Message: Bold Discipleship / Acts 5:27-32

When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

One of the marks of corrupt and oppressive power is that it always tries to silence the voices that speak the truth. This is because truth awakens something deep within us, reminding us of the dignity and worth that God has given to every human being. Truth stirs our hearts and reveals that we were created in the image of God for liberty, equality, and love.

When people taste a piece of the truth, they find the courage and strength to stand against the powers that try to crush human dignity. They become like small cracks in the towering walls built by those who seek to rule through fear and violence. Even though they may seem tiny at first, they are never weak. Through it, the powerful currents of God's justice and love will pour through, eventually sweeping away the structures of lies and oppression.

In this regard, vicious dictators have often banned books. One such book is Heart of a Dog, a Russian novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, written in 1925. It tells the story of Sharik, a stray dog trying to survive the harsh streets of Moscow. One day, he is taken in by a famous doctor, Preobrazhensky, who decides to transplant human organs into Sharik, hoping to create a more advanced, better being.

However, the results are not what the doctor hoped for. Sharik becomes Sharikov, a rude, selfish, violent man. Instead of using his new life for good, Sharikov uses his bad instincts to climb into power. He joins government committees, reports on his neighbours, and becomes part of the corrupt system. Holding onto the worst traits of both a dog and a human, Sharikov rises to a position of authority within the government. Eventually, the doctor has no choice but to turn him back into a dog.

This story reveals not only the situation in Moscow at the time but also a truth about human behaviour: throughout history, it has often not been the wise, kind, or honest who lead a society or a nation, but those who act out of selfishness, driven by a hunger for power. Looking around at what is happening today, especially in the nation closest to us, we realize that Heart of a Dog is not just fiction.

Because Bulgakov spoke the truth, the Soviet government banned his book for many years. They wanted to hide what the story revealed and protect their power. However, the truth has a way of surviving. Even though the book was banned, people found ways to pass it secretly from one hand to another. Truth refuses to die. Once set free, it finds a path to endure and flourish.

Similarly, Peter and the apostles stood before the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish council, who tried to make the disciples remain silent. They commanded them not to speak about Jesus Christ. But Peter responded boldly: “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”

Imagine standing before powerful rulers who can imprison you, take away your freedom, and even take your life. That was the reality Peter and the apostles faced. They had been warned before. But they could not stay silent. The truth of the resurrection had taken root inside them. It was alive in them. They could not hide it no matter what it might cost.

This moment shows us what bold discipleship looks like. Not long before this, the disciples had been full of fear. Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times. However, after they encountered the risen Christ and were filled with the Spirit, they were transformed. They had experienced God's love so deeply that silence was no longer an option.

The disciples moved from fear to courage. They moved from hiding to standing in public. The very people who once ran away now stood before the leaders who had condemned Jesus to death. Even in this dangerous situation, they proclaimed the truth because they knew they were part of a movement of love, healing, justice, and hope that no human power could stop.

Their courage was not rooted in arrogance or rebellion. It came from faith that love is stronger than death. They knew that violence and hatred would not have the final word. The cross could not be the last. They had seen the empty tomb, met the risen Christ, and experienced the Holy Spirit. For this reason, they could embrace their fear and anxiety with courage.

For us today, the situation may look different, but the call remains the same. Bold discipleship means listening to the voice of the Spirit and stepping forward with courage. Bold discipleship means choosing to love fiercely in a world that often chooses hate. Bold discipleship means standing up against injustice even when it would be easier to remain silent. Bold discipleship means trusting that although the forces of the world seem overwhelming, the Spirit of love is stronger still.

In his book Being Disciples, Rowan Williams, an Anglican bishop and theologian, wrote, “Christian discipleship means living out the vision of relationships in the Body of Christ without being afraid of conflict with the rest of society, because sometimes the living out of these relationships can be unpopular with society.” In other words, following Jesus Christ does not always make life easy. Sometimes it puts us at odds with the values of the world around us.

Bold discipleship does not require us to be perfect. The apostles were not perfect; they had failed before. What matters is that their courage did not come from their own strength; it was born from the forgiveness and grace of God. The courage we are called to live out is not about being free from worry or concern. It is about stepping forward, not because we are strong, but because God is strong within us.

We are not called to do it alone. Just as the apostles stood together, we are called to be a community that lifts each other up, prays for one another, stands side by side, and carries others when the journey is hard. We are companions in courage, reminding everyone - "We are not alone. We live in God's world."

“We must obey God rather than any human authority.” This is not a call for blind obedience to religion. It does not mean that the church or its leaders should be followed without question or doubt. Instead, it points to the truth that we are called to discern God's will, which leads us to hope, peace, joy, and love. There is no spiritual hierarchy in our faith community. We are all called to be disciples, each with different gifts and talents, yet all part of one body in Christ.

The resurrection is not the end; it is the beginning. Let us trust that the same Spirit who filled the apostles in the early church is alive in us today. May we all live as bold disciples who speak the truth, seek justice, make peace, and choose life.

Thanks be to God. Amen.