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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_5:27-32
27When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, "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." 29But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."
Act_5:28
NASB, NRSV,
TEV "strict orders"
NKJV "strictly command"
NJB "strong warning"
The NKJV has "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name," which is a Greek manuscript variant found in the Greek texts à i2, D, and E, but not in MSS P74, à *, A, or B. The UBS4 puts the NKJV option in the text, but "not" in brackets. This question expects a "yes" answer. The Apostles were warned!
The construction is a Semitic idiom (cf. Luk_22:15) similar to the cognate accusative in Koine Greek, where the verb (parangellô) and the direct object (parangelia) are from the same root. This construction intensifies the basic meaning of the terms. It is interesting that this term in the Koine papyri found in Egypt meant an official summons to court or an order from a court (cf. Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament, p. 481).
▣ "this man's" This expression shows the contempt of the Jewish leaders. They never mention Jesus' name. The Talmud even calls Him "so and so" (cf. M. R. Vincent, Word Studies, vol. 1, p. 234).
▣ "blood upon us" Peter and John were continuing to assert that these Jewish leaders engineered Jesus' death (cf. Act_5:30; Act_2:33; Act_3:14-15; Act_4:10). This was also Stephen's accusation in Act_7:52.
Act_5:29 "must" This word dei means moral necessity. This shows the Apostles' obligation to preach the truth, regardless of the consequences (cf. Act_4:19). See full note at Act_1:16.
Act_5:30 "The God of our fathers" These early Christians believed they were the true spiritual heirs and descendants of the OT people of God (cf. Act_3:13; Rom_2:28-29; Gal_6:16; 1Pe_3:5; 1Pe_3:9; Rev_1:6).
▣ "raised up Jesus" The NT affirms that the Father raised Jesus (cf. Act_2:24; Act_2:32; Act_3:15; Act_3:26; Act_4:10; Act_5:30; Act_10:40; Act_13:30; Act_13:33-34; Act_13:37; Act_17:31; Rom_6:4; Rom_6:9) to confirm the truth of Jesus' life and teachings. This is a major aspect of the Kerygma (cf. 1 Corinthians 15).
It should also be noted that the NT affirms that the Son and the Spirit were also involved in this great affirmation event.
1. the Son – Joh_2:19-22; Joh_10:17-18
2. the Spirit – Rom_8:11
▣ "whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross" This relates back to the curse of Deu_21:23. These religious leaders wanted Jesus, a Messianic pretender, to bear the curse of YHWH. Jesus bore the curse of the OT law (i.e., the soul that sins will surely die [cf. Eze_18:4; Eze_18:20] and all humans have sinned, cf. Rom_3:9-18; Rom_3:23) for us (cf. Gal_3:13; Col_1:14). Jesus was the innocent lamb of God who gave Himself for the estranged world (cf. Joh_1:29; 2Co_5:21).
Act_5:31 "God exalted to His right hand" The term "exalted" is translated in Joh_3:14 as "lifted up" and in Php_2:9 as "highly exalted." The cross was Christ's means of exaltation and triumph (cf. Col_1:15; 2Co_2:14).
The anthropomorphic phrase "right hand" was a metaphor for the place of power and authority (cf. Mat_26:64). God is an eternal Spirit. He does not have a physical body. See Special Topic at Act_2:33.
▣ "Prince" This verse clearly and specifically asserts the Messiahship of Jesus. This same term was used of Jesus in Act_3:15, where it could be translated "Author" (NRSV). It can mean "chief," "pioneer," or "prince." It was also used of the founder of a school or family (cf. Heb_2:10; Heb_12:2). See Special Topic at Act_3:15.
▣ "Savior" This term was used in the first century Greco-Roman world of Caesar. He claimed to be the savior of culture and peace. Another term which the Caesars claimed for themselves, but Christians used uniquely for Jesus, was Lord (kurios).
This term "Savior" was used in the OT as a term for YHWH (cf. 2Sa_22:3; Psa_106:21; Isa_43:4; Isa_43:11; Isa_45:15; Isa_45:21; Isa_49:26; Isa_60:16; Isa_63:8). NT writers often assert the deity of Jesus by attributing to Him OT titles of YHWH. Notice how Paul in his letter to Titus does this.
1. Tit_1:3, "God our Savior"
2. Tit_1:4, "Christ Jesus our Savior"
3. Tit_2:10, "God our Savior"
4. Tit_2:13, "our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus"
5. Tit_3:4, "God our Savior"
6. Tit_3:6, "Jesus Christ our Savior"
▣ "to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins" This shows the purpose of Jesus' death (cf. Luk_24:47 and Act_2:38). It is unusual for NT authors to refer to repentance as a gift from God (cf. Act_11:18 [to Gentiles]; 2Ti_2:25; and possibly also Rom_2:4). Usually it is one of the requirements of the New Covenant for the human recipient of the gospel (cf. Mar_1:15 and Act_3:16; Act_3:19; Act_20:21). I think it is a literary way to show that God wants all humans made in His image to be saved. It is not an issue related to God's sovereignty.
Often those who focus solely on God's part in the New Covenant use this verse to prove that salvation is all of God and does not involve any participation on the part of mankind. However, this is a good example of proof-texting a passage to fit one's preconceived system of theology. The Bible clearly asserts the priority and necessity of God's initiation, but also reveals that the concept of "covenant" best describes His chosen model of how to relate to needy humanity. Freedom is a gift which God gave in creation. God does not violate this gift/responsibility (cf. Rom_2:4; 2Co_7:10). He does draw us, woo us, work with us, and provide a way of redemption (cf. Joh_6:44; Joh_6:65). But fallen humans must respond and continue to respond in repentance, faith, obedience, and perseverance.
Here is an interesting quote from Frank Stagg, New Testament Theology, p. 119:
"Men cannot achieve but only receive repentance, yet they must receive it. By faith a man receives Christ into his innermost person; and Christ, as a transforming presence reverses the course of that life from self-trust to trust in God, from self-assertion to self-denial. This conversion is the reversal of the Fall, in which man sought to find the whole meaning of his existence within himself."
Act_5:32 Several times in Acts Peter referred to the fact that the Apostles and disciples are witnesses of Jesus' life and death and resurrection. In this context he adds, "the Holy Spirit" as witness. This may be a way of affirming the two necessary OT witnesses to confirm a matter (cf. Num_35:30; Deu_17:6).
Luke/Acts speak of the gift of the Spirit
1. at baptism – Act_2:38
2. at obedience to the gospel – Act_5:32
3. cannot be bought – Act_8:19-20
4. to the Gentiles – Act_10:45; Act_11:17
5. from the Father – Luk_11:13 (cf. Jas_1:17)
▣ "those who obey Him" Obedience is a lifestyle choice! We must obey by believing the gospel. We must continue in obedience to enjoy its fruits (cf. Mat_7:24-27; Luk_6:46-48). The rare term "obey" (peithomai plus archç, cf. Act_27:21; Tit_3:1), used in Act_5:29; Act_5:32, was a combination of the terms "ruler" (archç) and obey.