

II.Serious Consequences

II.Serious Consequences

A. If disobey man – choose to obey God:1. Beaten (Acts 5:40)2. Death (Rev. 2:10)3. John beheaded (Mark 6:27)4. Stephen stoned (Acts 7:59)5. James was killed (Acts 12:2)6. Plundering of goods (Heb. 10:34)

B. If disobey God – choose to obey man:1. 2 Thess. 1:7-9 – wrath of God2. Rom. 2:8 – lose our soul

Ought To Obey God Rather Than

MenI. Different Standards – Not the

Same

II.Serious Consequences

III. Men We Must Obey

III. Men We Must Obey

A. Parents (Eph. 6:1; Col. 3:20; 2 Tim. 3:2)

B. Husband (1 Pet. 3:1-6; Eph. 5:22; Tit. 2:5)

C. Employer (Tit. 2:9; Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:23)

D. Civil Government (Rom. 13:1-7; Tit. 3:1)

E. Elders (Heb. 13:7, 17)

Ought To Obey God Rather Than

MenI. Different Standards – Not the

Same

II.Serious Consequences

III. Men We Must Obey

IV. Easy to Yield to Pressure of Men

IV. Easy to Yield to Pressure of Men

A. Man can put pressure on us1. By the power they have (i.e. Acts 5:27-29)2. By the authority they have over us (i.e. parents, husband)3. By they things they control (i.e. our job)4. By what they can do to us (i.e. arrest us, jail, taken children

away)

B. Easy to feel that pressure – tempted to yield1. 1 Sam. 15:1, 24 – fear the people2. Dan. 3:17-18 - Takes real courage to stand up to man!3. Acts 5:29 – took courage to talk so to Sanhedrin!

Ought To Obey God Rather Than

MenI. Different Standards – Not the

Same

II.Serious Consequences

III. Men We Must Obey

IV. Easy to Yield to Pressure of Men

V. Situations Where Need To Apply It

V. Situations Where Need To Apply It

A. Civil law forbids teaching / conversion (Mark 16:15-16)

B. Civil law forbids spanking (Prov. 22:15)

C. When parents / children advise wrong (Heb. 10:25)

D. When elders direct / forbid contrary to word (cf 1 Cor 11:1)

E. Friends pressure you to disobey parents or God (Prov.

1:10-15)

F. Employer requires you to do wrong (Eph. 6:5-8)

Ought To Obey God Rather Than

MenI. Different Standards – Not the

Same

II.Serious Consequences

III. Men We Must Obey

IV. Easy to Yield to Pressure of Men

V. Situations Where Need To Apply It