“Do I Obey Those In Authority?”
Acts 4:15-22
As we continue in our text we come upon a very relevant subject; do I obey those in authority?
This is not an easy subject because the answer is yes and no.
Romans 13 would be a great place to understand about obedience to those in authority; yet I see many examples when disobedience is not only permitted but required.
Illustration:
In the early 1770s, more and more colonists became convinced that Parliament intended to take away their freedom. In fact, the Americans saw a pattern of increasing oppression and corruption happening all around the world. Parliament was determined to bring its unruly American subjects to heel. Britain began to prepare for war in early 1775. The first fighting broke out in April in Massachusetts. In August, the King declared the colonists “in a state of open and avowed rebellion.” For the first time, many colonists began to seriously consider cutting ties with Britain. The publication of Thomas Paine’s stirring pamphlet Common Sense in early 1776 lit a fire under this previously unthinkable idea. The movement for independence was now in full swing.
July 2, 1776 the Continental Congress voted to adopt a resolution dissolving their relationship with England and on July 4, 1776 it was unanimously voted upon and later a copy was sent to England where it was not received well by King George.
In Congress, July 4, 1776:
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
We know this to be the Declaration of Independence of America but in our text we see much the same.
I. The Meeting Of Leaders Acts 4:15-17
15 “But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.”
It seemed to not matter that a miracle had been observed, they just wanted to know what they could “do to these men.”
There was no denying the miracle that was seen by so many and “we cannot deny it.”
In other words “don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up.”
Vs. 17 let’s threaten them - Threaten “To declare the purpose of inflicting punishment, pain or other evil on another, for some sin or offense.” Webster’s 1828 dictionary
II. The Demands Of The Leaders Acts 4:18
18 “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”
In the not so distant past (2020) there was, unleashed, a deadly plague to the world. Some call it a “pandemic” but I call it a “plandemic.”
Orders were given to shut the world down. In some countries people that were caught out of their homes were arrested; some states instituted a hotline to report on any neighbor or family member that violated such orders.
Such was the case here in the state of Michigan, were orders were given to not assemble for any reason including church. Then in the written Executive Order there was a clause that said if you are meeting for worship you are exempt for such an order.
We met as a church should and lost several families because they said I “violated the verbal orders of our governor.”
The point I am making is; not every order should be followed.
Any violation of our Biblical call and God given liberties must be a point in which we will follow the Bible and not man.
III. The Response To The Leader Acts 4:19-20
19 “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Daniel 3:15-18 “Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
Acts 5:29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Hebrews 11:23 “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.”
IV. The Resolve Of The Leaders Acts 4:21-22
21 “So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.”
Once again the “Leaders of the Temple” threatened them but had no reason to punish them.
Observation:
Man does not need an excuse to bring hardship to a believer, it just looks better if they can convince others they are right.
Conclusion:
I do not call for a general disobedient response to the laws of our land; but I call for a biblical understanding of the limits that are placed to those who have authority.
What will your response be when you are arrested for standing for truth?
I see really only two (2) possible answers:
1. Do as you are told?
2. Defy the orders?
There is no middle of the ground when you are ordered to violate the Word of God.
You either obey or disobey.
Next week we will continue and see how Peter and John responded to this unlawful act against them.
There is no Biblical order if you are not a Child of God. Are you saved? Then Follow God.
