Gamaliel’s Counsel
Acts 5
Early on in Acts 5, Paul and the apostles were healing people in the temple. The religious folks (the Scribes and the Pharisees), hated what was gong on. So they seized the apostles and locked them up in prison. The angel of the Lord came over night and rescued them and told them to go to the temple and preach the gospel. After going back to temple, they are once again confronted by the religious crowd. The crowd then says to them, “Didn’t we charge you not to preach in Jesus name?” Peter then says, “We ought to serve God rather than men.” Peter then preaches to them and they then become enraged. This next part I found interesting. The Scribes and Pharisee’s religious hero, whom they all looked up to; was a man by the name Gamaliel. He stands up and begins to speak. What he said is what really astounded me. He basically said, “Yell better be careful what you do to these guys.” He talked about people who rose up and made an impact in many people’s lives. Gamaliel then says something profound in verses 38-39… “And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” Wow! What a statement! Apparently, this was of God and not of men because over 2000 years later this same message is still being preached. The counsel agrees o his words, they take the apostles, beat them and send them away. The response of the apostles was stunning. They went away not sad, not grieving, mourning or pouting; but went away rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer from Jesus name. They then went to the temple and from house to house every day to preach the Gospel. What boldness these men had to share the good news of Christ! This work of God is still alive and well today. Are you being obedient to it and willing to pay whatever price it may cost you to get it out? May God help us to be faithful in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ!