What About Rebellion?

When Peter and John are commanded not to speak nor teach at all about Jesus, they are not at all hesitant about whether or not to obey such a tyrannical command. Immediately they tell the authorities they cannot obey such a law. Is this rebellion? The apostles never retaliate violently, and treat the authorities with respect as far as we can tell.

After being flogged for their disobedience, again they are not violent in return, but still insist they are to obey God rather than men. When they are released, they go to their companions and fellow saints reporting all the authorities told them and did to them. They together rejoice in what they suffered. Is there rebellion here?

God, whether He sanctions the authorities or not, has ordained them and commanded us to give due honor and obedience as much as possible. In large part, it is us Christians who have asked for them, and just as when OT Israel asked for a king, God tells us to submit to them. God can turn their hearts wherever He wishes. We must look to Him for liberty, peace, and prosperity. One day, and maybe soon, He may marvel at our faith in Him, and a great revival will ensue. Ask Him, live for Him, hear His word, love the saints, do good works, overcome evil with good, do not be weary in doing good, and see the salvation of our God.

The main message of the prophet Jeremiah relates to this; God tells His people that they will go into captivity to Babylon and they are to submit to Nebuchadnezzar in that land. What God tells His people to do in Babylon most probably applies to us and is summed up pretty well in Jeremiah 29:4-14;

'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:

'Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters - that you may be increased there, and not diminished.

'And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

'For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.

'For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the LORD. For thus says the LORD: 'After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word towards you, and cause you to return to this place.

'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

"I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.'"

Let us do likewise.

DR