Christian Living

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I recently started going through the book of Acts, and it is incredible the stories that jump out at you no matter how many times you’ve read the Bible. Every time we crack open the Bible it is guaranteed, if you allow it as you should, that the Spirit will give you revelation and show you something amazing. The Bible is the living Word of God, and will always be.

In short, Acts is the story and actions of the early church of Christ followers. Radical transformation took place everywhere a Christ follower went. Acts 1-4 discusses what the Apostles were going and doing and then there are stories of the Apostles pleading their case for the Gospel. The courage, fearlessness and authority these men were operating in is something to seek after and receive because we, as followers of Christ and in turn His children, have access to what He has. People saw this on the Apostles, they could tell these men were not working under their own power, but under a greater power. There was no stopping them and their mission.

In Acts 5, we read about some teaching the Apostles did and the healings done while they were around. Because of the signs, wonders and teaching of the Apostles, many people called it into question, mainly the teachers of the law and religious leaders of the time. The Sanhedrin was the group of leaders that made the decisions about the religious rules and practices of the day. Facing them usually did not end well because people were found guilty of blasphemy, sac-religious practices, etc. When the Apostles faced the Sanhedrin, they were facing charges with the result of jail time, flogging, banishment and death. Not a good situation for these men. But something amazing happened in the midst of this struggle when the Apostles got to give their reason for their actions.

Peter spoke about their obedience to God as opposed to men, which fueled the fire for the Sanhedrin. At this point, they wanted to put the Apostles to death. Here is where it gets amazing. A teacher of the law, Sadducee or Pharisee, someone more concerned with the way things were then how God was speaking and moving in the lives of people, stood up and made a bold statement.

Gamaliel, “who was honored by all people” (vs. 34), stood up and informed everyone of some truths. Gamaliel simply said, and I paraphrase, “do not try to control this. If it is of men, it is destined to fail, but if it is of God, you will find yourself fighting God”. Profound statement for a man who teaches the law and, in all reality, probably disagreed with the movement the Apostles were a part of. Yet, he was wise enough to see that these men may be doing God’s work and if it is so, there is no way they can be stopped because it would not be the opposition of men, it would be the opposition of God. For this man to see that and fashion an argument and statement that would convince these other hard-headed men was an astounding act of grace and the Spirit moving and working in him.

I love reading this story because of the weight of what actually happened here. Being put in front of the Sanhedrin was a rough experience because they were “set in their ways” type of men and leaders, and they were not very kind with those who oppose them. But when Gamaliel stands up and explains to them that there is no stopping God, it shows the reverence and authority he saw in God. It does not say if Gamaliel agreed or disagreed with the Apostles, but he was certainly a part of a group that did and him revealing the tough truth to them gives hope to the Apostles.

There are many wise people who have been around a long time and have witnessed trends and fads. Things that fail or pass are mainly of solely earthly good. When we line up with what God has for our lives and fully participate in His vision, dreams and destiny for us, we cannot be stopped. If you have a dream and work to attain it on your own will power, or with the will power of other men and women, it will inevitably fail. But, if we line our lives up with Christ and pursue Him while pursuing our dreams, it cannot be stopped.

Acts 5: 38-39: “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.”

Do not try to line God up with your dream or vision. Instead line up your vision and dreams with God, then you will be destined to succeed, and succeed far beyond what you would imagine or be able to achieve on your own.

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