Authority Disobeyed to Obey God

Scripture Reading:  Acts 4:13-22

Focus Verse: Acts 4:18 "So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus."
The Bible commands us to obey the authority that is placed over us.  Is there ever a time that God would want us to disobey that authority?  I believe that whenever that authority gives a command that keeps us from obeying God then we must follow the Bible and not the authority.

In our scripture reading Peter and John are told by the Jewish Sanhedrin council not to speak in Jesus name.  Their response was, "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."  Clearly Peter and John had to talk about the things of Jesus they had witnessed. Jesus commanded them to do this.  In fact they believed so much in what they were talking about, they were willing to die for it.

Are you willing to speak about Jesus no matter what kind of opposition you get?  The Bible has given us as believers to take this Gospel to the whole world.  So if you have opposition to speaking in Jesus name, be encouraged, it's been happening for centuries.  There are many in the world that will continue to reject the message of Jesus.  But there are some that will believe and receive.

When Does a Missionary Share the Gospel?

Scripture Reading:  Acts 8:26-38,  Jonah 1:1-17

Focus Verse: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be  ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; " 1 Peter 3:15

Last week we looked at who is a missionary and what does a missionary do.  This week we want to look at when does a missionary share the Gospel?  The short answer is: anytime.  The Bible says we are to always be ready to share God's love.  1 Peter 3:15 says "If you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.  There is no bad time to tell someone about Jesus.

Sometimes God tells us specifically when to share.  There are two examples in the Bible that come to mind:  An angel of the Lord came to Phillip and told him to travel to the desert.  There he was to preach Jesus to a man from Ethiopia.  Phillip obeyed immediately.  The other example is Jonah.  God asked him to go to the wicked city of Nineveh.  Jonah disobeyed and went in the opposite direction.  But he did later obey, and many trusted in God from that city.

Let us be like Phillip and obey as soon as God gives us a mission to share His Gospel.  We should be attentive to God's leading for us to speak with others that have never heard the good news. 

~Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries