Monday, April 18, 2011

Gamaliel

Act 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, 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;

Act 5:38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
Act 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Act 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

I have seen churches arise that were thought to be where God was moving, many rushed to this church or that church because they saw something different and then in a year or so they were no more. I have seen church bodies grow to overflowing because of a persuasive Pastor and then I have seen that pastor move on to a bigger and "better" church; he was just a hireling after all. Another church has a godly preacher who preaches the whole counsel of God and a board member or elder tells him not to preach about the blood of Christ and he is asked to leave. Some ministries cease because they leave the foundational truths of the Bible; others are destroyed by the devil within the church. The true church of Jesus Christ will continue, because he founded it upon his death, burial and resurrection and on his word and promises.

Gamaliel was a master teacher of the law. He had taught the law to Paul, when he was a Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus. When the devil's who were in power in the Jewish religion opposed the apostles who were preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, casting out devils and healing the sick; he said give them space, don't be so quick to stone them. The test of a God sent people of faith is in their enduring. If it does not last, it was not of God. This of course is not absolutely true, because some strange religions have lasted. The angels will sort the true from the false. The LORD through Gamelial came to the aid of the apostles. Gamelial probably had the Spirit of God; the spirit of truth.

2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

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