Do You Have What It Takes?

Josh Bell
Written By Jeff Rybacki
 
“33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.”
— Acts 5:33-42 ESV

Here in Acts 5 Peter and the apostles are imprisoned for preaching the gospel and about midway through the passage we see them imprisoned only to be let free secretly in the night by an angel.  As the high priest and his associates discovered their miraculous release, instead of being amazed, or even investigating how they were released, being blinded by their selfish ambitions they immediately rebuked them again for sharing God’s truth.  In Peter’s response he says “we must obey God rather than men” as a result the religious council was so enraged, they sought to kill them.  

At this point a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was of high regard among the religious leaders, intervenes and advises that the council does not kill the apostles.  Instead he highlights past insurrectionists who in their quest failed to amount to anything.  Somehow here Gamaliel must have noticed something different about the apostles’ mission.  Obviously, the word of Christ’s resurrection would have been no secret as this time so shortly removed from the crucifixion.  Was Gamaliel beginning to believe in what the apostles stood for?  Or was he instead of the mindset that he wanted the religious leaders to have no part in persecuting the apostles in order to preserve their public image?  Scripture does not really tell us, and I do not think we need to know, but something struck me when reading this.  Gamaliel pointed out that past radical movements came and went without ever gaining traction to give credence to their purpose and therefore their efforts would be a waste of time for movement that could likely die out soon. 

As Gamaliel finishes giving his advice, he says in verse 39 “but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.  You might even be found opposing God!”  So here, I think, the case Gamaliel presented serves as an apologetic reminder that the Christian faith is truly authentic because it has withstood the test of time and continues to do so today, despite all efforts to wipe it out.  Little did he know that the religious leaders were already in opposition to God.  They facilitated the crucifixion of Christ and many of those same people were there in this passage.  Peter calls them out for it in verse 30.  Little did Gamaliel know he would prophesy the apostle’s success which proved the power of God working in and through them.  People like us can read this truth today because the apostles’ mission for God was valid.  God guided them, empowered them, and protected them giving rise to the early church and the ongoing Christian movement.  

As we move on into verse 40 the religious leaders took Gamaliel’s advice and instead of killing the apostles, they flogged them.  Which brings us to another thought.  The apostles here were likely flogged 39 times, the standard number to avoid the OT legal limit of 40 times.  This would no doubt have been an excruciating punishment and likely a considerably debilitating punishment.  But what do the apostles do?  Verse 41 (I like the NASB version here) “So they went on their way from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.”  What!?  How can this be?  How can they rejoice in such pain and suffering?  They believed with every ounce of their being that Jesus was who He said He was.  They knew that their suffering was a testament to their commitment to Jesus.  A confirmation of the veracity of their mission for Him.  They rejoiced in their suffering because they knew it was for Christ’s benefit.  Their pain was Jesus’s gain.  What a great example of devotion and commitment.  I cannot help but picture them here running away beaten, bloodied, hobbling along with every bit of energy they have left while laughing, high fiving, and celebrating…praising God for their persecution.  I always ask myself when I read this, “could I do that?” “is my faith that strong?”  “Would I rejoice in my suffering for Christ?  Or “would I grumble, complain, backslide, and/or distance myself from God for a while?”  I hope I never have to face that kind of persecution, but when I read this, I am moved to pray for a faith deep enough to have the same reaction the apostles did.  

How did the apostles respond going forward?  Verse 42 “And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus is the Christ.”  They faithfully continued preaching the truth regardless of the worldly consequences.  They knew without a doubt the spiritual consequences were far more important.  They knew their purpose for Christ mattered significantly more and no amount of pain imposed by man would convince them otherwise.  

I pray all of us prepare ourselves for the same reaction the apostles had.  Prayerfully seeking to establish the fortitude to press on regardless of what the world thinks or what they may do.  May we believe in this radical Christian movement that no earthly force could or can eliminate.  Trusting wholeheartedly in person and work of Jesus.  Committing ourselves to work diligently in that biblical calling to participate in the advancement of God’s kingdom.  Let us rejoice in our suffering, sing praises in our blessings, and live every moment for His purpose and for His glory! 

 
Jeff Rybacki
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