Acts 5:38-39

[Gamaliel said] “My advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

The success of Peter and John’s healing and preaching ministry was deeply irritating to the Jewish authorities. They were anxious to silence them but nothing seemed to be working. They tried imprisoning them but the apostles miraculously managed to escape and carry on their preaching ministry in the Temple. So, once again, they were hauled before the Jewish leaders who became so furious that many of them wanted to put Peter and John to death.

Gamaliel, as one of the most prominent rabbis of the time, was greatly respected by everyone. He was so revered that he held the title ‘rabban’, which literally means ‘our teacher’, to distinguish him from the other, ordinary rabbis. Gamaliel suggested that it would not be wise to take action against the apostles. If the new movement was not of God, it would fizzle out anyway, he argued. The decision was made to flog the apostles instead and let them go.

Rabban Gamaliel, the wise Pharisee, was right. It is impossible to stop God. Last century there were many organised attempts to banish Christianity, particularly under communism. The Church in China was placed under massive pressure. During the Cultural Revolution (1966 to 1976) thousands of Christians were imprisoned and subjected to humiliation. But the Church was merely driven underground and, since that time, it has grown enormously. It’s impossible to know how many Christians there are in China today but it is estimated to be about 100 million! When God is at work it is impossible to stop him, however hard people try.

Question

In what way do Gamaliel’s words encourage you?

Prayer

I praise you loving God that, ultimately, no one can stand in the way of your plans. Amen