“We Ought to Obey God Rather Than Men…”

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 6

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

“We Ought to Obey God Rather Than Men…”

“²⁹But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘“We ought to obey God rather than men. ³⁰The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.  ³¹Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  ³²And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” – Acts 5:21-32 (NKJV)

“We ought to obey God rather than men…” those are some powerful words!  I soooo wish I could have seen the faces of the of the chief priests and Pharisees who came to arrest Peter and the rest of the apostles, when Peter said that!  My guess is their (the Pharisees) jaws dropped; I know mine would have.  It is ironic, and kind of comical, that such an offense was taken at this statement, because in reality this is what the Pharisees and chief priests’ job description is – ministering, worshiping, and obeying the will of God through His Holy Spirit!  It’s saddening that these religious leaders were so spiritually blind and focused on the religious technicalities that they missed the point of this radical movement of the of God.  Heavenly Father, let Your testimony flow through me, that the people around me witness Your majesty, and that I can witness Your perfect work be manifested.  My citizenship is in heaven, my allegiance is to Christ, that He may fully control my life.  God let me “present my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to You.  Let me not be conformed to this world, but that I would be transformed by renewing my mind, that I may prove what is Your good and acceptable and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Application:  Today I will write down in my journal at least five things that I have witnessed the Lord do in my life, past and present, and prayerfully thank Him for His tender mercies.