Pam Padgett ... teacher
When the apostles were brought before the council for speaking of Jesus
after being told not to do this, their answer cut to the heart of
those in the council and they sought to slay the apostles.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We
ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up
Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with
his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to
Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these
things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that
obey him. 33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
But Gamaliel, one of the Pharisees, gave the following counsel ...
Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee,
named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the
people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35 And
said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend
to do as touching these men. 36 For before these days rose up Theudas,
boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four
hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed
him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up
Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people
after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were
dispersed. 38 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: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be
found even to fight against God. 40 And to him they agreed: and when
they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they
should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Other men, Theudus and Judas of Galilee, had had followers, but they
were of themselves, not of God. Their followers came to nothing after
they died.
But Jesus is the Son of God and did all according to the will of God. He was raised
from the dead and lives for ever. Rather than the disciples of Jesus coming to nothing as had been the
case with followers of men, the church grew and was strengthened by the power of God, each member set and functioning in the body of Christ as pleased Him. This could not be stopped, for it was of God.
1 Corinthians 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek
after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a
stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which
are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.