The apostles establish the leaders’ complete lack of authority, whose intentions go against God and deserve no allegiance. In the book of Acts, we see where the apostles have gradually built the reputation and nature of Christ’s name. They first argued the leaders were ignorant (3:17). They then emphasized Jesus’ true authority and authentication of His sovereignty through the resurrection (4:1–12). Now, they lay out the implications of their argument: the authority of the religious leaders is false. The leaders cannot judge (compare 4:19) since they are not in the position to do so; they are not even on God’s side. Once again, the apostles assert Christ’s complete authority over all institutions. Peter now pits the authority of God against the authority of the council. Friend, how would you respond to local authorities if questioned in a very authoritative, condensating and threatening way? Will your church/ministry survive based on your reaction to authorities? It takes ‘guts’, but most of all, it takes being totally sold out to God. Are you?