Chapter Five –
First Church Discipline, 2nd Arrest
ACTS 5:33-42:
In our previous lesson, we witnessed the defense from the Apostles of Jesus
Christ to the accusations from the council, that they had violated the edict
from them to not preach in the Name of Jesus, and have filled Jerusalem with
their doctrine, and that they intended to bring His blood upon them.
The Apostles responded, once again, that they will obey God rather than men
(see: 4:19). In addition, they
would give a short synopsis of the message they had been actively preaching
to the people.
God had raised up Jesus, exalting Him to His right hand (a position of
authority) and has made Him a ruler and Savior. In fact, it is God who has
proclaimed that you have killed His Son of promise. The Apostles and the
Holy Spirit have now testified (eye witnesses and miraculous testimony),
establishing this as truth; and establishing that there can only be
salvation in His Name (see: 4:12).
In this lesson, we will now see the reaction of the council and the sage
advice of Gamaliel towards averting another tragic crime by the council.
Text #1:
Acts 5:33-34
“When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.
34
Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of
the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the
apostles outside for a little while.”
Furious:
Many of us have translator notes in our Bibles that correspond to this
statement, offering an alternative phrase,
“Cut to the quick”, which comes
from the original Greek understanding. In
either case, it is accurately describing the pure hatred and burning anger
of the council towards these uneducated Galileans, who have accused them
(see:
4:13).
So filled
with wrath, the council is in a blind rage, and if something is not done,
they are once again going to have blood on their hands.
Gamaliel:
Enter a voice of reason, and one that will be able to gain the ear of the
council to avert their course. Gamaliel (his name means, “Reward of God”),
as tradition would bear out was a Pharisee and a well-known doctor of the
Law. Additionally, he would be one of seven Rabbis who would receive first,
the distinguished title of Rabban (a term that means, “Master Teacher”).
Although
Gamaliel is a popular Jewish name, tradition also bears out that this is the
teacher that Paul sites in
Acts 22:3, as his instructor in the
Law.
The first
act of wisdom that he will demonstrate will be to remove the visual object
of the council’s rage.
Text #2:
Acts 5:35-37
“And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you
intend to do regarding these men.
36
For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men,
about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were
scattered and came to nothing.
37
After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew
away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were
dispersed.”
Take Heed
to Yourselves:
Gamaliel
makes it perfectly clear what the intent of the council truly was. In order
to stop them from committing yet another crime
in hatred, having removed the
Apostles, he attempts to draw their attention to reason.
Theudas:
It is historically accurate to know that this period in Judean history would
be full of tumult and periodic uprisings. The greatest of them all, would
come from the Jewish zealots against Rome. It is also evident by the
information given by Gamaliel, that many of the leaders of these tumults
would use known information concerning the coming of the Messiah in order to
claim to be something.
Nothing can be distinguished in history concerning this specific incident,
other than what Gamaliel has revealed and Luke records. Theudas is unknown
in terms of details; however, here he is an illustration of previous types
of uprisings, which went away on their own by the hand of the people, when
they became wise to their deceit.
Judas of Galilee:
Gamaliel introduces a second insurrectionist for the purpose of
illustration. There is similarity offered to the present Apostolic teaching
to Jesus (days of the census, drew away many followers). In like fashion to
Theudas, he perished and his followers were dispersed.
These two examples will allow Gamaliel to make his final argument for the
council not to act in haste and rage.
Note:
As Jesus rendered to His chosen the events that would occur so that they
would recognize the coming of the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem;
He claimed that they would see many who would
“Come in My name, saying, ‘I am he’”
– Luke
21:8. It is evident that this was not something that would just
happen later, but the fact of the matter is that it had already been
happening.
Another sign from the same teaching that is already being fulfilled is found
in Luke
21:12-15, which is transpiring right now, as the Apostles face
the council.
Text #3:
Acts 5:38-39
“And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if
this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;
39
but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight
against God.”
Gamaliel’s
Advice:
As the two
evidentiary cases indicate clearly, the imposters to the Messiah were
destroyed naturally, and not by the council committing crimes of their own.
His advice
is to allow the same to happen here (“For
if this plan or work is of men, it will come to nothing”), which he
knows that the council believes. Additionally, he offers the understanding
of the universal recognition of the miracles being performed by the Apostles
and their standing with the people (“If
it is of God, you cannot overthrow it” – something the modern day
teachers of premillennialism should pay attention to -pragmatically, when
they state that Christ failed to establish His kingdom because the Jews
killed Him).
There are
those who have stated in teaching this passage, that Gamaliel was
predisposed to the Apostle’s doctrine and a supporter; and that his words
were even inspired.
Friends, it
is evident in this passage that Gamaliel is not a believer in Jesus as the
Christ, nor a supporter of the Apostle’s teaching at all (there is no
recorded protest to their having the Apostle’s beaten, or any evidence
offered internally or historically to him believing).
All we have
here is a wise man giving pragmatic advice to a council of hot heads,
ready to kill again. The only thing inspired about this recorded
presentation of Gamaliel’s advice to the council, is Luke’s accurate
knowledge of it.
Text #4:
Acts 5:40-42
“And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and
beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of
Jesus, and let them go.
41
So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were
counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
42
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and
preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
Agreed with
Him:
Gamaliel’s
efforts did truly avert a crime from the council. They will still satiate
their desire to punish the Apostles for breaking the first order to not
preach in the name of Jesus.
Beat Them:
The Jews had a much different practice than that of the Romans when it came
to beating as a civil punishment. The Romans made a science out of beating,
the administrator knowing when to stop it just before the recipient was
dead. The Jews; however, practiced beating after the commands in the Law of
Moses (see:
Deuteronomy 25:3). The Law permitted
only forty stripes to be given, which would also lead to the iconic
statement of, “You shall not muzzle
an ox while it treads out the grain” –
Deuteronomy 25:4; which Paul would quote in
1
Corinthians 9:9. This statement was given to demonstrate that
this punishment was not to be used to cripple a man, so that he could not
provide for his family.
By the time
of Jesus on earth, the Jews had developed the tradition of 39 strips, in
order to be safe not to violate this Law. Even though 39 stripes sound
better than almost beaten to death, we should not be deceived into thinking
that it was joyful or easy to endure, by any stretch.
Departed
Rejoicing:
The
Apostles of Jesus Christ demonstrate after their release a paradox that only
those who have known the love of God, demonstrated in Jesus Christ, can
truly know – joy in the face of persecution. This passage is an illustration
of the words of James, note:
James 1:2-4
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking nothing.”
And of
Peter, note:
1 Peter 4:12-16
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try
you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13
but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when
His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for
the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is
blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a
busybody in other people’s matters.
16
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let
him glorify God in this matter.”
Did Not Cease:
In addition to considering themselves privileged to suffer for the name of
Christ, they continued in the face of the council warnings to preach the
Name of Jesus as the Christ, in spite of the warning, once again
illustrating the words of Paul, note:
Romans 13:3
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be
unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from
the same.”
Next: “First Collective Problem!”