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Acts 5:29
“But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."”
This statement comes from the New Testament book of Acts, written by Luke. It's spoken by Peter and the apostles after they have been arrested and brought before the Jewish high court (the Sanhedrin) for continuing to teach about Jesus, despite having been explicitly ordered to stop.
How does identifying what you understand as 'God's will' shape your engagement with human systems and rules?
Then — the setting
This event takes place in Jerusalem, likely in the early 30s CE, shortly after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. The Sanhedrin was the supreme Jewish religious and judicial body, made up of elders, chief priests, and scribes. They had significant authority under Roman rule, especially in religious matters affecting the Jewish community. Peter and the apostles were Jews themselves, deeply embedded in this cultural and religious context, making their defiance particularly potent. Their claim to obey God above human authority wasn't a novel concept within Jewish tradition, which often championed loyalty to divine law over human decrees when they conflicted (e.g., stories of prophets and figures like Daniel).
Across the Testaments
The Old Testament contains numerous examples of individuals and groups choosing to obey God even when it meant defying human rulers, from Moses confronting Pharaoh to prophets speaking truth to kings. This theme highlights a consistent thread: divine authority holds precedence over human authority when the two are in conflict. The New Testament, while affirming this principle (as seen in Acts 5:29), also contains passages like Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 that urge submission to governing authorities. This creates a dynamic tension, requiring discernment regarding when a government's demands fundamentally conflict with God's perceived will, versus when they are simply part of the societal order to be respected.
Keep thinking
Read alongside it
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego defy a king's command to worship an idol, stating they will not serve his gods.
Paul instructs believers to be subject to governing authorities, as they are established by God.
Peter encourages submission to human institutions 'for the Lord's sake', while also calling for living as free people, not using freedom as a pretext for evil.
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