God Or Man

But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 

Acts 4:19-20 

Peter set forth the issue of whether the witnesses of Christ should listen to God or man. After the healing of the lame man at the Temple, the authorities arrested Peter and John. After holding them overnight, they brought them before the ruling council and threatened them, ‘not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.’ Our text is their response. Several points come out of this. First, listening to Christ’s commands is listening to God’s commands. Second, God’s commands supersede the commands of man, especially when it comes to the proclamation of Christ. Third, there is no contest in the mind of the witnesses. Fourth, the witnesses of Christ accept whatever consequence comes as the result of their preaching Christ. In this instance, there was only more threatening. Later there would be beatings, incarceration, and death. Peter planted the flag in the face of the enemies of Christ. He would obey God by preaching Christ. This has not really changed over the course of the centuries. Whoever preaches Christ has made the decision to listen to God rather than man.  

Our Wise and Holy God, 
we rejoice that You have spoken to us 
and called us to proclaim Christ. 
We praise You that we have this privilege 
every day and in all circumstances. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning