In Acts chapter 5, we see that the Apostles were doing miracles, healing many people. People were drawn to belief in Jesus through the preaching of the apostles. This concerned the high priest and his associates, and they had the apostles arrested, placed in a public prison.

That evening, an angel of the Lord led them out of the jail and told them to preach in the temple courts. The next day, the high priest called for the apostles but they were not there.

The captain and his officers went to get the apostles from the temple court…. and here is one interesting part…..verse 26 tells us that they did not use force, which means the apostles went willingly, knowing they had been placed in prison, “escaped” and were now again in disobedience of the leaders. What would they face as they went with the captain and his officers?

When questioned as to why they were disobeying the order to talk about Jesus, Peter and the other apostles replied that they must obey God, not man.

Who are you obeying? Is it God, or is it man? Are you trying to please those around you? Are you trying to avoid the punishment that man might give for talking about Jesus?

Later a Pharisee named Gamaliel asked to speak to the high priest, sharing some history and then saying that “if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Peter and the apostles knew that God was leading them by the power of the Holy Spirit and that it was the Holy Spirit giving him the boldness to speak truth and take a stand for Jesus in the face of adversity from man.

Maybe we struggle being bold for Jesus, because we have never experienced the power of the Holy Spirit.

So why do we do what we do? Is it to please God, or to please man? Are we bold to share Jesus, even in the face of adversity from others? Do you know that God is with you, and that nothing will separate you from His love?

Sometimes we make it difficult, but it’s not…. just share your story of what God has done for you.

Why do you do what you do?