These words came from the apostles in Acts 5. Earlier in chapter 4 it was Peter and John in trouble with the authorities. Here in Acts 5 it was all the apostles who were standing trial, perhaps even for their lives. They had been warned back in chapter four to not preach in the name of Jesus. The reason was that their preaching pointed to the Jewish leadership as being the cause of the death of Jesus. That was their perception. Jesus was delivered by God to death in order that all men could be saved (Acts 2:23). The apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, were telling their audiences the truth about Jesus.
At issue with these men was the apostles did not do what they were told to do. By inspiration we find the words in the title of our article. The “we” of this passage was the apostles. They had not stolen the body from the tomb. The proof of such is the fact these men were ready to die. It would be hard to imagine someone dying for something they knew was a fraud. All twelve of these men were ready to die because they had all seen the risen Lord.
When we view the word “ought”, what is implied is obedience. If you say to someone you “ought” to do this or that, you are placing responsibility on the person you are talking with. Why do men not understand the meaning of “iniquity”? It means lawlessness. A person choosing to operate beyond the laws which God has established. The person who becomes a Christian is added to the body of Christ by that obedience (Acts 2:47). Proper teaching about Jesus should lead one to make a decision that for the rest of my life, I will serve the Lord. Those who ignore the law are never a blessing in terms of righteousness. The person who continues to go beyond the doctrine of Christ does not have God (2 John 9).
Looking at John’s statement, the idea is given to us of the person who will not abide. This person has chosen to not live under the restraints given by God. They refuse to obey God. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all those that obey Him (Heb.5:9). The foolishness of saying that we are not under law today, can be seen in the number of souls who will be lost because they accept this doctrine. If God, through the Spirit, uses the word “ought”, any reasonable person would conclude this is what God wants me to do. It is not an option if one speaks about using their life to please God.
Much as Elijah did on Mount Carmel in battling with the prophets of Baal. Before the contest started Elijah spoke to the crowd. Serve God or Baal, not both. Jesus would teach that no man can serve two masters (Matt. 6:24). When Elijah finished talking, the Bible says the audience was silent. Why did they not stand with Elijah? After the contest was over they would know that the Lord is the God. (1 Kings 18:39). So it is when men confront the word “ought” Acts 5:29). Indeed there is a time of silence. When the whole world is burning up in sin, how long can we be silent?
Our hearts are touched by the sights of all those innocent children crossing our borders. Some to be sure are not innocent. Whatever the number our compassion is aroused to care for the plight of children. Take that same eight or nine year old child and back up eight or nine years. The Supreme Court of our land said that child, in the mother’s womb, has no right to live except at the whim of the mother. We kill about 4000 a day in the womb. Let them live for eight or nine years and people find “compassion”.
When we come to the second part of what the apostles said, they made it clear, we must obey God. God defines when life begins. God defines what makes a marriage. A judge or group of judges may very well legislate and therefore we must be as the apostles, we are going to obey God. If I obey God, am I to be silent when babies in the womb are killed every day? Am I to be silent when the government stands in the place of God and defines marriage?
Brethren in the near future the idea of obeying God instead of man may become very costly to all of us. A lesson to be learned is that the apostles had made up their mind before Acts 4 and 5. So should we. Make up our minds to stand for and do that which is right before the storm comes.