Day 997: If it is of God - Acts 5 vs 33 - 42

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34-38 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honour by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, 39 for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”

40-42 So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Acts 5:33-42 (English Standard Version)

Having been brought before high priest and senate of the people of Israel, and severely warned not to preach about Jesus, Peter and the apostles had answered: “We must obey God rather than men.” This enraged the leaders even further, and vs 33 says they wanted to kill them. Years later, the apostle Paul told Christians at Ephesus that believers are in a spiritual warfare against Satanic powers in heavenly realms. So we mustn't lose sight of Satan's attempt here to snuff out the gospel before it could spread further. Satan's rage is directed against “those who keep God’s commands, and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” (Revelation 12:17) What was it that kept Satan from accomplishing his purposes that day? (vs 34-38)

God used one of the hostile band's own people, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, to bring calmness into the turbulent situation. He gave sensible and wise advice that kept the others back from attacking Peter and John, and then he made a statement (in vs 39) that has been true through the ages, and will be so even till Jesus returns. If an undertaking is of man, it will most likely fail. But if it is of God, then even Satan will not be able to overthrow it.

As a Pharisee, Gamaliel probably knew well the words of Psalm 127 vs 1 which say: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” What he probably didn't know, though, was that when Jesus was in the world He said to Peter “I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Christians today can take encouragement from the events of that day. Firstly, from the fact that history testifies that the congregation of people who are being saved is still alive in the world, and growing. It wasn't a venture of man, or it would've passed out of history ages ago. Secondly, take courage from the fact that the Church, despite fierce persecution in many places and at many times through the centuries, has not been overthrown! The gates of hell have not prevailed! Thirdly, take heart from how the apostles responded that day. (vs 40-42)

Luke, the writer of Acts, tells us that they were beaten and threatened again to not go on speaking about Jesus. That beating would not have been a light matter. Their law permitted someone to be flogged up to 40 times. But, rather than being filled with rage and a desire for revenge, Jesus' disciples that day “rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the Name!” They knew that Jesus had suffered even more on the cross for their sake, so they were willing to suffer for their Saviour, even to consider it a privilege, and to rejoice. Does that sound crazy? In the eyes of the world probably yes. But not to those who believe that Jesus suffered for our sake, in bringing us into God's love. No wonder then that every day thereafter, “in the temple and from house to house - the disciples did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” They knew that their cause was of God.