Would There Be Enough Evidence To Convict You?
Acts 5:33-42
33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God." 40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
In summary of our last study we saw the need for a higher priest in Israel, because the unscriptural high priest of Israel was abusing his authority in silencing and jailing the apostles of Jesus Christ. There was no law in Israel against free speech; therefore, they had to be very careful in how they dealt with the apostles. They reminded them of their original threats and put them back in prison, but an angel of the Lord released them and told them to go back into the temple and speak on behalf of the Lord. The council got wind of it and had them brought back in to be questioned. The apostles gave their defense with boldness knowing the Lord was with them in the miraculous prison break early that morning.
When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.
Once Peter was finished defending his right to proclaim Christ as Lord of all and Savior, the chief priests were convicted of murdering Jesus who they considered a blasphemer, but Peter with the whole church was claiming to be witnesses to the murder. In other words, God the Holy Spirit was witness to their crime. Having understood clearly they were infuriated and began to plot to kill the apostles.
Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.
Gamaliel being a highly respected teacher of the law probably wanted to follow procedures, as any strict Pharisee would, before they just plot to murder the apostles without proper cause. Gamaliel is an interesting character. His name means recompensed of God, or rewarded in God, even a beneficiary of God. Tradition teaches that he lived up to his name. He was the son of Rabbi Simeon, and the grandson of a famous rabbi named Hillel. He was a Pharisee who was in opposition of the Sadducees; therefore, his motive may have not been entirely pure. He may have just interceded to gain more prominence for himself to take over the majority of power in the Sanhedrin, for at that time the Sadducees held the majority of power. You know how politics works, every man for own prestige. He was very well respected for the “rewards” he earned in the studies of the Pentateuch. Tradition teaches that he became the high priest during the reigns of Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius. It is also said that he died close to eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem. The apostle Paul, who was Saul before his conversion to Christ, was a disciple of Gamaliel and Paul despised not his studies under him (Acts 22:3).
And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.
Again, it is unclear to me what Gamaliel’s true motives were, whether it be to show mercy to the apostles, or that he desired more “benefits” from serving on the council. Either way he questions the council’s intent to murder the apostles as they did Christ. Peter obviously pricked a nerve as the council was cut to the heart and angered by the accusations of murdering Jesus. The phrase “take head to yourselves” shows that the council was not working for the interests of God’s people Israel or for the interests of God. One, because they refused to listen to Christ or his apostles; and second, because they believed the people existed to serve them being the high priests of the land.
For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.
Gamaliel aims to point out a previous insurrection about a man named Theudas who was some kind of magician according to historical records. Other than that there is little known about him than what we see in this text. Gamaliel points out that this rebellion quickly came to nothing.
After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.
Not much is said of this man, Judas, other than Josephus confirms the historicity of the account. Again, Gamaliel points out that this rebellion quickly came to nothing. It appears to me that Gamaliel has a photographic memory. I envy this “beneficiary of God”, because I had to work twice as hard to look up all this stuff about these guys. ;-D
And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; . . .
Gamaliel petitions the council to ignore the apostles. There may be some of the opinion that Gamaliel was supporting the apostles, and that may be true, but it is my opinion that Gamaliel had little confidence or faith in the apostles’ work to worry himself about a little group of peasant fishermen from Galilee.
. . . but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God."
If the miracles of Christ were not enough to change the course of this apostate council, the miracles of the apostles would not either. Gamaliel didn’t believe that these miracles testified of God; or he too, would have left all his prestige for the work of Christ. But Gamaliel did use some practical wisdom to prevent the death of the apostles and maybe even a rebellion of the people. Again, maybe Gamaliel was out for a more gracious and merciful reputation with the people of Israel, but I don’t believe he could have fooled the people of God. One cannot remain in such a corrupt council with a clear conscience partaking of its evil for most of their life if they were truly serving God from the heart. His popularity would not have been so well respected if his motives were pure.
And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
This text shows the corruption of the council and of Gamaliel. After Gamaliel gets the council to agree with him, they beat the apostles and further bully them into silencing the name of Christ. Apparently, Gamaliel had “no problem” with torturing the apostles for free speech. It reminds me of Dick Cheney making the remarks that he has “no problem” with torturing the innocent until proven guilty and that he would do it again "in a heartbeat." If I recall, Mr. Dick has heart problems, and I hope the Lord doesn’t grip his heart again with that kind of attitude about human rights. At least John McCain, who was a prisoner of war, has the courage to respect the enemy. I hope Mr. Dick soon comes to the conclusion that you don’t want to make enemies with God, because He has Mr. Dick’s heart in palm of His Almighty hand and can clench a fist faster than Mr. Dick can steal some fresh air. Nevertheless, Gamaliel’s goal was for peace in Israel and for that we commend him regardless of his motives.
So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
What is greater about this, is that the apostles came away from being beaten unjustly without public trial or defense, giving God honor and thanksgiving. They didn’t go crying to momma and start a civil union as public activists against a corrupt government. NO! They stared the devil in the face and called his family out on their sin and were willing to suffer for it. The apostles came away rejoicing and praising God to suffer for His name. They weren’t rejoicing because they got one up on Uncle Jacob, but because Christ was honored and glorified in the midst of evil. All this did was draw the people of God closer together and burn hotter for the glory of their King. Again, we know that the Sanhedrin put them in the public stocks to suffer open shame as this text clearly points out. But it was not shame to the apostles because Christ’s name was being made known.
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Daily in the temple the apostles continued to teach and preach Christ. The public stocks, the beatings, and all the threatenings did not put out the fire in the heart of this body of Christ to operate publically in the temple and “privately” in each other’s houses. The apostles did not cease to pray and share the good news with each other or with strangers (1Thess.5:17). They did this without fear or shame. What a demonstration of the Gospel’s power and authority. This should cause us to be bolder for our Lord in our culture and generation. We will not be beaten, nor will we be put in jail; as of yet, but we will in the future if we choose to hide our light under the bed in fear of what man can do to us? (Heb.13:6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" ; Matt.10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.; Lk.8:16 "No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.) Do you fear the Lord? (Lk.23:40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?) Will you be ready for His return when He comes back for your life looking for the interest on your salvation? (Matt.25:27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.) Will you be found to have been fruitful? (Matt.7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.; 21:19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again." Immediately the fig tree withered away. , 43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. ) Will He say to you well done? (Matt.25:21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' ) Will you be found making His name great or like Gamaliel only making a name for yourself?
