The Gamiliel Effect
Nothing withstands the test of time quite like the truth. Truth will always win, no matter what we may say or do. Recently, I have been reminded of the prophetic words of an ancient scroll and a 1st century lawyer that both conveyed this premise well.
After Jesus’s death, resurrection and ascension to heaven, the apostles were left to endure their own personal persecution. But before their eventual demise, some of them were brought before the Jewish court. Gamiliel, a first century, highly respected teacher of the law stood to address his colleagues about the defendants. He could have engaged in a lengthy intellectual squabble about the authenticity of the apostles’ new ministry and the supposed offenses they committed. However, he refrained from what could’ve been a well-crafted oratory, further denouncing the ministry of Jesus Christ. Instead, Gamiliel reasoned that time would tell.
As Peter and the other apostles stood on trial before the Sanhedrin Council, Gamiliel rose to speak to the court. He reminded them about rebel leaders of the past, referring to Theodus and Judas (not Iscariot) of Galilee. Gamiliel pointed out that those men also mounted revolts that eventually failed and all the insurgents were put to death.
Then Gamiliel goes a step further. He appealed for the apostles’ protection, not because he loved or greatly admired them, but because of his knowledge about past events and a belief about what the future would reveal. He argued that if the Christianity movement, which the apostles were forbearers of, was a fraud then it too would fail. He surmised that it would fade and die out just like previous rebellions and their disgraced leaders. But more importantly, he stated that if Christianity was real and truly of God, it would last and nothing could ever destroy it. Here’s what he said:
“And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” —Acts 5:38–39 KJV
And that is precisely what has happened. Over 2000 years later, Christianity has not gone away. In fact, it has steadily grown and progressed all over the earth, despite what one might think, hear or see. Years before Gamiliel spoke his prophetic words; the Prophet Isaiah proclaimed the coming of the Messiah. In the Isaiah text, the most complete, most well-preserved of all the Dead Sea Scrolls, Christ’s birth is foretold hundreds of years in advance (see Isaiah 9:6-7). The life of Jesus Christ, His ministry and purpose for coming (our salvation) isn’t up for debate, neither is the Bible. God’s Word has been here from the beginning and it remains. It does not stammer, studder nor lose its’ all-encompassing Power to interpretive litigation. And Gamiliel unknowingly showed that God’s word could not be lost in any court’s judicial deviation. No defense is necessary for God’s unchanging Word. It has withstood the test of time, just as Gamiliel said it would.
Photo a tributed to: http://themasterslight.blogspot.com/
