Acts 5:34-6:334Then 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; 35And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36For 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. 37After 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. 38And 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: 39But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 40And 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. 41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. 1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (Acts 5:34‑6:3)
34-35. “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; and said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.”
Though not a divine message, Gamaliel’s warning was timely. Man, so hardened against God’s truth, may still be swayed by human reason and may even do the right thing, though without faith in God.
36-37. “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.”
With all his natural learning, Gamaliel could only equate Jesus, the Son of God, with two common criminals. His human reasoning is flawless, but there is no heart attachment to the ascended Christ. This brilliant and respected doctor of Jewish law by wisdom knew not God, for the preaching of Jesus was foolishness to him (1 Cor. 1:1818For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)).
38-39. “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.”
Gamaliel would exercise prudence in his advice. Though he evidently did not believe in his heart (else he would have openly embraced Christianity), he encourages caution just in case the evident, mighty work was of God!
He seeks neutrality, distancing himself from the hatred of the other Jewish leaders, which, to his cultured mind, was unreasonable. But though he cautions not to fight against God, Gamaliel did not realize that his prudence was as much a rejection of the truth as the open hatred of his brethren. There can be no neutrality with Christ, for the soul that “is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad” (Matt. 12:3030He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (Matthew 12:30)).
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.”
For all of Gamaliel’s reputation, wisdom and prudence, the hearts of the Jewish leaders remain implacable and unchanged in their hatred of Jesus and the gospel of His resurrection. Beatings and threats are the manner in which these hypocrites “refrain” from hindering the work of God!
41. “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”
The reality of the gospel and faith in the risen Jesus of Nazareth is evidenced in the early church not only in miracles and acts of mighty power, but in seeing those who suffer unrighteously filled with joy. What a testimony to this dark world when a believer suffering for the name of Christ at the hands of wicked men does so with joy, counting such to be a privilege! (See 1 Peter 2:19; 219For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. (1 Peter 2:19)
19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. (1 Peter 2:19) Timothy 3:12.)
42. “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
The apostles submit to the unrighteous beatings, but they did not heed the Jewish leaders’ wicked commands to cease preaching the glorious gospel. We should expect and submit to unrighteous persecution for the blessed name of Jesus. But let us never cease doing the work of an evangelist.
Chapter 6:13
1. “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.”
Satan, unable to hinder the early assembly by outward persecution, seeks to corrupt it by discontent from within. The Grecians may have had good reason for their concerns, but the apostles had just given the brethren a wonderful example of quietly suffering injustices and wrongs.
How vital to the spiritual health of assemblies that this humble spirit still characterize the interactions of believers. “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:3232And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)).
2. “Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.”
Both services are necessary—ministering the Word and ministering to practical needs. But the apostles’ service was clearly to teach the doctrine of Christ to believers—the apostles’ doctrine. If Satan were successful in drawing them away from that vitally important ministry, a greatly weakened assembly would result.
3. “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”
The importance of moral weight in personal life is seen early in the assembly. We might think that the first requirement for deacon ministry is that one be full of the Holy Spirit. Yet, though absolutely vital, the Spirit has seen fit to mention “honest report” first. This principle—that one carry moral weight before the world and his brethren—is vital for the health and welfare of the assembly. Today, even though there are no longer apostles, it is just as critical that the life and ministry of each believer be marked by being of honest report.
Ed.