Peter said, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.” We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.


Acts 5:29-32


Peter stands up to the Sanhedrin and tells him that the apostles must obey God rather than men. They have been witnesses to what God has done and they must keep sharing what they have seen. The holy Spirit and his power also bear witness that Jesus rose from the dead. Then Peter notes that the holy Spirit is given to those who obey God.


The apostles received the Spirit because they obeyed in a very simple way: Jesus told them to wait to receive the holy Spirit. Our obedience to God can begin in small ways. When we feel God’s spirit pushing us to do a small good deed or just to slow down and pay attention to someone or just to be still, we are inviting more of God’s Spirit into our lives.


Take a moment to just be still. Pray for the grace to move with the holy Spirit in small ways today.