 | Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! |
 | Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. |
 | But Peter and the apostles answered, We must obey God rather than men. |
| Acts 5:29 |
Commentary
As to the accusation of disobedience to authority, Peter put the charge in context. Jesus had said, "You shall be My witnesses" (1:8). The council said, "You shall not be His witnesses" (v. 28). All authority comes from God. When any authority commands what God has forbidden, or forbids what God has commanded, a Christian must obey the Author of all authority, God Himself. We submit to governmental authority because the One who instituted the authority is God Himself. When we submit to government, we are submitting to God.
As to the accusation of disobedience to authority, Peter put the charge in context. Jesus had said, "You shall be My witnesses" (1:8). The council said, "You shall not be His witnesses" (v. 28). All authority comes from God. When any authority commands what God has forbidden, or forbids what God has commanded, a Christian must obey the Author of all authority, God Himself. We submit to governmental authority because the One who instituted the authority is God Himself. When we submit to government, we are submitting to God.
Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Ac 5:29). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.
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