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Volume 21 Number 9 September 2019	Page 13

Preach Because God Is
the Greatest Authority

Gary C. Hampton

The Sadducees were jealous of the apostles because the people regarded them highly and large numbers were being added to the church. The apostles had continued to preach in Jesus’ name despite an earlier warning, so they were seized and placed in common prison. God sent a messenger to release them, again proving to be more powerful than any earthly authority. The messenger commanded them to go to the Temple and preach the words that give eternal life.

The high priest called for the council to assemble and sent for the apostles. The officers came back, reporting the jail was secure but the apostles were missing. Someone came to tell them they were in the Temple teaching the people (Acts 5:17-25).

The captain and his officers brought the apostles back to the council, but without violence because they feared the people. The high priest asked why they continued to preach in Jesus’ name, which they had been strictly told not to do. The council was particularly concerned that the apostles were portraying them as responsible for the death of the innocent, despite the fact that they had earlier been willing to have that very blood on their hands (Acts 5:26-28; Matthew 27:25).

Peter and the other apostles answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” The implication, even for Christians today, is that no law should be considered greater than God’s law. The limits of the authority of the Sadducees had already been demonstrated by the Almighty in the resurrection of Jesus, the one they had crucified. The apostles declared that God had at that very time seated Jesus on His throne in Heaven as Ruler and Savior. The Lord had been empowered by His Father to give repentance leading to the forgiveness of sins to all of Israel. The twelve stood as witnesses of God working, and the Holy Spirit confirmed the truthfulness of the events they related through the miracles He enabled them to perform (Acts 5:29-32).

The message for us is plain. The proclamation of the death, burial and resurrection of the Savior is too important to be held in check by inferior earthly authorities. We must preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Dear Gospel Gazette Family

Herb Carnagey

Thank you very much for sending the Gospel Gazette monthly. It is a prized resource with a variety of spiritual uses. Here is how I use Gospel Gazette.

• I use the archives as a resource tool because it touches on a variety of topics and is a rich reservoir for right thinking.
• I use the articles that are 4 to 6 major points in a Scripture, Song, Prayer format for a Sunday evening (once a month) group participation.
• I use it to see what others are saying about familiar, unfamiliar and newly arisen topics to enhance my awareness base.
• I use it for pleasure in reading about topics that appeal to me at the moment. (I look forward to what will come.)
• I use it to see who is writing and what they are writing about. I might want to check out other works the authors have written.
• I use it because it has long and short articles. I like to read the short ones for a “quick burst of what’s what” and the longer ones for “meaty thinking.”
• I use it because I have grown to appreciate the biblical integrity of the “Rushmore presentation and editing.”
• I use it because I like a resource that I can recommend to others for spiritual information (encouragement, considerations, exhortations).
• I use it because some great illustrations can be found that help to enhance understanding and presentation of the Word of God.
• I use it for ideas in sermon or class topics (in whole or in part).
• I use it because “some of my best thinking comes from other people.”
• I use it because I like to “milk lots of cows” and “churn my own butter.”

Thank you again, very much.

[Editor's Note: We are humbled by the laud above and extremely pleased that our efforts and expense prove so useful, not only to brother Carnagey but also, we hope, to countless other Christians and non-Christians, too. Such is our purpose and committment for making Gospel Gazette available for over 20 years. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]