John Calvin Commentary Acts 4:19

"But 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:" — Acts 4:19 (ASV)

Whether it be right. Let us remember to whom they make this answer. For this council undoubtedly represented the Church; but because they abuse their authority, the apostles say flatly that they are not to be obeyed. And (as people usually do in an evident matter) they refer the judgment to their adversaries as a reproach to them.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that they set the authority of God against their decrees; this would be inappropriate unless they were enemies of God, who, nevertheless, were otherwise the ordinary pastors of the Church. Moreover, the apostles also express a further point, namely, that the obedience people show toward evil and unfaithful pastors, even if they hold the lawful government of the Church, is contrary to God.

The Pope answers this question pleasantly, because he says that all those things are divine oracles whatever he has pleased to blunder out unadvisedly. By this means, the danger of contradiction is taken away. But the bishops can claim no more today than God had then given to the order of priests.

Therefore, this is too childish a notion, namely, that they can command nothing but what is agreeable to the commandment of God. Indeed, rather, the matter itself clearly declares that there will be no conflict then if they allow their vain and unbridled lust to roam freely, having vanquished and renounced the doctrine of Christ.

Therefore, by whatever title men may be called, we must listen to them only on this condition: if they do not lead us away from obeying God. So, we must examine all their traditions by the rule of the Word of God. We must obey princes and others who are in authority, yet in such a way that they do not rob God (who is the chief King, Father, and Lord) of his right and authority.

If we must observe such modesty in civil government, it ought to have far more force in the spiritual government of the Church. And lest, according to their customary pride, they think that their authority is diminished when God is praised above them, Peter draws them away from such pleasant self-flattery, telling them that this matter must be determined before the judgment-seat of God.

For he says plainly, before (that is, in the sight of) God; because, however men may be blinded, God will never allow any man to be preferred before him.

And surely the Spirit put this answer in the mouths of the apostles, not only so that he might repress the fury of the enemies, but also so that he might teach us what we should do whenever men become so proud that, having shaken off the yoke of God, they will lay their own yoke upon us. Therefore, let us then remember this holy authority of God, which is able to dispel the vain smoke of all human eminence.