The apostles did not regret their decision to obey God. So, do you follow God or people? The choice is yours; if you choose to obey God, you will never regret it if you do what the Lord says!

Obey God Not People; You Will Never Regret It

STM Bible Lesson

Lesson focus: Acts 5:29-32. Bible lesson background Acts 5:12-42: J. Vernon McGee’s Thru the Bible – “The apostles were obeying what their Lord and Master had told them to do. Believers are commanded to obey civil authority [my note: in this case, the Sanhedrin council] — except when it comes in conflict with the commandment of God.

The fame of the miracles, and especially of Peter’s, caused this to be done. It is not said that the shadow of Peter falling on them did any good, but the people supposed it might. The object is to show the great favor of the apostles to the people. It was a time, however, when multitudes of miracles were wrought.

The apostles chose to obey God

Do you obey God, people, or your flesh (human nature)? The morals of society are changing. Less focus on what God says and more on what people want. Groups of people demand rights that do not align with God’s will. People may say it is okay, but God has the final say.

Acts 5:29-32 [read Acts 5:12-32 (29-32)]

To this Peter and the apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than people. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging him on a cross. It is this Jesus whom God has exalted to his right hand, to be a guide and a Savior, to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. And we are witness to the truth of this, and so is the Holy Spirit — the gift of God to those who obey him.” (OEB)

KJV: Then 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 ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

The apostles had to decide whether to obey God or do what the Sanhedrin court (the council*) said. They suffered but chose to obey God. Are you willing to make that sacrifice?

*Note: The council consisted of: rulers, elders, and scribes (Acts 4:5). Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, Jonathan, Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest (Acts 4:6). The chief priests (Acts 4:23; 5:24).

Continuing Power in the Church

Acts 5:15-16 [read Acts 5:12-16 (15-16)]

Because of what was happening, people began lining the streets with the sick, positioning them on cots or mats so that when Peter walked by, his shadow might fall on some of them.
16  Masses of people from all over the country came to Jerusalem; they brought those who were sick or afflicted by an evil spirit, and everyone was healed. (Remedy)

KJV: Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

An angel sets them free

Acts 5:17-18 [read Acts 5:17-21 (17-18)]

But the head priest and the Jewish sect of the Sadducees became very jealous, 18 and arrested the apostles and put them in jail. (AUV)

KJV: Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

The apostles had no reason to regret their decision to obey God. An angel of the Lord released them and told them to continue. When you obey God, people cannot stop you.

Acts 5:19-20 [read Acts 5:17-21 (19-20)]

But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and led them out. 20 “Go to the Temple and tell the people everything about this new way of life!” he told them. (FBV)

KJV: But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

“Do not teach about Jesus”

What people say should never override God and His word or His will. The priests warned the apostles again. No surprise here; all of the apostles knew the position of the priests. Acts 4:23 says Peter and John (Acts 3:1) told the other apostles {their companions} all that the priests said to them.

Acts 5:28 [read Acts 5:22-32 (28)]

High Priest: Didn’t we give you strict orders to stop teaching in this name? But here you are, spreading your teaching throughout Jerusalem. And you are determined to blame us for this man’s death. (VOICE)

KJV: Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

Whatever you do, continue to obey God

Are you doing what God wants or sent you to do? Do you regret it?

The apostles did not focus on the threats from the council. While the council met, they (the apostles) were in the temple teaching.

Acts 5:41-42 [read Acts 5:33-42 (41-42)]

The apostles left the meeting full of joy because they were given the honor of suffering disgrace for Jesus. 42 The apostles did not stop teaching people. Every day in the Temple and in people’s homes they continued to tell the Good News—that Jesus is the Christ. (ICB)

KJV: And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Your enemy may plot against you. While they plot; make sure you do as God told you.

Be willing to suffer

So many believe that believers should not suffer. Consider what Paul and Apollos endured as an example of suffering for Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:11 [read 1 Corinthians 4:6-13 (11)]

To this hour we are hungry and thirsty, and our clothes are worn out. People hurt us. We have no homes. (NLV)

KJV: Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;

You will never regret it

2 Timothy 1:8 and 12 [read 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (8 and 12)]

8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord or be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, by God’s power, join me in suffering for the sake of the Good News. 12 For this reason I suffer as I do.
However, I’m not ashamed [I have no regrets]. I know whom I trust. I’m convinced that he is able to protect what he had entrusted to me until that day. (GW)

KJV: 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Winners

According to Peter, those who put their faith in Christ will win. So always trust and obey God.

1 Peter 2:6 [read 1 Peter 2:4-10 (6)]

As Scripture says, “See! I’m setting in Zion its main cornerstone, specially-chosen and valuable. Whoever trusts in him will not be disappointed [will never have cause to regret it].” (FBV)

KJV: Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded [Isaiah 28:16].

Bonus advice from the Apocrypha

Ecclesiasticus 32:19 [read Ecclesiasticus 32:14-24 (19)]

Never do anything without thinking it through, and once you have done something, don’t look back and wish you had done something else. (GNT)

KJV: Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.

Obey God, not people; especially false teachers

Is it okay to ignore God’s instructions to please people? When someone preaches or teaches something that is not the truth; do what God says.

Matthew 15:7-9 [read Matthew 15:1-20 (7-9); compare Mark 7:1-23 (7-9)]

You pretenders! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you. He said, 8 “‘These people honor me by what they say. But their hearts are far away from me. 9 Their worship doesn’t mean anything to me. They teach nothing but human rules.’” [Isaiah 29:13] (NIRV)

KJV: Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

You must study the Scriptures to make sure you are obeying God. Because their are many false teachers and false prophets.

Be Holy, Because God Is Holy

At some point in your life, you did what you wanted. God was not part of your life. People may have influenced your decisions, but now?

1 Peter 1:14-16 [Read 1 Peter 1:13-21 (14-16)]

In the past you did not have the understanding you have now, so you did the evil things you wanted to do. But now you are children of God, so you should obey him and not live the way you did before. 15 Be holy in everything you do, just as God is holy. He is the one who chose you.
16 In the Scriptures God says, “Be holy, because I am holy.” (ERV)

KJV: As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy [Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2].

Hebrews 13:21 [read Hebrews 13:20-25 (21)]

I pray that God will make you ready to obey him and that you will always be eager to do right. May Jesus help you do what pleases God. To Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever! Amen. (CEV)

KJV: Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

How often have you had to choose between pleasing God and a person or people? The choice is yours; choose to please and obey God, and you will never regret it! Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible lesson. I urge you to make full use of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺

Related studies, lessons, and snacks for further spiritual growth:

Repentance; A Change of Life That Leads to Salvation! – an estimated 23-minute read.

Positive Attitude; Welcome to a New Way of Being! – an estimated 19-minute read.

Follow 3 Simple Keys for True Followers of Jesus – an estimated 7-minute read.

Father, Son, Holy-Spirit Share One Name; The Name Jesus – an estimated 14-minute read.

Jesus Is The Best Friend IF You Obey Him – an estimated 6-minute read.

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