Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

Good Morning, Everyone! :hibye: Daily Scriptural Text for Thursday, February 1, 2007:

38 "So I am telling you: Hands off these men! Let them alone. 39 If this program or this work is merely human, it will fall apart, but if it is of God, there is nothing you can do about it—and you better not be found fighting against God!"--Acts 5: (38 and) 39, The Message Bible.

Complimentary Scriptures:

10 "Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ."--Matthew 23:10, New American Standard Bible.

22 But we consider it suitable to hear from you what you think. For concerning this sect, we are aware that it is spoken against everywhere.--Acts 28:22, Holman Christian Standard Bible.

My comment: The speaker of the words of today's Scriptural text, as we know, was a member of the Jewish "San'he-drin, a Pharisee named Ga-ma'li-el, a Law teacher esteemed by all the people." (Acts 5:34, NWT.) In addition to having been a member of the Jewish religious high court, -- the Sanhedrin, -- and a most highly esteemed teacher of the Law (of Moses), He appears to have been the one historically referred to as, "Gamaliel the Elder." This "Gamaliel the Elder" was the first one to have bestowed upon him the title of "Rabban," which was even higher than that of "Rabbi" (or, "Teacher"). According to Insight on the Scriptures, Volume I, page 887, column 1, ... "Gamaliel evidently was broad-minded and not fanatical in his views, as is reflected by the counsel he gave on the occasion that Peter and the other apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin."

It was at the feet of this Gamaliel that Saul of Tarsus, -- later, the apostle Paul, --  received his instruction according to (and, his indoctrination into) the way of the Pharisees.--Acts 22:3.

Yes, Gamaliel offered sound advice, didn't he? We could even call it "timeless" advice. It fits all times (including ours) and all circumstances (including ours). With so many wonderful, worthwhile spiritual activities in which we can invest our time, energy and emotion, why dissipate those precious resources in toiling against anything or anyone that, -- if it/they are not of God, -- will evaporate, all by it-/them-selves, anyway?

The whole fifth chapter of Acts helps us to capture the excitement and the flavor of what the apostles themselves were all about. Here's a bit more:

Apostolic Signs and Wonders

12 Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. By common consent they would all meet in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 None of the rest dared to join them, but the people praised them highly. 14 Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on beds and pallets so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
    
In and Out of Prison

17 Then the high priest took action. He and all his colleagues, those who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 So they arrested the apostles and put them in the city jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said, 20 "Go and stand in the temple complex, and tell the people all about this life." 21 In obedience to this, they entered the temple complex at daybreak and began to teach.
  
The Apostles on Trial Again

When the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the full Senate of the sons of Israel—and sent [orders] to the jail to have them brought. 22 But when the temple police got there, they did not find them in the jail, so they returned and reported, 23 "We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing in front of the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!" 24 As the captain of the temple police and the chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them, as to what could come of this.--Acts 5:12-24, Holman Christian Standard Bible.

Upon reflection, we come to understand that the apostles weren't lambasting the Saducees, the Pharisees, the Essenes, worship at the temple, or anything else, for that matter. They were simply doing as the angel had suggested. They were telling people "all about this life." (Verse 20, above.) Why this life is the way it is right now; and the wonderful "good news" of what our precious Lord and Redeemer has assured that it will be, soon enough, when all of God's promises are fulfilled toward us. (1 Corinthians 2:9.) And, lest we forget:

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—did not become "Yes and no"; on the contrary, "Yes" has come about in Him. 20 For every one of God's promises is "Yes" in Him. Therefore the "Amen" is also through Him for God's glory through us.--2 Corinthians 1:19, 20, ibid.

Have A Thoughtful Thursday, Everybody! :giverose:
Let's Carry On With Everything That Is True, Righteous, Chaste, Lovable, And Virtuous! :thumbup: (Philippians 4:8.)

Much LOVE to ALL! :love: isomam