Many signs and wonders were being done by the Apostles in the Book of Acts, Chapter 5. That made the Jewish High Priest jealous since signs and wonders were not being done by him or his colleagues.
Jealousy prompted the High Priest to arrest the Apostles and put them in the city jail, but just as quickly an angel of the LORD opened the door and let them out. The apostles went back to teaching in the temple but got arrested again and brought before the Sanhedrin.
The High Priest was indignant that the Apostles had not followed his orders to stop teaching in the name of Jesus. When he expressed his indignation, Peter uttered his illustrious response … “We must obey God rather than men.” [5:29]
That so angered the Sanhedrin’s members that they were ready to kill the Apostles and would have except for one man’s argument. His name was Gamaliel, a teacher of the law and he told the Sanhedrin, “if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown, but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” [5:38-39]
With that, they released the Apostles, telling them once again not to teach about Jesus. The next day the Apostles were right back at it, teaching all who would listen about their LORD and Savior.
I am impressed by the courage and determination of the Apostles, but the few words that moved my spirit today were those final words of Gamaliel … “You may even be found fighting against God.”
Somehow, I think fighting against God is a losing proposition. If God is in it, whether we agree or disagree, whether we like it or not, God will have His way. And I for one do not want to be “found fighting against God.” Amen & Amen.
