Tag: Acts 5
Respectful disobedience
Scripture reading for May 12: Acts 5
“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 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.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, Whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him at His right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things and so is the Holy Spirit, Whom God has given to those that obey Him.” Acts 5:27-31
The apostles were brought before the council of the Jews and commanded not to preach or heal in Jesus’ Name. (Acts 4:17) However they had continued to minister and God had granted many miracles and healings. They were arrested and imprisoned, but an angel opened the doors and told them to go to the temple and preach. At daybreak, they headed out. The officials, thinking they were still in custody, asked to have them brought in. Instead they were told that the men were preaching in the Name of Jesus at the temple!
When the high priest questioned them, he asked why they did not heed his strict warning. The disciples told him that they must obey God rather than men. And then they spoke the Gospel to the high priest and religious leaders who had gathered. The told of how they had killed Jesus through crucifixion and how God the Father had raise Him up from the dead. They declared the resurrected Jesus was at God’s right hand as Leader and Savior. He was there offering salvation to all who would repent in Israel and He would also forgive their sins. With the boldness of the Holy Spirit they declared the Word of God!
Have you ever had to chose between obeying God and obeying man? Why did these religious leaders, including the high priest, forbid these men from preaching and healing in Jesus’ Name? How was the Holy Spirit a part of this event?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Good News of Jesus, the Son of God, coming into our world and disrupting religion. The rules of men, even religious ones, must never contradict Your Word. Fill me again with holy boldness and courage to obey You and not men. Open prison doors and send them out! Amen!
Obey God, not Men!
Scripture reading for May 11th: Acts 5
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 5:29-32 “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead–whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.””
The leaders of the Jews and the High Priest tried to get the Apostles not to preach in the Name of Jesus. They were really jealous of the crowds, the healings and miracles, and the number of people following the Apostles. The Apostles wisely responded that they must obey God first, and not be influenced by the opposing demands of these men. They had received the Holy Spirit because they obeyed Jesus and received power to be bold witnesses! Even in this polite refusal, they preached the Gospel message of Jesus death and resurrection for the purpose of giving opportunity for repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. They showed the power and boldness of the Holy Spirit as they fearlessly declared the message of salvation!
Observations for over-comers: Because we love God, over-comers will always obey Him and preach the Gospel to all men. No threat or command to stop can be heeded when God has commanded His word to be spoken! “But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” ” (1st Samuel 15:22)
Healing by shadow!
Scripture reading for May 12th: Acts 5
“The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.” (Acts 5:12-16)
Right after the sudden deaths of Ananias and his wife Sapphira for lying to the Holy Spirit, a holy fear came over the church and people. There were understandable reservations about joining the apostles and their group who met in a room near the temple. The apostles were highly regarded because of the miraculous signs and wonders that they performed on a regular basis as they ministered to the lost, sick and demon-possessed. However, as they ministered and preached the Gospel of the resurrected Christ, many were added to the number of believers!
As the disciples moved about ministering, people would bring the sick into the streets and seek to get them close enough to Peter and the apostles that their shadow might bring healing or at least get their attention for ministry and prayer! God so anointed them that all the sick and demon-possessed that were brought to them from Jerusalem and surrounding towns were healed! God honors faith and faithfulness! Has your shadow been sought by the hurting because of the anointing of Jesus on your life? God’s willing to use us!