#103 “Great Intercessors of the Bible”

Gamaliel – Intercedes for Disciples

(God is my reward/recompense) Pt3

 " But then again, if God is in this, you won’t be able to stop it—

unless, of course, you’re ready to fight against God!."

(Acts 5:13)

The Voice (VOICE)

Many churches today boast of having a prison ministry however, the earlier church has one up on them because they had the first ever prison ministry in the book of Acts. Peter and the disciples were imprisoned for preaching in the town square. “The church’s renown was so great that when Peter walked down the street, people would carry out their sick relatives hoping his shadow would fall on some of them as he passed. Even people from towns surrounding Jerusalem would come, bringing others who were sick or tormented by unclean spirits, all of whom were cured.”(Acts 515-18)

The only trouble with being the one who knows everything about religious law is that one can easily set themselves up as being the only one who right from wrong concerning the Law. All this power and authority tends to go to the heads of some and they refuse to relinquish this authority to anyone. “Of course, this popularity elicited a response: the high priest and his affiliates in the Sadducean party were jealous, so they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.”

However it wasn’t for very long; because, God wanted this message along with His servants out; so He sent an angel to free them. “Go to the temple, and stand up to tell the people the whole message about this way of life from Jesus. At dawn they did as they were told; they returned to their teaching in the temple.” By whatever means necessary the Lord will make a way for the gospel to be heard!

Once they had been give their freedom and new instruction, to go stand in the Temple and tell everyone the gospel message, the apostles straight to the Temple. So before the Jewish council was even awake the Apostles were up and preaching the Gospel again in the temple courtyard. “At dawn they did as they were told; they returned to their teaching in the temple. Meanwhile the council of Jewish elders was gathering—convened by the high priest and his colleagues. They sent the temple police to the prison to have the Lord’s emissaries brought for further examination; but of course, the temple police soon realized they weren’t there.  

They returned and reported, the prison was secure and locked, and the guards were standing in front of the doors; but when we unlocked the doors, the cell was empty. The captain of the temple police and the senior priests were completely mystified when they heard this. They had no idea what had happened. Just then, someone arrived with this news: You know those men you put in prison last night? Well, they’re free. At this moment, they’re at it again, teaching our people in the temple! (Acts 5:21-25) Notice what the police reported back to the High priest, “…they are at it again, teaching “our” people in the temple!” now all of a sudden the people belong to them and not the Lord.

This made the council furious so they sent the guards to go and bring the Apostles to them again; which they did with care as not to upset the crowd because they believed their witness. “Once again the men stood before the council. The high priest began the questioning. Didn’t we give you strict orders to stop teaching in this name? But here you are, spreading your teaching throughout Jerusalem. And you are determined to blame us for this man’s death.” (Acts 5:27-28) Still not willing to accept the blame for crucifying Christ the high priest again questioned the Apostles as to why they were directly disobeying their orders to stop preaching about Christ?

 

There may come a time when you are in a similar position and must decide whether or not to obey man’s orders or God’s I trust that you like the Apostles will chose to obey God. “If we have to choose between obedience to God and obedience to any human authority, then we must obey God.   The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from death. You killed Jesus by hanging Him on a tree but God has lifted Him high, to God’s own right hand, as the Prince, as the Liberator. God intends to bring Israel to a radical rethinking of our lives and to a complete forgiveness of our sins. We are witnesses to these things. There is another witness, too—the Holy Spirit—whom God has given to all who choose to obey Him. (Acts 5:29-32)

The council would have killed them then and there is not for God having a “ram in the bush” so to speak. I always love reading this passage of scripture because it clearly shows that God will raise up a witness for us, even if it must come from what appears to be the enemies camp. Gamaliel a Pharisee was a well known leader and authority among the Sanhedrin, he also was a Dr. of Jewish Law, according to. He was also the mentor or teacher of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:3); who later became known as Apostle Paul after his Damascus Road experience (Acts 9:1-9)  

“…but Gamaliel, a Pharisee in the council respected as a teacher of the Hebrew Scriptures, stood up and ordered the men to be sent out so the council could confer privately. Fellow Jews, you need to act with great care in your treatment of these fellows.  Remember when a man named Theudas rose to notoriety? He claimed to be somebody important, and he attracted about 400 followers. But when he was killed, his entire movement disintegrated and nothing came of it.  After him came Judas, that Galilean fellow, at the time of the census. He also attracted a following; but when he died, his entire movement fell apart.  So here’s my advice: in this case, just let these men go. Ignore them. If this is just another movement arising from human enthusiasm, it will die out soon enough.  But then again, if God is in this, you won’t be able to stop it—unless, of course, you’re ready to fight against God!”

We may not know when or how God will deliver us when we stand up for the truth, but be assured He will. The Apostles were by experience gaining great faith and confidence in Gods hand of deliverance; which was a good thing because they were going to need that faith and trust in the days, months and years ahead. 

My Prayer: Father God, we give You Glory and Praise for Your hand of protection being upon each of us as we stand in the gap for the lost and declare Your word to the lost and dying souls in this world. Thank for giving us boldness to stand no matter what the circumstance and say what thus said the Lord, even in the face of the proud and pompous religious people of this day. Thank You for raising up Gamaliel’s to speak in our behalf when the enemy threatens our lives for Christ sake. Thank You for giving us boldness, along with angelic protection and divine guidance as we complete the tasks You have given each of us in Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen!!!

Have A Bless Day…Go in God’s Peace!  

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