Still Here After 2000 Years [Acts 5]

34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time.35And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men.36"For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.37"After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38"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;39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."40They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.41So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Apparently, the Jewish leaders were in the habit of seeing the leaders of their competition killed and their followers dispersed. Gamaliel, a well respected Pharisee, wisely counseled the Council to leave Peter and the apostles alone since their leader, Jesus, was also dead. He even named the leaders of two other religious movements and explained how their followers had disappeared. Then, he said something that turned out to be prophetic during the next 2000 years;
"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." (v. 38-39) Here we are today as witnesses that Jesus and His followers did not just fade away. All these years later, His followers can be found all over the world sharing His story wherever they are and awaiting His return.


About Jesus
God of our fathers raised Jesus up from the dead
He is the One whom God exalted to His right hand
Prince
Savior
Granter of repentance to Israel
Forgiver of sins
Jesus preached by the Apostles as the Christ (Messiah)


We praise you that our Messiah is still guiding His followers after all these years. Cause us to be like Peter and the Apostles who said, "We must obey God rather than men."
Beth Warlick, 4/20/2009