The Faith Defender
'But a Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up. He was a highly respected
expert in Moses’ Teachings. He ordered that the apostles should be taken
outside for a little while.
Then he said to the council, “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you do with these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared. He claimed that he was important, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were scattered. The whole movement was a failure.
“After that man, at the time of the census, Judas from Galilee appeared and led people in a revolt. He, too, died, and all his followers were scattered.
“We should keep away from these men for now. We should leave them alone. I can guarantee that if the plan they put into action is of human origin, it will fail. However, if it’s from God, you won’t be able to stop them. You may even discover that you’re fighting against God.”
The council took his advice. They called the apostles, beat them, ordered them not to speak about the one named Jesus, and let them go.
The apostles left the council room. They were happy to have been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for speaking about Jesus. Every day in the temple courtyard and from house to house, they refused to stop teaching and telling the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah.' Acts 5:34-42 (GW)
Consider Gamaliel, the faith defender; wise, famous expert of the day, well read, well respected, teacher of Paul, Pharisee, defender of the Law, first century Jewish rabbi and member of the Sanhedrin. In this case, mentioned in Acts 5, he was a lenient judge and defender of John and Peter.
Consider the facts regarding their faith. During this hearing Peter spoke up and his words could have led to his death if not for Gamaliel. He instructed that John and Peter be taken out, to cool things down for a bit. He proceeded to present the facts as he saw them before the council in a way that convinced the others that this particular matter should be closed. Then he said this,'If it's from God, you won't be able to stop them. You may even discover that you're fighting against God.'
Consider the Gamaliel Principle defense as a helpful way to view the things that might disturb us today in the world, the government and even in the church. Through Gamaliel's reasoning he knew that God would never abandon those to which He had revealed Himself to. Though His believers suffer many things, God always uses the evil to bring about the good and never allows the false-prophets to win in the end. He guides His sheep in ways eternal and incorruptible and thus we can know them by their fruit and those that endure which are of God. For His sheep, He is our defender.
Consider John and Peter, the faith defenders. They took a beating for their faith, yet were happy to have been considered worthy to suffer for speaking about Jesus. They were ordered to never use the name of Jesus again and immediately went forth from house to house telling the Good News! The Principle is true. Consider how God changes people and situations where ever He moves. In every situation He remains faithful to perform His Good Works. In every nation that places Him first He blesses His people. In every heart where He is allowed to place His throne, that home becomes blessed in knowing Him. Time and history proves it then beyond a shadow of a doubt, 'If it's from God, you won't be able to stop them.' When men take offense just at the mention of His name, 'You may even discover that you're fighting against God'. For people throughout the ages, when we share the Good News of Jesus the Messiah we become His faith defenders.
Then he said to the council, “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you do with these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared. He claimed that he was important, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were scattered. The whole movement was a failure.
“After that man, at the time of the census, Judas from Galilee appeared and led people in a revolt. He, too, died, and all his followers were scattered.
“We should keep away from these men for now. We should leave them alone. I can guarantee that if the plan they put into action is of human origin, it will fail. However, if it’s from God, you won’t be able to stop them. You may even discover that you’re fighting against God.”
The council took his advice. They called the apostles, beat them, ordered them not to speak about the one named Jesus, and let them go.
The apostles left the council room. They were happy to have been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for speaking about Jesus. Every day in the temple courtyard and from house to house, they refused to stop teaching and telling the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah.' Acts 5:34-42 (GW)
Consider Gamaliel, the faith defender; wise, famous expert of the day, well read, well respected, teacher of Paul, Pharisee, defender of the Law, first century Jewish rabbi and member of the Sanhedrin. In this case, mentioned in Acts 5, he was a lenient judge and defender of John and Peter.
Consider the facts regarding their faith. During this hearing Peter spoke up and his words could have led to his death if not for Gamaliel. He instructed that John and Peter be taken out, to cool things down for a bit. He proceeded to present the facts as he saw them before the council in a way that convinced the others that this particular matter should be closed. Then he said this,'If it's from God, you won't be able to stop them. You may even discover that you're fighting against God.'
Consider the Gamaliel Principle defense as a helpful way to view the things that might disturb us today in the world, the government and even in the church. Through Gamaliel's reasoning he knew that God would never abandon those to which He had revealed Himself to. Though His believers suffer many things, God always uses the evil to bring about the good and never allows the false-prophets to win in the end. He guides His sheep in ways eternal and incorruptible and thus we can know them by their fruit and those that endure which are of God. For His sheep, He is our defender.
Consider John and Peter, the faith defenders. They took a beating for their faith, yet were happy to have been considered worthy to suffer for speaking about Jesus. They were ordered to never use the name of Jesus again and immediately went forth from house to house telling the Good News! The Principle is true. Consider how God changes people and situations where ever He moves. In every situation He remains faithful to perform His Good Works. In every nation that places Him first He blesses His people. In every heart where He is allowed to place His throne, that home becomes blessed in knowing Him. Time and history proves it then beyond a shadow of a doubt, 'If it's from God, you won't be able to stop them.' When men take offense just at the mention of His name, 'You may even discover that you're fighting against God'. For people throughout the ages, when we share the Good News of Jesus the Messiah we become His faith defenders.
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