A Matter of Authority

Acts 5:29-33

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.

N. T. Wright, Acts for Everyone (Part One)

Peter’s answer only serves to enrage them even more (verse 33). . . . [I]s the movement from God, or from human initiative? Shall we obey God, or shall we obey human authorities? [This] is the question which Jesus still poses, both to those outside the faith (was he from God, or was he a deluded fanatic?) and to those inside the faith (shall we compromise our allegiance to him by going along with human instructions that cut against the gospel, or shall we remain loyal even at the risk of civil disobedience?).