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 who obey him” (Acts 5:27-32).
The apostles were brought before the Jewish
leaders again to answer for their disobedience. They had been strictly charged
not to teach in the name of Jesus Christ. They answered even more clearly than
before… “We must obey God rather than men”. Disciples like you
and me are consistently faced with the same choice, to obey God or men because
we live in a fallen and unbelieving world. Jesus said obedience is evidence of
true love… “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John
14:15). He went on to say that there are wonderful blessings for obedience,
the best of which is growing intimacy and fellowship with the Father and His
Son… “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love
him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23).
Today we see that the apostles experienced three wonderful blessings as the
result of their choice to obey God rather than men, and we are encouraged to
follow their example so that we might also enjoy the blessings of obedience.
Obedient disciples receive the Holy Spirit.
Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to more than 500 followers just
before His ascension… “Behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon
you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke
24:49). Those who obeyed His command received the fulfillment of the
promise on the day of Pentecost… “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they
were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound
like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were
sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one
of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in
other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). As
Christ’s disciples, we have this same promise… “Peter said to them, ‘Repent
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For
the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off,
everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself’” (Acts 2:38-39). As we
increasingly obey the Lord we can expect His Holy Spirit to fill and lead us
more and more.
Obedient disciples receive boldness to
witness. Despite being commanded not to teach in the name of Jesus Christ,
the apostles were fully engaged in healing, delivering, and sharing the gospel
in His name. There was no fear in their hearts because their obedience
reflected the love for Christ that filled their hearts and Christ’s love drives
away fear… “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.
For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in
love” (1 John 4:18). Their obedience led to boldness because they were
so filled with the Holy Spirit’s power there was no room for any fear in their
hearts… “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and
self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Our increasing obedience leads to
increasing boldness and confidence in serving Christ.
Obedient disciples experience success.
The Jewish elders confirmed the Lord’s anointing and blessing on the ministry
of the apostles with the words… “you have filled Jerusalem with your
teaching”. Obedience places us in position to receive God’s blessing as
we serve Him… “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep
it!” (Luke 11:28). Our increasing obedience yields God’s increasing
blessing on our efforts to serve Him and to share His glorious gospel.
As we grow up into Christ, listening to and obeying His precious word,
we increasingly enjoy…
The Blessings of Obedience.
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