an unexpected ally

Good morning brothers and sisters,
Yesterday we saw the apostles arrested for preaching about Jesus in the temple. An angel freed them from prison and they went right back to teaching in the temple. Not surprisingly, they are arrested again and the religious leaders are angry. The defense the apostles offer is that they must obey God instead of people. That brave and stubborn approach to life is a big part of what makes the early church successful and it is a big part of what keeps the church faithful in any time of persecution. People of faith follow God, no matter who tries to tell us not to.

Basically the trouble between the counsel and the apostles comes down to this: the counsel believes that teaching in Jesus name is blasphemy because it associates Jesus too closely with God. The apostles say that Jesus is the Messiah and God raised him from the dead, showing his favor. Fortunately for the apostles, a Pharisee comes to their aid. Gamaliel's argument cuts through the divide between the counsel and the apostles. He doesn't agree with the apostles but he argues for keeping an open mind and allowing the events to show the truth. If this is just a human movement it will fade away in time, especially after Jesus has been killed. If God is behind the movement the counsel certainly doesn't want to get in the way.

May we be both open-minded and stubbornly faithful,
Sam


Acts 5:27-42

27When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. 35Then he said to them, “Fellow Israelites, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. 36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. 37After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!”

They were convinced by him, 40and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. 42And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.