Ye cannot overthrow it!

And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 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. 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. 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: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. Acts 5:35-39

Gamaliel is certainly a minor character in the New Testament. He is described in this chapter as a Pharisee and doctor of the law, a man with a good and respected reputation (cf. Acts 5:34). He is also noted by Paul as his teacher (Acts 22:3). We are never told in the Scriptures if he became a Christian, but we are told of his wise counsel in this passage.

The Pharisee reminded the council that Theudas came “boasting himself to be somebody.” He gathered some, and they were scattered in the end. Another, Judas of Galilee, drew some followers, but they were dispersed in the end. Gamaliel gave his hearers just two examples of those who came and went. There were certainly more before and more after. His point was to show that things have a way of finding themselves out over time.

Jesus said something similar in Luke 6:43-45. He explains that fruit comes as God made it, after its kind. Good fruit comes from a good tree. Corrupt trees cannot bring good fruit. It may look as if the tree is healthy and may gather men to it, but, in the end, corruption is found out and destroyed. Gamaliel instructed the Council to wait and see, for if this was of God, it would be impossible to overthrow. If it was a good tree, it would produce good fruit.

The church of Christ cannot be overthrown. God is faithful and is working in and through His people. We need not look at the groups of men who are here today and gone tomorrow. We must produce good fruit. We must look to the God who is yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Grace and Peace,

Ryan

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