Acts 5:17-42
Dear RTB’ers,
Yesterday’s closing verse: The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. (Acts 5:16) Today we see the Jewish leaders jealous of the apostles’ success with the people and angry that Peter and the others are disobeying their command not to teach or speak in Jesus’ name: “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” (Acts 5:28) It is interesting to me that the high priest is not willing to speak Jesus’ Name!! I wonder why. Guilt? Fear? Pride? All the above? He has been told by Peter and John that there is power in that Name (Acts 4:10); maybe he fears a negative outcome if he is the one who is speaking the Name!! Curious! And frankly (maybe only to me), somewhat amusing…!
Gamaliel’s wisdom: “…for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” (Acts 5:38b-39) We will learn later that Saul (later, the apostle Paul) was one of Gamaliel’s students. Paul speaking: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel.” (Acts 22:3a) Interesting.
Blessings!