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OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

DATE: WEDNESDAY, 28TH JUNE, 2023 

TOPIC: OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN

TEXT: ACTS 5:17-42

17.  Then the high priest rose up, and all those who [were] with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation,
18.  and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.
19.  But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,
20.  "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."
21.  And when they heard [that,] they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22.  But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported,
23.  saying, "Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!"
24.  Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be.
25.  So one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"
26.  Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.
27.  And when they had brought them, they set [them] before the council. And the high priest asked them,
28.  saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!"
29.  But Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.
30.  "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.
31.  "Him God has exalted to His right hand [to be] Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
32.  "And we are His witnesses to these things, and [so] also [is] the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."
33.  When they heard [this,] they were furious and plotted to kill them.
34.  Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.
35.  And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.
36.  "For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.
37.  "After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.
38.  "And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;
39.  "but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it -- lest you even be found to fight against God."
40.  And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten [them,] they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41.  So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
42.  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus [as] the Christ.


MESSAGE: 
In Acts 4:18-19, the Jewish leaders warned the Apostles not to speak in the name of Jesus again, but Peter replied that they would rather obey God than obey man. In our text today, the case was revisited. Peter and others were rearrested for preaching in the name of Jesus. The Apostles replied the same way, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (vs. 28-29).  They were bold and joyful to suffer for God’s sake, because they had truly had an experience with Jesus and were witnesses of the mighty things God wrought in Him (vs. 32, 41).
 
From the text, we can see that God miraculously delivered them from prison, strengthened them in their suffering and used Gamaliel to intercede for them among their enemies when there was a plot to kill them (v.33). It pays to obey God because He is all-powerful and cannot be limited. He can deliver when all hope is lost and can use anybody for your sake. When you suffer because of your obedience in Christ Jesus, count it all joy like the Apostles. Learn to obey Him from today on and He will abundantly reward your obedience.


Prayer: 
Mighty God, grant me grace to always obey You, in Jesus’ name. Amen

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