“If their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:38b–39
As we’ve seen, not everyone was on board with the rapidly spreading message of the Gospel. Specifically, the religious establishment took issue with what the apostles were saying. At the core, they were jealous. They were losing their hold as the spiritual gatekeepers of the masses.
In the second recorded instance of religious resistance (Acts 5:17–42), the Sanhedrin had the apostles arrested and put in jail. God had a jailbreak planned that didn’t even leave evidence of their departure. When the religious leaders sent for the prisoners, their guarded but empty and locked cells were all that remained. The apostles were back in the temple courts teaching the people.
So, once again, the apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin and scolded not to share about Jesus. I love how Peter replied, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” They then proceeded to proclaim who Jesus is, much to the anger of this religious assembly.
An interesting turn of events took place, though. One of the highly respected religious leaders there was named Gamaliel. You may have never heard of him, but perhaps you know one of his star pupils, the one we call the Apostle Paul (Acts 22:3). The apostles were temporarily escorted out, and Gamaliel gave an insight that is our encouragement for today.
Gamaliel gave examples of previous false prophets like Theudas and Judas who had led the people astray, but were killed, and so their followers were scattered. The same would be true if Jesus fit this mold. However, if He didn’t, the Sanhedrin would “only find [them]selves fighting against God.”
Gamaliel’s wise advice worked, and the believers were released with a verbal warning accompanied by a good flogging. Their backs were shredded just like Jesus’ was before being crucified. Amazingly, they left “rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” The persecution didn’t stop them, it only emboldened them.
It has been my experience in traveling to countries where followers of Christ are persecuted that resistance and physical harm do not stop them. It usually grows their faith and their love for the lost—even for their persecutors. Persecution is only for a season. The Kingdom of God is forever. We will look at this more tomorrow as we consider the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Let’s go back to Gamaliel’s reasoning and take heart that he was actually right. Here we stand two thousand years later. Jesus was killed (but He rose again), and His believers were persecuted and scattered, but it was for the purpose of sharing the message of salvation to the world. The movement/rebellion was not quelled.
The enemies of the Gospel only have defeat in their future. This message will not be stopped until it has come to fruition, and then Jesus will return to rule forever. Take heart, fellow believer, that we follow the One True God!
