26 Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without e violence (for they were afraid of the people , that they might be stoned ). 27 When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council . The high priest questioned them, 28 saying , "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name , and yet , you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." 29 But Peter and the apostles answered , " We must obey God rather than men . 30 " The God of our fathers raised up Jesus , whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross . 31 " He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior , to grant repentance to Israel , and forgiveness of sins . 32 "And we are witnesses of these things ; and so is the Holy Spirit , whom God has given to those who obey Him." 33 But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 5:26-33
Commentary on Acts 5:26-33
(Read Acts 5:26-33)
Many will do an evil thing with daring, yet cannot bear to hear of it afterward, or to have it charged upon them. We cannot expect to be redeemed and healed by Christ, unless we give up ourselves to be ruled by him. Faith takes the Saviour in all his offices, who came, not to save us in our sins, but to save us from our sins. Had Christ been exalted to give dominion to Israel, the chief priests would have welcomed him. But repentance and remission of sins are blessings they neither valued nor saw their need of; therefore they, by no means, admitted his doctrine. Wherever repentance is wrought, remission is granted without fail. None are freed from the guilt and punishment of sin, but those who are freed from the power and dominion of sin; who are turned from it, and turned against it. Christ gives repentance, by his Spirit working with the word, to awaken the conscience, to work sorrow for sin, and an effectual change in the heart and life. The giving of the Holy Ghost, is plain evidence that it is the will of God that Christ should be obeyed. And He will surely destroy those who will not have Him to reign over them.