The physician Luke wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted them and asked, “Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name?” He told them they had “filled all Jerusalem” with their “doctrine”, and after “Peter and the other apostles” told them, “we ought to obey God rather than men”, the religious leaders were “cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them”. It was at that time, “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, … Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought”, and in chapter five and verse thirty-nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Gamaliel” said, “if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it” where we read:
But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God.
The verse begins, “But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it;” Luke began with the words, “but if it be of God” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover whether and in case the doctrine of the apostles is from the Heavenly Father God”, “you cannot overthrow it” or “you, high priest and religious leaders, are incapable, not able in without power to dissolve, disunite and subvert the counsel and work of the apostles”. Luke shared how “Gamaliel” told the other religious leaders “if” the “counsel and work” of the apostles had it's origin in God, they would in no way be able to “dissolve or subvert” it.
The verse goes on to say, “lest haply you be found even to fight against God.” Luke continued with the words, “lest haply you be found” which means “or unless , perhaps, whether and peradventure you, religious leaders, are discovered, known, obtained and procured” “even to fight against God” or “indeed and also to resist as an opponent and to be in opposition toward the Heavenly Father God”. Luke shared how “Gamaliel” told the other “religious leaders” they would be in a position “opposite to and opposing” “God” if the source of the “apostles' doctrine” was from Him.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Gamaliel” thought there was one of two sources from which the “counsel and work” of the apostles came. Either it came from “man”, or it came from “God”. Because God was driven to provide an opportunity for mankind to be saved from their sins, He was indeed the source of the “gospel of Jesus Christ His Son”. Sin separates people from God, and without the removal of the “sin” problem, no one could come to God. Jesus came to die for the sins of the whole world, and He was raised from the dead three days later. He alone provides “salvation” for people, and when a person surrenders their life to Him as their “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and be with them all their lives. Let all who consider “Gamaliel's” words ask, “Is this counsel and work from men or from God?”, and may all who think through this question answer - “from God”.
Next time Luke shares how the religious leaders, “agreed” with “Gamaliel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment