Acts 5: If It Is Of God, You Cannot Overthrow It

ACTS 5:34-42

Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.
And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.
For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.
And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;
but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

In Acts 5 we see that ‘the honeymoon is over’ and the world rises up to quash the rise of this ‘rebellion’. News of the healing of the lame man has spread quickly and come to the attention of the religious rulers. We also see the first shoots of disunity entering the nascent church. Here is the first mention in Acts of four words: satan, deceive, liar and money and two followers of the disciples are struck down as a result. Ananias and his wife lied to the Holy Spirit and paid the price. ‘So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.’ (Acts 5:11)

And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
ACTS 5:12-14

Naturally, the religious elite became worried at this development and sought to suppress it by throwing the apostles into prison.

But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,
“Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
ACTS 5:19-20
Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be.
So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
ACTS 5:25-26

We are being shown the Holy Spirit at work… and in this we see the spirit reality of a life bound in Christ. If we are following Jesus, many will come against or dismiss that Christlife or will attempt to deny it, holding any disciple in captivity because it threatens their unbelief. By holding fast to the Holy Spirit the chains of captivity are broken and trust in Christ takes you back to the temple; the House of God.

The truth is that difficulties will come, freedom in Christ is constantly under threat not only from outside but from within us, from others and from ourselves. I can do nothing of myself, I must rely completely on the Holy Spirit.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
GALATIANS 2:20

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20

Jesus Christ sets the captives free and holding fast to His Holy Spirit keeps us in a right relationship with Him, whatever the world may try to make otherwise.

Gamaliel (his name means ‘my recompenser is God’) advises the Pharisees to be cautious. He is believed to be the same Gamaliel who instructed Paul and appears to be a man of wisdom, and while not committing to one side or the other speaks truth when he says “but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” Despite being beaten the disciples rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’ name.

Such things occur in the life of every saint. Let us therefore also rejoice as His disciples at whatever we encounter, for we know Jesus Christ, remembering that it is ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts. ZECHARIAH 4:9

NOT BY MIGHT — Robin Mark

A CLOSING WORD from MAYA ANGELOU
There is a whole world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure the truth.

LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION HERE…

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COMING NEXT… #555 HIS COMPASSIONS FAIL NOT