When a United Methodist pastor is ordained, a bishop lays hands on their head and leads the congregation in asking for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon that person for the lifework they are about to pursue. The second part involves the bishop commanding the ordinand to “take the authority” of their particular office of deacon, elder, or bishop. Even in the order of the ceremony, the power of the Holy Spirit precedes the church’s or bishop’s authority and is sought first. In the Ordinal’s language we see the always moving and living Spirit being invoked, and we trust the Spirit’s ongoing outpouring on the ordained. Those who are ordained serve as conduits of the Spirit’s moving among the whole people of God as they worship, serve, give, and obey.

Sometimes the “obey” part can be tricky. I once had a crisis of conscience over performing a church member’s wedding. It had become evident to me through the pre-marital counseling that this relationship, which began online, would not be safe for my wealthy bride. I suspected that the groom was a predator. When I addressed this with her, she was quite angry with me and wanted to continue with the wedding. In the end, I told them that I could not do the wedding, obeying the strong suggestions of the Holy Spirit. She left the church in anger, only to return a year later to tell me that a private investigator had discovered that this man had married and divorced six other women he met online and had amassed half of their fortunes. My refusal to do the ceremony bought her enough time to investigate him.

When the Holy Spirit is so strong and convicting, there is truly no choice but to obey. This is what Peter and the apostles knew as they stood in front of the Jerusalem Council and defended their authority to preach in Jesus’ name. The Council attempted to intimidate them and commanded them to stop, but they chose obedience to God rather than these human authorities. It was an act of audacious boldness. We are instructed in the New Testament to submit to authority and obey our rulers, but not when doing so is a direct contradiction of God. 

Acts 5: 27-32

²⁷ The apostles were brought before the council where the high priest confronted them: ²⁸ “In no uncertain terms, we demanded that you not teach in this name. And look at you! You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching. And you are determined to hold us responsible for this man’s death.”

²⁹ Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than humans!³⁰ The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. ³¹ God has exalted Jesus to his right side as leader and savior so that he could enable Israel to change its heart and life and to find forgiveness for sins. ³² We are witnesses of such things, as is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

The Council objected to Peter and the apostle’s preaching on the basis that they had “filled Jerusalem with their teaching” (verse 28). What an amazing testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit working through their preaching!  If someone accused me of filling my whole town with my teaching, I would be flattered as heck!   

I had the “authority” to do that wedding, but I chose to obey the Holy Spirit instead. May we tune our hearts to the authority of God through the whisperings of the Holy Spirit and find the courage to obey.

Eagle’s Wings in Reflection by Kathy Schumacher