We must obey God rather than men
Scripture references
Acts 4:19–20 (ASV)
19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye: 20for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.
Acts 4:29–31 (ASV)
29And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, 30while thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus. 31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Acts 5:29 (ASV)
29But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
Stories
When a Christian in Rome was summoned before the Governor and ordered to stop the Christian meeting he had started, he declared boldly, "As I have a mouth to speak I shall speak for Christ...for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Zhang Rongliang, a member of the Chinese Communist Party, was arrested for attending a Christian meeting. Although he was offered freedom if he would deny Christ, he prayed and received the grace and courage to stand for Christ. In the face of inevitable suffering, he experienced the joy that comes from doing the right thing.
The natives of Arochuku not only defied great odds to become Christians, but even as spiritual infants, they stood up to their persecutors and were willing to die for the cause of Jesus Christ.
When Japanese soldiers captured Hsi-Lien, they offered to spare his life and his family's if only he'll become their ammunition carrier. But Hsi-Lien was a Christian, so blatantly, he rejected their offer. And for his refusal to aid them, he was tied to a pole outside his home, and was jeered as his wife and three kids were heinously annihilated.
Harlan Popov was given the chance to become an informant for the barracks Chief, betraying his faith in Jesus. If he agreed, he will receive better treatment. He rejected that, chose to stand for truth, and suffered more persecution.
For refusing to deny Jesus Christ, Vincent was flogged and imprisoned in the worst of places where he had to endure a very squalid living condition. But none of these was enough to break his resolve, instead he cheerfully accepted his fate and determined to continue preaching the gospel; even in prison.
