Peter and John had to decide what is right in the sight of God. Acts 4: 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.[1]
What had they seen and heard? They had been with Jesus for three years, heard His teaching, and seen His miracles. They had seen His resurrected body and saw Jesus ascend back into heaven. The experience of Pentecost emboldened them to speak.
Commanded to be Witnesses
Jesus had left the disciples with specific instructions. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.[2]
If Peter and John had obeyed the council, they would be disobedient to God. Their response was a backhanded way of accusing the council of being at odds with the will of God. The Holy Spirit empowered Peter and John to continue carrying out their witness assignment.
Obedience is Key
These disciples had a model of what happens when one is disobedient to God’s instructions. God had commanded King Saul to destroy the Amalekites, but Saul only partially followed. Samuel had to go correct Saul.
1 Samuel 15: 18 And the Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ 19 Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?” 20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. 21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” [3]
Follow God’s Instructions
Saul had decided to change what God had told him to do what he thought was better. Samuel bluntly said to him that his rebellion was like witchcraft. By being disobedient, Saul had elevated his wishes above God’s plan. Saul’s partial obedience was as bad as worshipping an idol.
It is still the same for us. We must depend on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to determine what is right in the sight of God in our situation. Then, we must obey it. Knowing Scripture helps us to know God and to hear the Holy Spirit. We may fail at times, but we can confess and repent and be assured that we are forgiven because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. May God enable you to do what is right in His sight. To hear more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/peter-and-john-arrested
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ac 4:19–20). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
[2-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.