29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
The apostles were not cowed by the Sanhedrin. They proceeded to proclaim the gospel boldly in the Temple.
5:29
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
The apostles’ response to them was that their primary responsibility was to God rather than to the Sanhedrin.
5:30
The God of our fathers
The phrase “the God of our fathers” reminded the Sanhedrin that preaching about the Messiah had its beginning in the Old Testament and that Jesus was the Messiah.
raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.
Peter’s defense was that God raised Jesus, whom the Sanhedrin had murdered, from the dead. The Resurrection of Christ was a hot button for the Sadducees, who denied any resurrection. The Sadducees composed most of the Sanhedrin.
5:31
Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince [royalty] and Savior,
Peter further argued that God exalted Jesus as a “Prince and Savior” at the Father’s right hand. This act was the vindication of the person and the work of Christ. The term “Prince” is a royal word indicating the future reign of Christ on earth. The kingdom that the Jews expected would become a reality in the future.
to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
The purpose of the coming of Christ the Messiah was to allow Israel to repent and, having done so, receive forgiveness of sins.
5:32
And we are His witnesses to these things,
The 12 apostles witnessed the coming and work of Christ on earth. They would not deny the message of the death and Resurrection of Christ.
and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given
God gave the Holy Spirit as a witness of Christ to those who obey Him. He is the One who corroborates their testimony and ultimately makes the gospel effective. God gives the Spirit who everyone who believes in Christ (Ro 8:9).
to those who obey Him.”
Obedience is a characteristic of someone who believes in Jesus.
PRINCIPLE:
Christians obey the government unless the state demands obedience to a nonbiblical value.
APPLICATION:
The general biblical principle is that Christians are to obey the government. However, there is one exception to obeying government (Ro 13:1-7; 1 Pe 2:13-17), and that is the will of God. The authority of God takes precedence over human government.
