John Calvin Commentary Acts 5:29

"But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men." — Acts 5:29 (ASV)

This is the sum of their answer: It is lawful for them, indeed, they ought to prefer God over men. God commands us to bear witness of Christ; therefore, it is useless for you to command us to keep silence. But I have declared before in the third chapter, when this principle applies, that we ought rather to obey God than men.

God sets men over us with power in such a way that He still keeps His own authority safe and sound. Therefore, we must obey rulers only to the extent that the commandment of God is not broken. When power and authority are lawfully used, then it is inappropriate to make a comparison between God and man.

If a faithful pastor commands or forbids from the Word of God, stubborn men will object in vain that we ought to obey God; for God will be heard through man. Indeed, man is nothing but an instrument of God. If a magistrate does his duty as he should, a man will say in vain that he is contrary to God, since he is not in opposition at all; indeed, the opposite rule then applies.

We must obey God’s ministers and officers if we are to obey Him. But as soon as rulers lead us away from the obedience of God, because they strive against God with sacrilegious boldness, their pride must be diminished, so that God may be supreme in authority. Then all smokes of honor vanish away.

For God does not bestow honorable titles upon men so that they might darken His glory.

Therefore, if a father, not being content with his own position, attempts to take from God the chief honor of a father, he is nothing more than a man. If a king, or ruler, or magistrate, becomes so arrogant that he diminishes the honor and authority of God, he is only a man. We must also think this way of pastors.

For he who goes beyond his bounds in his office (because he sets himself against God) must be stripped of his honor, lest he deceive under a pretext or disguise.

The office of a pastor is very excellent, and the authority of the Church is great, provided that no part of God’s power and Christ’s mastership is diminished.

From this we may easily gather that the pride of the Pope is ridiculous, who, when he treads underfoot the whole kingdom of Christ and sets himself openly against God, will nevertheless hide under the name of Christ.