Part 3 – Acts 5:33-42 Gamaliel’s Wise Counsel
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Acts 16:30-31 (NASB)
Key x-References – Key Scriptures on the subject of Christian civil disobedience
Acts 4:18-22 (NASB) *First instance of ‘civil disobedience’ in Acts
“And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.” Note: Civil disobedience includes acceptance of consequences
Acts 5:27-29, 32 (excerpts NASB) *Second instance of ‘civil disobedience’ in Acts “When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men…And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Note: When the world conflicts with God…
1 Peter 4:12-19 (NASB) *Apostles spared in our Text-Pray for best…Prepare for worst! “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you… Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right .” Note: Christianity takes courage (Esther 4:16)
James 1:2-4 (NASB) *There is ALWAYS a positive result when God allows suffering “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect re- sult, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Acts 6:8-15 (excerpts NASB) *God’s wisdom in undeniable – even if they do!
“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen…rose up and argued with Stephen. But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly induced men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God …we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.’ And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.” cf. 1 Corinthians 1:20-21
“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
And to depart from evil is understanding.’”
Job 28:28 (NASB)
The Book of Acts Series #15 11/7/21
The Birth and Expansion of the Church of Jesus Christ “…you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NASB)
Introduction – The transitional nature of the Book of Acts 1:1-5 I. Christian witness in Jerusalem 1:6-8:3
A. The Risen Lord – The 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection & ascension 1:6-26 B. Pentecost – Outpouring of the Holy Spirit – The birthday of the Church 2:1-47 C. Healing the lame man in the Temple, Peter’s 2nd Sermon 3:1-26
D. The beginning of persecution 4:1-37
E. Purging from within, more persecution from without 5:1-41
- Ananias & Sapphira – Don’t try to lie to God—it doesn’t work! 5:1-11 2. The apostles’ 2nd run-in with the Jewish authorities 5:12-32
- Gamaliel’s wise counsel – for then and now —> Deliverance 5:33-42
a. Gamaliel’s wise counsel was factually based on recent history 5:33-39
b. The Council’s advice was finally received and accepted 5:40-41 Conclusion – The apostles and people immediately responded 5:42
F. Choosing co-laborers – The first deacons 6:1-7
G. Stephen, the first martyr 6:8-7:60
II. Christian witness in Palestine and Syria 8:1-12:25
A. The Christians Scattered 8:4-40
B. The Conversion of Paul 9:1-31
C. The Conversion of Gentiles 9:32-11:30
D. The Christians Persecuted by Herod 12:1-25
III. Christian witness to the uttermost part of the earth 13:1-28:31 A. The First Missionary Journey 13:1-14:28
B. The Council at Jerusalem 15:1-35
C. The Second Missionary Journey 15:36-18:22
D. The Third Missionary Journey 18:23-21:26
E. The Journey to Rome 21:27-28:27 Conclusion 28:28-31
Key Verse(s) – The believer’s concern for the world vs. their responsibility to God Acts 5:38-39 (NASB) *We must not forget that God is sovereign over affairs of men! “So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”
Acts 5:40-41 (NASB) *Christian faithfulness and obedience can result in hardship “They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.
So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.
“…the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52 (NASB)