The Limits of Our Obedience (Act 4 :1-22)

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Welcome:

Hello and welcome! Today, we delve into a crucial and complex topic: "The Limits of Obedience," based on Acts 4:1-22. As we explore the boundaries of our obedience to human authority and our ultimate allegiance to God, we’ll gain insights from the bold stand taken by Peter and John in the face of opposition. Thank you for joining us as we unpack this vital teaching and its implications for our lives today.

Episode Notes: The Limits of Obedience

Scripture Reference: Acts 4:1-22

Summary: In this episode, we address the challenging question of where the limits of obedience to human authorities lie, especially when such obedience conflicts with our commitment to God. Through the narrative in Acts 4:1-22, we see Peter and John boldly proclaiming the gospel despite being commanded by the authorities to stop teaching in the name of Jesus. This powerful passage illustrates the courage needed to stand firm in our faith and the principles guiding when and how to resist human directives that contradict God's commands.

Key Points:

1. Real-life Dilemmas: We begin with a real-life scenario of a woman conflicted between submitting to her husband and committing an unethical act, setting the stage for discussing the limits of obedience.
2. Context in Acts: Peter and John's arrest and bold defense before the Sanhedrin illustrate the principle of obeying God rather than men.
3. Transformation through the Holy Spirit: Peter's transformation from a fearful denier of Jesus to a bold proclaimer of the gospel underscores the power of the Holy Spirit in enabling us to stand firm in our faith.
4. Authority and Obedience: The episode examines the balance between submitting to human authorities and prioritizing God's commands, emphasizing that our ultimate allegiance is to God.
5. Practical Applications: We draw parallels to modern situations, such as ethical dilemmas in marriages and workplaces, offering guidance on maintaining integrity and obedience to God.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do we discern when to prioritize God's commands over human directives?
2. What are some personal experiences where you had to make a tough decision about obedience to authority?
3. How can we cultivate the boldness and courage seen in Peter and John in our own lives?

Reflection: Consider the areas in your life where you face challenges in balancing obedience to human authority and your commitment to God. Reflect on the example of Peter and John and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to stand firm in your faith, regardless of the consequences.

Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and share it with others who might benefit from this teaching. Stay tuned for more episodes as we continue to explore biblical principles and their application in our daily lives.

Transcript

The Limits of Obedience.  (Acts 4:1-22)

Full Transcript:

Over the years, I've encountered many challenging situations but let me share one of the milder cases. A woman came to me, clearly perturbed. She said, "My husband is not filling out our joint tax return correctly. He's not reporting all of our income. If I sign it, I'm just being loyal to the Lord, as He told me to submit to my husband. But if I don't sign it, I’m not submitting to my husband. What do I do?"

So, these situations occur not just in marriages but also in workplaces and various governments around the world. The Bible is very clear that we are to be obedient, but where is the limit? If we say there is a limit, are we then opening the door to disobedience for any reason we deem appropriate?

This is a complex topic, not one we grapple with every day. But you may face such a situation or know someone who does. So what does the bible teach about this?

We've been studying the book of Acts, and we've come to a passage that I believe illustrates this concept, and in fact helps by giving us some guidance.

Let’s turn our attention to Acts chapter 4, starting with verse 1:

Acts 4:1-22:

1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so, the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,

which has become the cornerstone.’

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

(Acts 4: 1-22)

The narrative for today’s passage began back in Acts chapter 3, where Peter and John, on their way to the temple, encounter a man who had been lame for over 40 years. He was begging for alms/charity, and Peter said to him, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." The man then rose and leaped with joy, thrilled to be able to walk.

As chapter 4 opens, Peter and John are in the temple and get arrested. 

The first section in this passage is about their incarceration. Verses 1-3 describe the members of the governing body of Israel, the Sanhedrin, who are greatly disturbed that Peter and John taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Now the Sanhedrin consisted of various parties, including the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, and the Pharisees, who were the legal scribes.

In this passage, we are looking at today we see a powerful example of the limits of obedience. 

Peter and John were commanded by the authorities not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, but they boldly declared that they must obey God rather than men. This passage illustrates and challenges us to consider the boundaries of our obedience and the courage needed to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with opposition. 

This situation is akin to having a governing body made up of various disparate parties, but united on one issue. ie: stopping the spread of talk about Jesus. 

They were determined to get rid of this message. In fact, verse 2 told us that they were "greatly disturbed." The original language conveys that they were not just annoyed; they were worn out and exasperated by all the preaching about Jesus. So, they arrested Peter and John.

They had the authority to arrest these men because the Sanhedrin had jurisdiction over the temple and could stop any disturbances the deemed fit, including arresting people. However, it was illegal for them to convene at night, which is why verse 3 mentions that they held Peter and John until the next day because it was already evening.

The Sanhedrin, the governing body of Israel, was exercising its authority to silence the message of Jesus. But as we shall see despite their arrest, the word of God was not silenced. 

Verse 4 reveals that many who heard the message believed, and the number of believers grew to about 5,000 men. This is a significant increase from the 3,000 who were saved on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, indicating that the movement was growing rapidly.

This growth highlights that while Peter and John were incarcerated for preaching in the name of Jesus, the word of God continued to spread. 

It's important to note that talking about the Lord can sometimes lead to negative consequences for us as individuals but it will not stop the power of the message we speak. In this case, Peter and John spent a night in jail. 

This tells me that while we often focus on the positive outcomes of sharing our faith, but we must also be prepared for possible adversity.

The next day, the rulers, elders, and scribes, along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other members of the high priest's family, gathered together. They set Peter and John in front of them and asked them, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" 

They recognized the good work and the miracle but were more concerned about the authority behind it. This question suggests they suspected some form of cultic power or wanted to understand the source of their authority.

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, responded boldly.

“If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

Peter directly addressed their question by declaring that it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they had crucified and whom God had raised from the dead, that the man was healed. He used this opportunity to boldly proclaim the gospel, emphasizing the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Peter’s boldness is striking, especially when compared to his behavior on the night Jesus was condemned. That night, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times out of fear, even when questioned by a servant girl. Now, standing before the same council that condemned Jesus, Peter fearlessly pointed out their role in crucifying Christ.

What changed in Peter? The answer lies in Acts 1:8, where Jesus promised that His followers would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Peter, we are told, now filled with the Holy Spirit, displayed a courage and boldness that transformed him from a fearful denier to a powerful witness for Christ.

This transformation reminds us that when we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can find the strength and courage to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of adversity. Peter's bold proclamation and unwavering faith serve as an example for us to follow, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit working through believers to continue the mission of Jesus. 

Peter continues his defence by providing an illustration. In verse 11, he says, "This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, has become the chief cornerstone." Although he doesn't explicitly state it, this is a quotation from Psalm 118:22. 

The context here is significant. When constructing a building, builders would select stones that were fit for the structure. The psalmist refers to a stone that the builders deemed worthless and rejected. However, when God builds His spiritual house, the stone that was rejected by humanity can and will becomes the cornerstone, the most important part of the building.

Peter is clearly referring to Jesus, whom the religious leaders had rejected and crucified, but whom God raised from the dead to be the cornerstone of His spiritual building.

The religious leaders had asked Peter and John by what authority and in whose name, they had healed the lame man. Peter not only answers their question but also goes beyond it by accusing them of killing Jesus. He is not done yet. In verse 12, one of the most famous verses in the book of Acts, Peter declares,

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Peter takes the opportunity to emphasize that Jesus is the only way to salvation. He uses the healing of the lame man as a platform to preach the gospel.

Peter's boldness is evident as he proclaims that there is no other name under heaven by which people can be saved. This echoes Jesus' own words in John 14:6, where He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." 

Remember Peter had heard Jesus say this, and he and John were now witnessing to this truth. The exclusivity of salvation through Jesus is a core message of the gospel.

Peter's proclamation unsettles the Sanhedrin, leading to a private meeting among the council members. They realized they had a problem on their hands. because they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated, ordinary men, and they were astonished, but they also took note that these men had been with Jesus. 

Peter and John were not formally educated or professionally trained in the Rabbinical schools of their day. Yet their knowledge of the Scriptures and their boldness were undeniable.

Education and ordination have their place, but they are not prerequisites for effective ministry. Some of the greatest preachers, like Charles Spurgeon, had little formal education but were mightily used by God. What matters most is knowing the Scriptures and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

The council members recognized that Peter and John had "been with Jesus." This is the key to their boldness and authority. Being with Jesus, knowing His word, and relying on the Holy Spirit are what equip us for ministry. It is not the degrees or titles we hold but our relationship with Christ that makes the difference.

Let this be an encouragement to all of you. You don't need a lot of education to serve the Lord effectively. What you need is a knowledge of the Scriptures and a close relationship with Jesus. If you have that, it will be evident to others, and God will use you powerfully in His service.

Peter and John’s boldness is undeniable, and it captivates the attention of the council and they can’t help but notice that Peter and John had been with Jesus, and it was unmistakable.

Peter and John’s association with Jesus was evident in their speech and actions. This observation troubled the council. They were in a bind because the healed man was standing right there, making it impossible to deny the miracle. They couldn’t dispute the evidence but were desperate to stop the message from spreading.

The council decided to command Peter and John to stop speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus. This directive highlights a recurring theme in these chapters: the powerful and controversial nature of Jesus’ name. When Peter healed the lame man, he did it in the name of Jesus. He preached that faith in Jesus’ name brought healing, and he declared salvation in no other name but Jesus.

This fixation on the name of Jesus is noteworthy. It underscores the significant impact and offense the name of Jesus holds in spiritual realms and human hearts. Today in our nation, in the use of public prayers, the inclusion of Jesus' name can be contentious, despite being a Christian minister’s natural expression of faith.

The council's order not to speak in Jesus' name is a direct attack on the essence of Peter and John’s message. Yet Peter and John respond with remarkable boldness. They say, "We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”" (Acts 4:20). This unwavering commitment to God’s command over human authority is a powerful testament to their faith.

Their response reflects a profound principle: What fills our hearts inevitably flows out in our words. If we are saturated with the word of God and the presence of Jesus, we will naturally speak about Him. Conversely, if we seldom speak of Jesus, it may indicate a lack of His presence in our hearts.

This principle can be observed in everyday interactions. People often reveal their true selves through their speech. By listening attentively, we can discern what occupies someone’s heart and mind. People will tell you who they are; we just have to listen.

Peter and John’s example challenges us to evaluate what fills our hearts. If we find ourselves not speaking about the Lord, we should examine what occupies our hearts. The solution, the key is being filled with the Holy Spirit and letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16).

When our hearts are full of God’s word and His presence, we will naturally speak of Him. Evangelism becomes a spontaneous overflow rather than a forced duty. Peter and John exemplify this, showing that true boldness and effective witness come from a heart deeply rooted in Jesus. If we’re not talking about the Lord, it’s a heart issue, not a knowledge or technique issue.

This is the essence of true, effective witness: a heart overflowing with the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Peter's response to the council was unwavering: "We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). He emphasized the necessity of proclaiming the name of Jesus because there is no other name by which people can be saved. This echoes Paul’s declaration in Philippians 2:9-11 that.

God exalted Jesus and gave Him a name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Despite the council’s threats, they had no legal ground to punish Peter and John further because the healed man was standing there as undeniable proof of their miracle. The council was left with no choice but to let them go, further threatening them one more final time to cease teaching in Jesus’ name 

This passage highlights the centrality and power of Jesus' name, but it also raises a crucial issue: the limits of obedience to authority. Scripture teaches that we should submit to governing authorities (1 Peter 2:13-17; Romans 13:1-7). However, Peter, who authored the command to submit, disobeyed this council in Acts 4. This disobedience indicates a limit to civic submission: When authorities command us to act contrary to God’s explicit instructions, we must obey God rather than men.

The principle here is that all human authority is delegated by God. When those in authority overstep their God-given bounds and command what God forbids or forbid what God commands, they nullify their legitimate claim to our obedience in that matter. 

However, please note we must have a clear directive from God to justify disobedience to human authorities. This is not a license for personal preference but a mandate to uphold God's commands above all else.

For example, if a wife is asked by her husband to commit a dishonest act, she must respectfully refuse, citing her higher obligation to God’s truth. (Like the example I gave at the start).

Similarly, in a work environment, if an employer asks an employee to engage in unethical behavior, the employee must decline, regardless of the consequences. (Like the example I gave at the start).

Peter faced severe repercussions for his stance, yet he remained steadfast because his ultimate allegiance was to God.

Ultimately, this story isn’t just about the name of Jesus or civil disobedience; it’s about being radical obedience to God. Are we willing to obey God regardless of the cost or consequences? This kind of commitment was exemplified by Peter and John, who defied the council's order because they were compelled by their allegiance to Jesus.

A profound illustration of this commitment is found in the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. Faced with the choice of bowing to an idol or being thrown into a fiery furnace, they declared their unwavering faith in God, saying He could deliver them, but even if He didn’t, they would not bow (Daniel 3:16-18). 

Their faith was not contingent on deliverance but on their commitment to obey God.

This principle still applies to us today. True obedience to God may sometimes require disobedience to human authorities, but such decisions must be guided by absolute clear divine directives. We must be so filled with God’s Word and His Spirit that our actions and words naturally reflect His will. As Peter and John demonstrated, we must be prepared to stand firm in our faith, no matter the opposition, because our highest allegiance is to God.

In closing, let me say that I believe this passage calls us to strive to be people of deep conviction and unwavering obedience to God. May we, like Peter and John, be so full of the Lord that we cannot help but speak of what we have seen and heard, and may we have the courage to stand for truth, regardless of the cost.