Acts 4:19

Peter and John. Both the apostles now joined in expressing their determination that they would announce the word of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. It is possible that each was appealed to separately by the council to desist, and each pledged his determination to continue in spite of the admonition of the council. For a like firmness compare the experience of faithful Jews in 2 Maccabees 7:30.

Whether it be right. Here an important principle is suggested. These words introduce an assertion of the right of conscience to resist human authority when it conflicts with divine authority. The apostles’ appeal, “Judge ye,” shows that they claimed this right as axiomatic. In practice, however, a difficulty often arises in establishing whether a man who claims such divine authority really has it. In cases like the present one, where the question is one of testimony to facts, if men believe themselves commissioned of God to declare those facts, they dare not tamper with the truth, even under fear of offending men.

In a dispute with civil authority the man of religious conviction must accept the burden of proof that his convictions arise from divine authority. If he wishes his case to hold, he must convince his hearers that his convictions are sound. Peter and John knew they had the authority of the Holy Spirit, already demonstrated by miracles, and by conversions; and theirs was an abiding conviction of truth, demonstrated in their preaching and its results. In this situation they could not consent to obey man rather than God (see ch. 5:29). The apostles had a command to preach, a command from the Christ who was giving them their power. No other consideration could be valid in such a situation. See AA 68, 69.

Whenever a man faces such a choice between his honest conviction regarding God’s will for him, and the commandments of men, he can afford only to follow what he believes to be God’s will. If he attempts to serve two masters, he will succeed in satisfying neither and will sell his soul for the sake of expediency. But if he steadfastly recognizes God’s prior claim to his full allegiance, no man can call him dishonest, and his soul is safe.

Judge ye. In the face of such indubitable evidence of their innocence, the apostles boldly challenged the Jewish leaders to recognize the facts. That the Sanhedrin released Peter and John without punishing them was tacit recognition that they were guiltless.