Obey God or Obey Men? Acts 5:17-42

Introduction

Good morning church and thank you for being here to join us in worship. Today we are getting back into the swing of the book of Acts on one of everyone’s favorite subjects: When its okay to defy the government and ruling authorities!

As we get into the word this morning I want to have Amanda come and read our passage for us and pray for the service.

Truth

Acts 5:27–29 ESV

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Prayer

Tension

We have talked about this subject a little in chapter 4:23-31 when they were told the first time to stop this. But as you can see they are back at it again. Only difference is that this time they are imprisoned for doing this unlawful preaching whereas last time they were only threatened.

But this ruffles our American feathers a little bit doesn’t it.

You hear stories like this and a part of us feels a little this way doesn’t it?

Get the muskets and dump the tea, we’re gonna go fix some stuff.

But things like this don’t happen today right?

In the summer of 2022, Seattle police arrested Pastor Matthew Meinecke for sharing the Gospel at two public events.

The conflict came about because Pastor Meinecke went to a Seattle pro-abortion rally to read the Bible aloud, hold up a sign and hand out literature. He was censored and arrested on two separate occasions for simply reading the Bible to others because his Gospel-oriented message triggered hostile reactions from activists.

Despite his evangelistic and peaceful intent, some individuals in the crowd, including Antifa members, did not receive the message well. They took Meinecke’s Bible away from him, ripped out pages, knocked Meinecke down and took one of his shoes. When Seattle police finally arrived at the scene, they did not offer any aid to Meinecke. Instead, they ordered Meinecke to leave and go to a space where he could no longer convey his message, and then arrested him when he declined to do so.

Two days later, Meinecke encountered a similar situation at the Seattle Center, a public park where the Seattle PrideFest was taking place. Hecklers mistreated Meinecke again, and Seattle police officers silenced Meinecke again. The officers then arrested Meinecke for refusing to depart from his intended audience.

In April, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Pastor Meinecke, concluding that the city’s policy amounts to an unconstitutional heckler’s veto and remanded the case with instructions for the district court to enter a preliminary injunction for Meinecke.

How about Clive Johnston, A baptist Pastor in Northern Ireland who was jailed for preaching an open air service with 12 church members where the topic was John 3:16 and some singing of hymns. No literature was handed out, no placards or signs, nor any mention of abortion at all, yet the service took place too closely to a hospital that provided those services. It was decided that this violated a “buffer zone regulation” that makes protests illegal against abortive services. https://www.christianpost.com/news/pastor-arrested-in-northern-ireland-for-preaching-sermon-outdoors.html

So, with things like this happening in our day this is not far off ideas that could or would never happen, but things for us to think about today as we decide how we need to react in these situations. So, lets start this morning by really understanding this passage and then seeing what wisdom we can glean from it.

Exposition

Acts 5:17–42 ESV

17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.

We start by seeing the real fuel going on in these guy’s hearts. The Saducees were tired of the people running after these apostles. They tried to use their authority to tamp them down but to no avail. So now they arrested them and put them in the public prison.

Acts 5:17–42 ESV

19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”

I find this awesome. Last time they were allowed to stay the night in the prison but this time an angle bust them out that very night. And busting out isn’t the right word either. God just opens the doors and brought them out. My favorite part is that they aren’t told to get out of town or lay low for a while, Nope. They are told to go right back to the temple right out in the open and preach to the people the message they were told to shut up about.

Acts 5:17–42 ESV

21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”

this almost reads as a comedy sketch. Like something you’d see Abbott and Costello do.

“where are they I just left them right there.”

Well it appears that the doors are still locked and the guards were still where they were supposed to be.

And?

Well we opened it up and they were not there.

What do you mean not there?

Well they weren’t there.

I know what not there means, but who let them out?

Well, that’s just it, the guards didn’t and we don’t know how else they could have gotten out.

All of them?

Yeah all of them?

Where are they now?

Well we can’t find them.

*in comes jeff from the temple courtyard

“Hey guys, I think I know where they are”

Shut up jeff, you never know anything.

“Well all of them out front preaching to the people in the courtyard in the Portico.

Acts 5:17–42 ESV

26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

So they are brought in but gingerly because they firmly know now that these men are very popular. Again they appeal to their authority and position among the people. They are as in charge as you can be. You need to respect our position and stop using your voices to tell people about Jesus, especially that we had him killed!”

And I love Peter and the apostles response. It’s perfect.

Acts 5:17–42 ESV

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

“We’ve told you to stop preaching about Jesus, especially telling the people we had him killed!”

Peter responds,

“Well, you did, we saw it and so did they.”

And then to add insult to their pride and authority, they double down and explain why Jesus is worthy of preaching about. He’s been exalted to the right hand of God as leader and savior. He’s offering out forgiveness of sins to Israel if they repent.

The Holy Spirit is right there with us. He is the one who has authorized us to preach and teach about Jesus, so If we have to go with his authority or yours, we are gonna choose his.

Well that goes over about as well as you’d think...

Acts 5:17–42 ESV

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while.

They become indignant being called out like this. Their jealousy and frustration explode into a fury with the word used literally meaning “sawn through.” And friends this is where it gets interesting. Out of the entire ruling group of Sadducees we see one man who stands up to try and speak some sense.

A man named Gamaliel steps up to speak. The apostles are kicked out so they can go into executive session. We know that he was a teacher of the law but that he was esteemed highly among the populace. He councils a “wait-and-see policy in which they will take a hands off approach.

Acts 5:17–42 ESV

35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Gamaliel cites two recent attempts of locals to stir up the people and do a similar thing to what Jesus and his followers are doing. The first is a man named Theudas. We don’t fully know what Theudas did but its likely that he claimed himself a prophet or a Messianic pretender of some kind. His followers grew and then when he died they all fell away.

Secondly, Judas the Galilean. We do know about him from the historian Josephus. He is the founder of the Zealot movement who exemplified a credo of obeying God rather than men. Josephus writes, “They have a passion for liberty that is almost unconquerable, since they are convinced that God alone is their leader and master.” (Jewish Antiquities 18.23).

Gamaliel’s point is clear, “Christianity will soon go the way of all the other fakes and frauds and in time, with the death of their leader, they too will lose steam.” That is “kind of.” Baked into his proposition is vs 39 and a point that the rest of ruling council won’t even consider. Two options for these happenings are given. One is of human causation and the other of God’s divine will. The Sadducees will only consider humanity but Gamaliel is uncertain. “This might be of God and if we fight Him, nothing we could do would stop it.”

They like this but for good measure they decide to beat them and send them on their way. Which completely has the intended affect and the church disappeared because of this...

Nope… instead

Acts 5:17–42 ESV

41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Not only did they not stop meeting in the temple under the noses of the men who had them beaten, they took the show on the road going door to door.

This story brings some things into view for us as the church today. As we stated previously, while we don’t live in a theocratic government structure we do find ourselves sometimes bumping up against the government as Christians. Sometimes the government does things that benefit us and other times it does things that makes our lives harder and more of a struggle. Sometimes that become outright persecution and prosecution and you should not ever believe that it could never happen here.

Gamaleil’s argument of pragmatics.

First, I want to start by taking Gamaliel to task for a moment.

While he makes some sense in one regard he also has planted himself very diplomatically on the fence in this situation. If its human it will fail, if it’s God it will succeed.

With all respect to that reasoning it takes a short term perspective on something we can’t fully judge. We have all seen short term evils or wrongs succeed only to disapear years later. We have seen some goods get defeated early on only to come back years later into resurgence. Even by Gamaliel’s own standards Christianity would likely have been deemed a failure because of the constant state persecution at the hands of Nero and the Romans. Yet years later Christianity would become the official Roman religion.

Does that mean that it was a success or failure? What does it mean knowing that Rome eventually fell as as state? What does it mean when we see evils perpetrated by those who claim Christ or Good that happens outside of the church?

You can see how such reasoning might pass a pragmatic test but fail in the long run. While ultimately his reasoning is presented in light of God’s sovereignty and that His will cannot be overthrown, the sample size is just too small.

Remember, that as Christians and followers of Christ our justification is not found in whether or not our evangelistic efforts are successful or powerful or popular. They are justified on the day that Christ cracks open the sky and makes all things new. If that happens in 10 years of 10,000 the ending will be the same. God’s glory will be displayed, His kingdom will be vindicated and fulfilled, and his church bride will take place in the marriage feast.

Christians and the Government.

In a time where we have all gotten pretty used to seeing many people getting ready for this....

We need to reread Romans 13.

Romans 13:1–7 ESV

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

A couple of things to note off the bat then some questions.

First, Roman’s 13 is clear in upholding the ought of submission to the good authorities and the sovereignty of God. I know what you’re thinking and we will get to it.

Secondly, resisting good authority is resisting God and His will. I know what you’re thinking and we will get to it.

Third, good rulers respect and uphold and desire good conduct from people and expect it. They don’t stand in the way of it. And i know what you’re thinking and we will get to it.

Fourth, Governing authorities have a mandate to punish wickedness and carry out justice on the criminals. Again, we will get to it.

And fifth, and this hurts so bad to say out loud, Pay your taxes and respect those in power, and honor those whom God has given us to lead us.

So lastly, What about when the governing authorities aren’t good, aren’t honoring God’s will, are condoning bad conduct and punishing good behavior, and not punishing evil? Do we still have to listen or at the very least can we cheat on our taxes just a little bit to cover all the ways they waste our money?

First off you’re probably never gonna get off the taxes train friends. When it comes to taxes vote for what you want and deal with what comes. I will however say that paying taxes in no way alleviates your responsibilities to your family, your community, the needy, or the disenfranchised in our world. Welfare and entitlement programs don’t have the same mandates for the same reasons that you do so make sure that you are giving, serving, helping, and volunteering in ways that honor God and push forward his kingdom.

But getting to the meat and potatoes it is obvious that the apostles broke the rules of the people who had authority over them. they were told to shut up and instead they spoke louder. But lets look at their disobedience for a moment and try to learn from it.

They decided ahead of time that serving God was the only real option there consciences would allow.

They saw the risen Christ with their own eyes. The Holy Spirit convinced them and validated the message they were told to preach with miracles and wonderous signs too large to ignore. They said it well, “We must obey God.” they were compelled by the Spirit to testify to what they’d seen and tell the people of the gift and power of Christ for them. Friends we need to get our minds straight right now about who we follow and who it is that holds the authority in our lives. If you are in Christ He is not Savior if He is not also Lord. If He has not been made master in your heart and Lord in your life, no wonder it would be so tempting and easy to bow down to authority or popularity that demands you choose them over Him. In the words of Joshua 24:15 “15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.””

They still obeyed in their disobedience.

they were called to come before the ruling council and they went. Peter even left the sword at home this time because that didn’t work out when he tried it in front of Jesus. The point being that they still showed up and they didn’t rally the people to try and stage a coup. They fought for Jesus but they did it in a way that honored him and even when being confronted they used their time for defence to share the hope that Jesus’ taught with those seeking them harm. I can’t think of this without thinking of the difference between other leaders of the civil rights movement and Dr. King’s approach.

King’s notion of nonviolence had six key principles.

First, one can resist evil without resorting to violence.

Second, nonviolence seeks to win the “friendship and understanding” of the opponent, not to humiliate him (King, Stride, 84).

Third, evil itself, not the people committing evil acts, should be opposed.

Fourth, those committed to nonviolence must be willing to suffer without retaliation as suffering itself can be redemptive.

Fifth, nonviolent resistance avoids “external physical violence” and “internal violence of spirit” as well: “The nonviolent resister not only refuses to shoot his opponent but he also refuses to hate him” (King, Stride, 85). The resister should be motivated by love in the sense of the Greek word agape, which means “understanding,” or “redeeming good will for all men” (King, Stride, 86).

The sixth principle is that the nonviolent resister must have a “deep faith in the future,” stemming from the conviction that “The universe is on the side of justice” (King, Stride, 88).https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/nonviolence

Friends, hearing that list could you not ascribe each of those 6 to how Jesus showed us to endure suffering while honoring God?

they were upfront and honest.

They didn’t lie or try to cover up what was happening. They just came out and said it. I will caviot this however. I first came to the struggle of the impossible choice in ethics class and higher order goods. Meaning, if the SS come to your door and ask if you are hiding Jews what do you do? To give them up would be wrong but to lie is also wrong. The idea is that when you can’t do both, pick the one that honors God the most. I will tell you, bearing false witness is a sin but I would go to my grave knowing gratefully that Christ bore all my sin on the cross and the God who knows my heart will judge me by His grace and mercy and kindness.

They honored Christ even if it cost them.

think about the difference in attitude between the apostles and many of us today on the receiving end of persecution and difficulties.

Acts 5:17–42 ESV

41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

Landing

Friends, suffering for Christ and for His kingdom is an honor and a privilege. Granted it doesn’t feel that way all the time or at the time. That is, if you have a limited perspective. Yet, Paul helps us with an eternal one to replace our limited eyes:

Romans 8:18 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.