Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine".... 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 40 "And when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
This passage of scripture teaches us the sobering truth that freedom of religion and freedom of speech will one day come to an end, because the teachings of God's word will be branded as hate speech, as it is already being described in many circles. In the above instance, the apostles were just carrying out their God-given mandate of delivering the good news of salvation, when they were accosted and arrested by the authorities for preaching the gospel. The reason for their arrest was because what they were preaching revealed the sins of those in authority, for their hands were stained with the blood of Christ, a fact they would fain have erased from memory. But the doctrine of disciples was not one of condemnation, but rather a call to repentance, for God would have freely forgiven them if they had confessed their sins and repented.
But instead of acknowledging where they had gone wrong, the leaders chose to silence the voice of entreaty, by limiting the apostles' freedom of speech, and thus they were beaten and thrown in jail, for preaching the gospel to all who would listen. The Bible tells us that there is nothing new under the sun, for the things which took place in ages will past always repeat themselves, and thus we can expect in the very near future, when the true gospel of the kingdom will be disseminated throughout all the world, the same opposition and consequent curtailing of freedoms will occur, for the principle of rebellion against God is a reality that will exist as log as time shall last. Let's read:
John 16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
In our day, there is growing opposition and animosity against the plain teachings of scripture, for whenever the presentation of the sacred laws and institutions of God crosses the path of the carnal heart, the tendency is to label the messengers of righteousness as being religious bigots, and their call to repentance as being hate speech, just as it was in the days of old. But Peter's answer to the authorities back then is equally applicable to true Christians living in the 21st century, for we too ought to obey God rather than men. As Christians, we should not allow ourselves to be bullied or intimidated into silence on account of advocating for truth and righteousness, for God is depending on the faithful few to carry the good news of salvation to a dying world.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to do so, even if it be at great cost, for God has promised to be with us till the end of the age, if we do not water down the truths He has given us to give to the world. Let's read:
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!