The Church was too successful. The apostles were adding people by the day and the sick were being healed in great numbers. So the Sanhedrin arrested the Apostles. God’s Angel released them from jail and they returned to their teaching—now the Jewish leaders were mad. They decided to wipe out the movement!—In a gift of true intervention , Gamaliel, one of the most loved and respected Rabbi’s(Paul’s Mentor) stepped up to speak the truth. He put it very simply, “If these guys are not from God they will fade away. BUT, if they are from God, well, then you are fighting with God and not with men.” This floored the Council, and much like their encounter with Jesus and the woman caught in adultery, the Jewish leaders grudgingly stood down and let the men go.
When God is leading the journey, those who are in opposition are in opposition to Him. When People reject the church and its message, they are rejecting God. As such, when we remain faithful in following Him, we need not fear being rejected or persecuted—for they reject God and His message, not us.
We have to remember, it is our job to share the message; it is God’s job to change lives. We must speak the truth in love, and not concern ourselves with what others think. If we live and act in that way, we will see change and the Lord will be glorified. Conversely, If we refuse to share the truth—we will miss many blessings and end up fighting our beloved Lord. I personally would rather trust my Father to use His message than to withhold God’s truth from others and take away their opportunity to hear of Adonai’s life changing power. How about You?
God Bless You
The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
Walking With God 