Scripture Union Daily Guide 23 July 2020
Topic: Whom to Obey, God or Man?
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Opening Prayer: Help me to understand the exceeding greatness of your power as I read through this passage, dear Lord.
Scripture: Acts 5:21b–32
Reflection
• Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 23 July 2020 Message
The Council was completely perplexed on hearing the startling news about the prisoners (vv.23–24). Nobody has ever vanished behind locked prison doors! Imagine both their relief and confusion when they learnt shortly afterwards that the apostles were teaching in the temple (v.25).
Observe that Peter and his fellow apostles were willing to follow the captain and they appeared before the Sanhedrin because they knew they were in God’s hands. Their recent experience must have emboldened them. Consequently, it is those carrying out the arrest, rather than the apostles that were fearful (vv.26–27).
The commitment of the apostles to proclaim the truth of the gospel, despite persecution, is simply amazing. The key to this perseverance lies in their response in v.29. It is true that Christians are enjoined to obey all authority (Romans 13:1) but the context is that such authorities are terrors to evil (v.3). So, where there is clear conflict in trying to be loyal to God and authorities at the same time, our loyalty must be to God, as the apostles clearly demonstrated. See Matthew 5:11. Peter again seized the opportunity to tell the story of Jesus in impressive simplicity, echoing the Great Commission (vv.31–32). We will see how it was received tomorrow.
⁂ Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Practice/Word Application
• Thought: What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?
Toda’s Hymn – Jesus, Master, whose I am
1. Jesus, Master, whose I am,
Purchased Thine alone to be,
By Thy blood, O spotless Lamb,
Shed so willingly for me,
Let my heart be all Thine own,
Let me live for Thee alone.
2. Jesus, Master, I am Thine;
Keep me faithful, keep me near;
Let Thy presence in me shine
All my homeward way to cheer,
Jesus, at Thy feet I fall,
O be Thou my all in all.
Prayer Points
• Thank you Lord, for your power to save and to keep.
• Thank God for the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus.
• Offer a prayer of faith in line with John 14:26
Read the Bible in one Year
Psalms 35–36; Acts 17:1–15
Scripture Union Daily Guide 23 July 2020 – Scripture Union is an international, inter-denominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.
