Bible League: Living His Word "We must obey God, not you!"— Acts 5:29 ERV In Acts 5, jealousy drives the high priest and the Sadducees to seize the apostles and throw them in jail. The impact of the apostles' preaching drives them mad. They think they've gotten rid of Jesus and His teachings, but the opposite is true. During the night, an angel of the Lord releases the apostles from their cells and orders them to continue telling people the Good News. They must preach not just in the streets, but in the temple area, the territory of the Jewish council! God and His message are unstoppable forces. The apostles obey the angel's command and preach, much to the bewilderment of the high priest. Again, he orders their arrest, and when they stand in his court, he shouts to them, "We told you never again to teach as followers of that man!" Note the utter aversion with which he refers to Jesus as "that man." Peter responds with the words of today's verse. "We must obey God, not you!" Subsequently, Peter accuses the high priest and his council of killing Jesus but turns the accusation into an explanation of how God planned to save His people. "God did this to give all the people of Israel the opportunity to change and turn to God to have their sins forgiven" (verse 31). There's good news even in that accusation! Peter's boldness is remarkable. The high priest thinks he is in charge of religious matters in and around the temple area, but Peter stands on an authority that greatly surpassed that of the Jewish leader. In verse 32, he explains that the Holy Spirit is the force behind his frank speech. The strength of the Spirit isn't confined to the apostles' acts, Peter adds, "God has given His Spirit to all those who obey Him." It's remarkable how obedience is the core of these few verses. Peter mentions it twice, in verses 29 and 32. Apparently, obedience is vital. If we obey God's Word and follow His commandments in every aspect of our lives, the Holy Spirit will be with us and give us the words and the courage to speak. Just as Jesus promised in Luke 12:11-12, "When men bring you into the synagogues before the leaders and other important men, don't worry about what you will say. The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." Persecuted Christians know what this means. They experience daily the cost of obeying God and not worldly authorities. Like the apostles, they are questioned, arrested, thrown in jail, or even killed. When I hear the testimonies of these bold witnesses, I wonder how I would act in such a situation. Looking at myself, I'd most probably fail. However, when I prayerfully consider today's verse, I take heart and trust God to strengthen me with His Spirit at the right time. In Christ, I stand on an Authority that nullifies all earthly powers. I'll carry on in faith, obeying Jesus' commandment of love. To Him be all the glory! By Anton de Vreugd, Bible League International staff, the Netherlands Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingProverbs 1, 2 Proverbs 1 -- The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Proverbs 2 -- Receive my words, and store up my commandments within you; NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Corinthians 12 1 Corinthians 12 -- Spiritual Gifts; One Body Made Up of Many Parts NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.Insight Recognizing the other believers as brothers and sisters in the family of God, the Christians in Jerusalem shared all they had so that all could benefit from God's gifts. Challenge It is tempting—especially if we have material wealth—to cut ourselves off from one another, each taking care of his or her own interests, each providing for and enjoying his or her own little piece of the world. But as part of God's spiritual family, it is our responsibility to help one another in every way possible. God's family works best when its members work together. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon John 4:48 Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.A craving after marvels was a symptom of the sickly state of men's minds in our Lord's day; they refused solid nourishment, and pined after mere wonder. The gospel which they so greatly needed they would not have; the miracles which Jesus did not always choose to give they eagerly demanded. Many nowadays must see signs and wonders, or they will not believe. Some have said in their heart, "I must feel deep horror of soul, or I never will believe in Jesus." But what if you never should feel it, as probably you never may? Will you go to hell out of spite against God, because he will not treat you like another? One has said to himself, "If I had a dream, or if I could feel a sudden shock of I know not what, then I would believe." Thus you undeserving mortals dream that my Lord is to be dictated to by you! You are beggars at his gate, asking for mercy, and you must needs draw up rules and regulations as to how he shall give that mercy. Think you that he will submit to this? My Master is of a generous spirit, but he has a right royal heart, he spurns all dictation, and maintains his sovereignty of action. Why, dear reader, if such be your case, do you crave for signs and wonders? Is not the gospel its own sign and wonder? Is not this a miracle of miracles, that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish"? Surely that precious word, "Whosoever will, let him come and take the water of life freely" and that solemn promise, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out," are better than signs and wonders! A truthful Saviour ought to be believed. He is truth itself. Why will you ask proof of the veracity of One who cannot lie? The devils themselves declared him to be the Son of God; will you mistrust him? Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.Isaiah 57:20,21 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, For it cannot be quiet, And its waters toss up refuse and mud. • "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked." Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Hebrews 4:10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited. Ephesians 4:14,15 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; • but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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