If God’s In It, Stand Back!
The person speaking these words in Acts 5 was Gamaliel, an honored Pharisee and one of the most famous teachers of the Law. Saul was one of his students (Acts 22:3).
The occasion was the apostles’ (Peter and those with him, Acts 5:29) appearance before the Sanhedrin so the high priest could question them.
In the previous days, the apostles had been healing many people, and their fame was spreading throughout the land.
The number of believers in Jesus multiplied as the apostles preached the gospel.
The Sadducees, priests who controlled the temple, were jealous of the apostles and had them arrested and put in jail.
Imagine the high priest’s and his colleagues’ surprise when they called for the apostles to be brought to them—but the apostles were nowhere in sight.
The doors of the jail remained securely locked and guards were still on watch. But amazingly, the cells were empty.
While the Sanhedrin puzzled over this development, another person came running into the room and told them that the apostles were in the temple courts teaching the people. Guards brought the apostles back to appear before the high priest.
An angel of the Lord had miraculously released the apostles from the jail the night before.
Of course, the Sanhedrin didn’t know about the angel and remained perplexed as to how the apostles escaped, only to speak as publicly as they ever had about Jesus.
The Sanhedrin were furious when the apostles spoke boldly about their activities.
Jesus’ followers were open about their continuing plans to tell the people about the Savior and were unafraid of the consequences.
They told the high priest that they must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29).
The Sanhedrin wanted to put the apostles to death, but Gamaliel warned against such action.
Gamaliel reasoned, “For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God” (Acts 5:38-39).
This famous Pharisee acknowledged God’s power, even though the apostles were teaching a doctrine that the leaders of the Jewish community had forbidden.
The Sanhedrin released the apostles after having them beaten and telling them, once more, not to speak in the name of Jesus.
Of course, the apostles ignored the command and joyfully continued to tell the people about Jesus.
Gamaliel was right: God was with these men, and no one could stop them.
Father, help us to be bold in our own witness of your truth.