By Flattery, George M. IntroductionJesus poured out the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to empower the disciples to be witnesses. Thus, we are not surprised to learn that they proceeded to witness in great power. However, their witnessing did not go unnoticed or unopposed. It led to great controversy with the religious leaders. The leaders forbid them to speak in the name of Jesus. The disciples had to decide whether to obey God or men. For a full explanation of this text, click here. One, the apostles said, "We must obey God rather than men." During the controversy, the high priest questioned (Acts 5:28) the apostles, saying: "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." Responding to this challenge, Peter and the apostles said (Acts 5:29): "We must obey God rather than men." (NASU) Jesus had commanded the apostles to be witnesses and poured out the Holy Spirit upon them. The apostles were not challenging the authority of the rulers in a general sense. They were law-abiding citizens. Rather, they faced the question of who had the authority to tell them whether or not to witness. They did not lightly go against the Council or the government, but this was a matter of conflict between the command of God and the orders of men. They had to obey God. Two, the apostles and the Holy Spirit were witnesses. All followers of Christ are commissioned to be witnesses. The apostles lifted up Jesus Christ whom God had resurrected. This was the very message they had been ordered not to preach. The apostles pointed out that the Council had put Jesus to death by hanging Him on a cross. It was this same Jesus that God had exalted to His right hand. It was through Jesus that they would have forgiveness. Peter then said (Acts 5:32), "And we are witnesses of these things." (NASU) The apostles to the very core of their being were witnesses. Not only were the apostles witnesses, but also the Holy Spirit was a witness. The Spirit witnessed through the apostles whom He empowered. The Holy Spirit lifts up and exalts Jesus. Three, God gave the Holy Spirit to the apostles. He will give the Spirit to us. Peter declares (Acts 5:32) that the Holy Spirit is the one "whom God has given" to those obeying Him. As elsewhere in the Book of Acts, the Holy Spirit is regarded as a gift. Why does Peter mention the gift of the Holy Spirit? What meaning would his remark have had for his audience? To the Hebrew mind the presence of the Spirit was a seal of approval. God authenticated His prophets and His judges when He poured out His Spirit upon them. Peter was saying to the high priest. "See these men who have been teaching in the name of Jesus? Even though you commanded them not to do so, they have the authority of God and His approval. How do I know? God has given the Spirit to them." Four, those who were "obeying" Christ received the gift of the Spirit. According to Peter, God has given the Spirit "those who obey him." Here, the obedience has to do with witnessing. The apostles had been commanded to be witnesses, and they were obeying. They were exalting the resurrected Christ! Because of the participle "obeying," we can that that the Spirit is given before, during, and after our obeying. One, when we are filled with the Spirit we will be empowered to witness. Acts 1:8 makes this abundantly clear. Two, when we are going about the task of world evangelism, we are confronted with situations where we need the Spirit. When we obey God, the Spirit will be given to us to meet the need. Three, the Spirit is given to us while we are obeying. ConclusionThe main point of Peter's declaration in Acts 5:32 is that the Holy Spirit is the source of the authority and power of the apostles. As believers, they had been obedient to the faith, but the issue here is their ongoing proclamation. Even though ordered by the Council not to witness, the apostles are obeying God by faithfully witnessing. God filled them with the Spirit to authenticate and empower them. Today, the main point for us is that we must be faithful to witness. Sometimes, we encounter great opposition, but God has commanded us to exalt Christ. We must obey His command! Let us be faithful to God's command.

[ Fri, 27 Oct 2006 14:34:00 GMT ]

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