Have you had a response for every accusation? Was it a rightful response or just an excuse? Peter and the apostles with him had a rightful reason and response. Though we are not told how many were with Peter, we know there was at least one other apostle with him.
The high priest was upset with them for performing miracles and preaching about Jesus. In fact, he had them captured and put in prison. Yet, God had freed them from prison by directing an angel to open the doors of the prison. They were once again preaching in the temple.
This infuriated the high priest. His orders were being disobeyed. The apostles were continuing to do what he had told them to cease and thrown them in prison for. The captain of the temple police apprehended the apostles and brought before the high priest again. The high priest is less worried about the blood of Jesus and more worried about his own. Isn’t that how it typically goes? The accusers are always worried about themselves.
However, Peter boldly states that they must obey God rather than human authority. Now, let’s be careful about our interpretation of what Peter did. True, he disobeyed human authority. Yet, he did not break laws in doing so. All he did was preach the gospel. He did not protest, cause a riot, destroy property, nor rebuke the authorities. What did he do? He continued to preach the gospel. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Perhaps we would do well to worry less about human authorities and concern ourselves with obeying God. Maybe, just maybe, we should spend more time telling others about Jesus and less time worrying about what human authorities are doing. Doing so would make us more like Peter and less like the rest of the world.
We will continue with Peter’s response tomorrow.
Acts 5:27-29 When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”
Marty Pressey 