As we just heard from the Book of Acts, Peter and “the other apostles” had a real knack for ticking off the Sanhedrin. They were just so darn persistent about spreading this new gospel that nothing seemed to discourage them. The fact was that they were actually making progress, and that had the Sanhedrin in a sweat. They were so worried that they were willing to play their trump card. They were preparing to kill them. Fortunately for the disciples, someone intervened. His name was Gamaliel. His calm advice assuaged their anger, and many Christians since then have regarded Gamaliel as a voice of divine reason. But was Gamaliel’s motive as pure as it appeared?
Rabbi Gamaliel I (gəmâ'lçəl) was a leading authority in the Sanhedrin in the mid first century. He was the grandson of the great Jewish teacher Hillel the Elder, and died twenty years before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.
In the Christian tradition, Gamaliel is celebrated as a Pharisee Doctor of Jewish Law, who was the teacher of the Apostle Paul. In Acts 22:3, Paul himself said, “Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.”
The Talmud (a collection of Hebrew teachings) tells us that Gamaliel was one of only seven to be given the title Rabban (master), a rabbinic title given to the Head of the Sanhedrin. In the Mishnah, he’s praised as being one of the greatest teachers in all the annals of Judaism. It was written, “Since Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, there has been no more reverence for the law; (with Gamaliel’s passing), purity and piety died out at the same time.”
The Book of Acts introduces Gamaliel as a Pharisee member of the Sanhedrin. In Acts 5, we’re told that he presents an argument against killing the apostles – an argument which seems wise indeed, but was he defending the Apostles or merely soothing ruffled feathers? Consider what he said.
He reminded the Sanhedrin about previous revolts led by ill fated rebels named Theudas and Judas of Galilee. He reminded them that those revolts collapsed quickly after the leaders died. He then concludes by saying, “If [this Gospel] be of men, it will come to naught, but if it be of God, you will not be able to overthrow it; lest perhaps you be found even to fight against God.” Their respect for Gamaliel was so great that they accepted this advice, regardless of how unwelcome it probably was.
As we all know, God sometimes provides help from unexpected sources. Such was the case here. No doubt Gamaliel’s intervention did calm the council – for the moment, but in the very next chapter (Acts 6), we see the same council condemning and stoning Stephen. While Gamaliel isn’t mentioned in Acts 6, there’s no reason to assume he was absent. And if by chance, he was absent, why was his previous counsel ignored so soon? Why indeed?
I would argue that Gamaliel was not so much a wise proponent of God’s truth as he was an appeaser. His actual advice was to wait-and-see, sit-on-the-fence and see what happens next. He calmed the assembly for the moment . . . but only for the moment.
Jesus was arrested in Jerusalem during the Passover. Since Gamaliel was so prominent, we can only assume that he must also have been in Jerusalem at the same time and probably even when Jesus was crucified. Perhaps he was even one who voted for his death, but we hear of no objections then.
We know Gamaliel knew the Scriptures and was surely aware of the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Because of that, he should have known better than try to remain neutral when faced with Jesus and later with Stephen. For Gamaliel to claim uncertainty in the matter of Christianity seems more than unlikely. When viewing the motives behind this Pharisee’s advice, it’s clear to me that claiming uncertainty is NOT a viable option.
There’s an old Chinese proverb about procrastination that says: “He who deliberates fully before taking a step will spend his entire life on one leg.”
Dante said it much more vigorously: “The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in a period of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.” Clearly the Sanhedrin considered the teachings of Christianity were causing a moral crisis. Was Gamaliel down playing the urgency of it? If so, why?
This teacher of the law was comparing Jesus with two notorious rebels. In fact, he’s saying that it’s quite possible he’s no different. He’s arguing that “the proof will be in the pudding.” In other words, if it really is God’s message, then it will succeed. But – there’s an inherent problem with that logic. Only the success of their message will prove if they’re from God or not, and who will define or deny if it’s successful? Well, it would have to be the Sanhedrin – of course. And what do you suppose their verdict would be?
Success is a standard gauge in evaluating men, movements and merchandise. Like the old saying, “nothing succeeds like success”. But the world’s yardstick doesn’t apply to Christ. If you consider Bible records, you’ll see many apparent failures such as: Abraham who left the wealth and comfort of Ur to become a nomad in the desert; or Moses who gave up Pharaoh’s palace to become a shepherd and then suffered with God’s people for 40 years in wilderness.
Nehemiah gave up a well-paid job as a highly placed government official to build a wall around a ruined city. And who could forget Jeremiah? He was thrown into the bottom of a stinking, muddy hole for proclaiming the Word of the Lord. And the worst of all, Jesus Christ who died a shameful death on a cursed cross. So tell me again – who defines success?
It’s also true that durability is not a viable criteria either. There are many false religions and philosophies that are centuries old and some even older than Christianity itself. So what was Gamaliel’s standard for success?
There’s a story told about an English evangelists named Lord Soper who died in 1998. He had a supreme gift for oratory.
As the story goes, an objector, a rather scruffy, unkempt sort of individual interrupted Lord Soper once by calling out: “Look how long Christianity has been around – 2000 years – and what good has it done the world?”
To which Lord Soper replied: “Look how long soap has been around – 3000 years – and what good has it done you?!”
The point is that the success or failure of Christianity can only be weighed on a case-by-case basis, and that depends entirely on how it’s applied.
By and large, Christianity is still a minority faith in most parts of world. Success has never been the true criterion for judging Jesus Christ – and only eternity will tell. So if you’re postponing a commitment to Jesus Christ on the basis of whether or not it will be of any long-term advantage to you – to see if it will make you happy, healthy and wealthy - you may live and die with Gamaliel . . . sitting on the fence.
In verse 38, we read Gamaliel’s advice to the Sanhedrin, “In the present case I advise you, Leave them alone - let them go!”
Sounds like good advice don’t you think? It even seems to indicate a slight sympathy for Christianity. Perhaps it sounded like astute political thinking as well. Just let the Romans look after them. If they are trouble-makers, if they are disturbing the peace, well we all know that the Romans won’t tolerate it.
So now we begin to see Gamaliel as proposing a likely safe compromise; “Lets not be hasty or take any actions we might live to regret. Just leave them alone.”
That reminds me of something Sir Markham Clements wrote, “But that is one thing no intelligent or responsible person can possibly do with Christianity. If the apostolic message is true, it is the most important thing that has ever happened in the history of the world. If it is false, it is the most outrageous lie ever perpetrated on the general public. You cannot adopt a non-committal position. The claims of Jesus Christ demand a verdict.”
The exclusive claims of Christ go against the grain of most moderates. They’re just too strict, too unyielding, and just plain not acceptable or politically correct. Consequently, the temptation is to soften the message of Christianity; make it more palatable; even make false comparisons so others won’t be offended. But even more to the point, sitting on fence is both dangerous and uncomfortable.
We need to make up our minds, or we face the possibility of making another mistake like that of Gamaliel. Jesus clearly saw this coming when he said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.”
In a museum art gallery of old masters, one visitor was being particularly and audibly critical of these great works of art. Finally, an elderly attendant could stand it no longer and said: “If you please sir, the pictures are no longer on trial . . . but the spectators are.” Indeed, it has been said that it’s no longer Jesus Christ who is on trial but mankind. You cannot play hands off with Jesus Christ.
There were two prominent but very different theologians at the time of the Reformation; Luther and Erasmus. Erasmus was always the appeaser. The moderates throughout Europe, the semi-skeptical intelligencia of the universities told the golden-tongued apostle of compromise that he was in the right to be politically correct. But the heart of Christianity beat within Luther. Erasmus would never publically commit himself to what he believed. But Martin Luther, when he was called on to renounce his heresies, proclaimed clearly, “Here I stand, I can do no other.”
Fortunately for all of us, Gamaliel had one pupil who was no appeaser. Whatever he did, he did wholeheartedly, without compromise, and without concern for who might be offended. His name was Saul of Tarsus; first a persecutor of Christians and uncompromising advocate of Jewish tradition whose eyes were abruptly – and literally – opened by God. From that time forth, Saul became Paul – a preacher of the faith and truth of Jesus Christ.
You and I are also called to preach Jesus Christ crucified and raised again. We’re called to share God’s truth with love and confidence that His Word never returns to Him empty. As it is written, “We are witnesses of these things.” And “We must obey God rather than men!”
Please join with me in prayer:
(sermon inspired by Derek Adamsbaum, www.SermonCentral.com )
