Gamaliel Advises the Council

MEMORY VERSE: “I know that Thou canst do everything, and that no thought of Thine can be hindered.” —Job 42:2, margin

ACTS 5:27-39

THE apostles did not heed the warning of Israel’s religious leaders to cease preaching the resurrected Christ. Whereupon, the chief priest and his underlings—many of whom were Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead—attempted to make good their threats against these faithful witnesses of Jesus. The apostles were again thrown into prison, but during the night an angel of the Lord released them, and when they were sent for the next morning to appear before the council, they were not there, and for a time could not be found.

“Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple.” (vs. 25) The apostles were quickly apprehended and without violence brought before the council—probably the sanhedrin. The high priest addressed them, saying, “Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” (vs. 28) What a wonderful testimony to the apostles’ faithfulness in bearing witness to the truth!

The apostles’ reply to the high priest was in itself a witness for Jesus, and it was heard by the entire council. We quote: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”—vss. 29-32

This was more than the prejudiced religious rulers of Israel could stand. “They were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.” This has been the way of the world throughout the centuries. As a rule, those who have faithfully proclaimed the message of God’s truth have been despised and hated. The darkness has hated the light, and the lightbearers have been persecuted—frequently imprisoned and slain. In some parts of the world this is still true, although in many countries the spirit of liberty and tolerance prevails to considerable extent.

There was one in the sanhedrin who had a different view from the majority. This was Gamaliel. He was a Pharisee and a doctor of the law, and he was held in high esteem among the people. He commanded that the apostles be separated from the council, apparently so that he could address his fellow members more privately. Then he said, “Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.”

After reminding the sanhedrin of certain ones in the past who had attempted to get a following in Israel, Gamaliel continued, “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.”

This was a good argument, and strangely enough the council gave heed to it. We do not know, of course, but it may be that Gamaliel was more impressed by the “doctrine” of the apostles than he was at that time ready to admit, and was willing to do what he could to save the lives of these first witnesses for Jesus.

The spirit of hatred still prevailed in the council, however, for while they agreed to release the apostles, they could not let them go without beating them first, and giving them another warning not to speak in the name of Jesus. We read that the apostles left the council “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”—vs. 41

Our memory verse reminds us of a great truth, which is that nothing can interfere with the plans and purposes of God. Through the Prophet Isaiah the Lord said: “As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”—Isa. 55:10,11

God did not send out his Word at the beginning of the age to convert the world, but to call and develop a people to be associated with Jesus in his thousand-year kingdom. This work continues to go forward successfully.

QUESTIONS

Relate the circumstances leading up to today’s lesson.

How did the apostles reply to the high priest’s complaint that they had not ceased preaching the Gospel as ordered?

Who was Gamaliel, and what advice did he give to the sanhedrin?

Has God been trying to convert the world during the Gospel Age?

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