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THE APOSTLES BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL (27-42)

The council confronts the disciples about continuing to preach the gospel. But the disciples
make it clear they must obey God. Peter then accuses the religious leaders of crucifying Jesus.
The council is so enraged they want the disciples to be put to death immediately. Gamaliel
reasons with the council, and the council listens. Again they only threaten the disciples and
release them. The disciples rejoiced at the suffering and continue to teach and preach.

INTERROGATION BY THE HIGH PRIEST

Act 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high
priest asked them,

Notice the question is not “How did you escape from prison?” The council was afraid of the
response they would receive if they asked that question. Instead, they interrogate the disciples
over preaching in the name of Jesus.

Act 5:28 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.

Satan hates the name of Jesus, and religion is backed by Satan and demons. But the name of
Jesus has been exalted above them all.

By this time, the teaching of the disciples has saturated Jerusalem and everyone is talking about
the words, signs, and wonders of the disciples. Yet these religious leaders believe the disciples
are preaching to blame them for the death of Jesus. However, these same leaders had already
accepted this blame when Jesus was taken to be crucified (Matthew 27:24-25).

This verse reveals the corruption of the religious leaders. They are more concerned about
themselves than the people.

PETER’S RESPONSE

Act 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather
than men.

The Bible commands us to obey the laws of the land (Romans 13) because government is of the
Lord. But when government oversteps its limits and dictates when and where to preach the

gospel, believers must go with the Word. When men in authority contradict God’s Word, then
and only then do Christians have a right to disobey the law.