“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? 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 Men ACTS 5:29

Ought To Obey God Rather Than Men I.Different Standards – Not the Same

A.God wants us to obey him 1.Exo. 19:5 – if obey will be special treasure 2.1 Sam. 15:22 – to obey is better than sacrifice 3.Heb. 5:8-9 – eternal life to all who obey B.Two different standards 1.Isa. 55:8-9 – God’s ways are higher 2.1 Cor. 1:25 – foolishness of God is wiser than man C.Often they are just opposite 1.Evidence in our text: Acts 5:29 2.Rom. 3:4 – God be true – every man a liar

Ought To Obey God Rather Than Men I.Different Standards – Not the Same 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 God 2.Rom. 2:8 – lose our soul

Ought To Obey God Rather Than Men I.Different Standards – Not the Same II.Serious Consequences 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 Men I.Different Standards – Not the Same II.Serious Consequences III. Men We Must Obey IV. Easy to Yield to Pressure of Men

A.Man can put pressure on us 1.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 yield 1.1 Sam. 15:1, 24 – fear the people 2.Dan. 3: 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 Men I.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

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 Men I.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