#1557 Acts 5 Part 3 Gamaliel

 

33 But when they heard this, they became furious and intended to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who were following him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all those who were following him were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I also say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or you may even be found fighting against God.”

40 So they followed his advice. And after calling the apostles in and beating them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for the Name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 5: 33-42 LSB

Acts 5: 33-42 Gamaliel

V. 33 But when they heard about this, they became furious and intended to kill them - Isn't this always the way, the same pattern from the OT as well. There is a standard here, and I have to laugh when I see men whose aim is comfort and luxury wanting to be known as prophets. They definitely want something else.

…11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. 13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.… Matthew 5: 11-13

…51You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. 52Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— 53you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”… Acts 7: 51-53

V. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel - This is who Paul studied under when he was known as Saul of Tarsus. People can be from a very orthodox sect of religion, but he is well respected, even here among those, the Sadducees, with whom he would disagree. For me it comes down to actions, and I have seen some men who hold doctrines that I disagree with, yet live lives in accordance to their words. They practice what they preach. I have known Muslims that have been kinder to me than people who called themselves Christians, but that is not righteousness that can stand the test of God. He provides one Way, One Whose righteousness is perfect and acceptable, and it is by faith in the righteousness of Christ that we are made right with God. You can like or even love someone for their work ethic, their brilliant mind, like when I read the trial of Socrates, but my heart strings and admiration are not the bar. 

A Pharisee named Gamaliel - This is interesting because the high priests were Sadducees and many if not most of the members of the Sanhedrin were Sadducees. Pharisees and Sadducees did not usually get along, but here there clearly was an exception, presumably because Gamaliel was so highly respected. It is also fascinating that here God uses a Pharisee named Gamaliel to save His apostles, whereas in Acts 9:1 (Acts 22:4) He allowed a Pharisee named Saul to slaughter the saints! And the further irony is that this same Saul was educated under this same Gamaliel! (Acts 22:3) God's ways are higher than our ways! (Isa 55:9).

The Mishnah helps us understand why Gamaliel standing and speaking would exert such persuasive power on the hard hearts of the stiff-necked Sanhedrin...

“Since Rabban Gamaliel the elder died there has been no more reverence for the law; and purity and abstinence died out at the same time.” (Sotah 9:15) - Precept Austin

7But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. 8More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.… Philippians 3: 7-9

Vs. 35-37 Theudas and Judas the Galilean - It says of Theudas that he rose up, claiming to be somebody. We are not told if this was a claim to being the Messiah, the Christ, as many have and will, but at any rate he boasted above what he was and gained a following. Thanks to the internet there are many more of these today, along the spectrum from influencer all the way up to very organized cults with both enigmatic and charismatic leaders. There is also the cult of personality, rock stars, country stars, political leaders and on and on. I think Gamaliel makes a good point because it is seriously difficult to find anything about these men, and so many who worry about their legacy end up lost in the halls of legend or forgotten all together. There is only One person to be known by, does Jesus know you? That is of eternal value. 

But he was killed - This is Gamaliel's main point. The rebellion or "movement" died because the leader Theudas (was killed - anaireo used in Acts 5:33+).

And all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing - The word followed is interesting as it is peitho which means to have confidence. The KJV renders it "as many as obeyed him." The idea of in this context is that Thuedas had caused these men to come to his point of view and course of action (imperfect tense - they kept on holding to his point of view). He must have been a very convincing leader, but regardless of his "charismatic" personality, his actions came to naught.

Vincent comments "Note the word for obeyed (ἐπείθοντο), implying the persuasive power of Theudas’ boasting."

Gamaliel's example reminds me a man named David Koresh leader of the Branch Davidians who was able to attract a number of followers many of whom were killed when he was killed in the horrible incident in Waco, Texas.

14But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. 15Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?… Matthew 7: 14-16

4Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come.… Matthew 24: 4-6

V. 38 If this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown - Well, here we are 2,000 years later, or as Amillennials  would call it, a millennia or very long time. Every major kingdom has dissipated, whether Egypt, Babylon with Nebuchadnezzar, Persia with Cyrus, or Greece with Alexander. The iron mixed with clay is where we are still at till this present day, and the final Antichrist will try to revive this, make it more unified once again, but he will be added to those that eternity will forget. There is only one Christ, that is Jesus, make sure come to terms with Him today. 

…7to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house. 8I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols. 9Behold, the former things have happened, and now I declare new things. Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”… Isaiah 42: 7-9

…23This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. 24And the ten horns are ten kings who will rise from this kingdom. After them another king, different from the earlier ones, will rise and subdue three kings. 25He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.…

…26But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27Then the sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’ 28Thus ends the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face turned pale. But I kept the matter to myself.”… Daniel 7: 23-28

V. 39 Or you may even be found fighting against God - There is some wisdom here, but why would he say this about people who he disagreed with. He is an orthodox Jew, a Pharisee, someone trying to earn a right standing before God by way of the law, adherence, piety, yet these Apostles are saying, "no, you are well read, well respected, but in reading the OT you should have seen Christ there, and this Man, Jesus, He has fulfilled so many things written about the Messiah, including being crucified, look back at Isaiah 53." Honestly, both Gamaliel and Paul would have been familiar with Jesus because He did and spoke openly. The miracles are attested to by His enemies, and really, how many run of the mill false prophets and Messiahs do you see actually healing lame, blind, and even dead people. Yeah, there is something a little different about Him and His followers are doing and saying the same things, so since men can't just perform miracles because they want to, there's a chance that you may end up fighting God. I'm going to say God hits harder than anyone or anything you know, so maybe just think about it. How sure are you?

…27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.… Matthew 10: 27-29

V. 40 After calling the Apostles in and beating them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus - Well, that oughta be the last we will see of them, but no, they keep preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus, and keep making these guys angrier and angrier till they eventually start plotting a bit harder and then licensing some, the very zealous, to kill. Yet, through all this, the church keeps growing. 

1“I have told you these things so that you will not fall away. 2They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.… John 16: 1-3

V. 41 Rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for the Name - There is no other name under heaven whereby men can be saved. They have put everything on that Name, they have bet the family farm, taken their wives, children, all their possessions, and said, "Let it ride". It's an honor to them to be mistreated for the sake of Christ, Who was mistreated for their sakes, for mine. For those of you who don't know what it like to be beaten, to be viewed as a criminal, their is a sense of shame, of seemingly letting down those close to you. These men are obeying God and this was their reward for that in this life. 

…8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.… 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10

…33Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated. 34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession. 35So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.… Hebrews 10: 33-35

V. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ - The persecution brought no change to the directive, the mission stood, and the disciples continued with the same gospel. I think we have a lot to learn today.

6I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!… Galatians 1: 6-8

…3I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ. 4For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily. 2 Corinthians 11: 3-4