Sage Advice

Acts 5:38-39    
    In Acts 5, the apostles are thrown into prison and subsequently released by an angel of the Lord. They then go before the Sanhedrin Council, without resisting, and again present the Gospel to them saying “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross” (Acts 5:30). This enraged the council so fiercely, they intended to kill the apostles (Acts 5:33). Then Gamaliel, a Pharisee, a well respected man, and instructor to the apostle Paul (Acts 5:34, 22:3), stood and gave the best advice possible, “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 5:38-39). These men were religious. These men believed in God. These men believed that what they were doing was God’s will. But they were wrong. Jesus tells us that there are religious people who will go to hell (Matt. 7:21-23). I urge you to take the advice of Gamaliel. Do not fight against God. Be noble minded like those of Berea (Acts 17:11) by studying the scriptures daily. Be like Apollos who was eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures but still took instruction when he was in the wrong (Acts 18:24-26). Be like Paul, who continually put his body under subjection because he knew that he too could be disqualified (1 Cor. 9:27). I love you all!

In His service,
Steven Hugley