“There stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth for a little space.” v. 34
Some see Gamaliel’s intervention on behalf of the apostles before the Sanhedrin as an act of faith. While it was purposed of God to spare the apostles alive, Gamaliel was acting in his self-interest. In so doing, he did what was of self-preserving interest for him, but all the while accomplishing God’s eternal purpose for all concerned. What was meant for evil, God purposed for God [Genesis 50:20, Acts 2:23; 4:27, 28.
1. Who was Gamaliel? He is described in three ways: a Pharisee, a doctor of the law, and one held in high esteem among the people. Everything about him stood against the glory of God. As a Pharisee, he saw himself as a self-righteous Jew, the title Pharisee meaning ‘separate.’ He was one who trusted in himself and despised others [Luke 18:9]. As a doctor of the law, he was one of whom Paul wrote in Romans 2:23- “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?” As one who was had in reputation [honor and esteem] among all the people, his one goal would be keeping everyone satisfied. He was all things to all men. Of such our LORD Jesus said, “How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?” [John 5:44]. Bottom line: an unconverted, self-honoring, blind leader of the blind, [Matthew 15:14].
2. What was Gamaliel’s character? Someone who is held in reputation among ALL the people is a pacifier. In the Sanhedrin there was already a power struggle between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and Gamaliel’s role was that of peacekeeper (get along to get along) as opposed to being a peacemaker by bowing to and pointing sinners to the ONLY true peace, which is Christ and Him crucified [Romans 5:1,2]. You can’t teach others what you have never been taught yourself. Although the apostle Paul learned at the feet of Gamaliel [Acts 22:3], the LORD in grace made a difference in him, separating him out to Himself, being a chosen vessel of God for whom the LORD Jesus had paid the debt. Having been so taught of the LORD, by His Spirit, Paul declared, “For do I now persuade men or God? or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” [Galatians 1:10]. Certainly such was the case with the apostles. They neither backed down nor catered to the whims of their human judges, although threatened not to preach Christ, imprisoned, and ultimately beaten. They left rejoicing that they were counted worthy (an honor) to suffer shame (dishonor) for His name [Acts 5:41].
3. How did Gamaliel prove to be a compromiser? He spoke some truth, without declaring THE TRUTH. He warned his peers against hurting or killing the apostles [Acts 5:33, 35] and counseled them not to be found fighting against God [Acts 5:39], and yet he still approved their beating and warning them not to preach anymore in the name of Christ, v. 41. He even declared that ‘if it is of God, ye cannot overthrow it,’ which is true, and yet missing the mark. There are many who hold to certain teachings of Scripture, such as God’s absolute sovereignty, but still stand opposed to the doctrine of Christ. They, like the Pharisees, had a strong view of God’s sovereignty and election (they being the elect), even awaiting the coming of a messiah according to the Scriptures, but just not Jesus of Nazareth. They were sadly deluded and blind, as was the apostle Paul, or any of us who are the LORD’S until it pleased God to reveal Christ in us. [Gal. 1:15].
May the LORD grant us His Spirit of grace to say, “and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith,” [Philippians 3:9]
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