Fighting Against God

Acts 5:34 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. 35 And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 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. 37 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. 38 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; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God."

Sometimes the wisdom of the world is correct. After all, everything about God is entirely logical and common-sensical, because God invented logic and common sense. When logic and common sense are applied, even by worldly men, they often arrive at opinions which are Biblical, even if unintentional – or even accidental.

Gamaliel is just such a man. At a time when the rulers of the Jews were attempting to stamp out the early church, and belief in Jesus as the Messiah, Gamaliel voiced rational truth that brought relief to both sides.

In a sense, what Gamaliel was saying was: “If it (Christianity,) flourishes, we’ll know God is in it.” That makes a lot of sense. By the same token, Gamaliel also said, “If it comes to nothing, we’ll know God was not in it.”

Since they were having such a difficult time stamping out the fire that would become The Church anyway, those listening to Gamaliel chose to accept and at least temporarily follow his suggestion. After all, Gamaliel was known to be a very wise man, and he was a teacher of the teachers of the laws of the Jews. He was well-respected. In fact, even Paul bragged about having been trained at the feet of Gamaliel, (though not in the normal context of bragging – it was stated more as an absurdity.)

So here’s the question we are left with: Did Christianity flourish? Another question is like it: Has anything EVER flourished as Christianity has flourished?

There are many logical and common-sensical arguments you could make on behalf of Biblical Christianity, and this is certainly one of them. But the real reason The True Church flourishes is not logic or common sense, it is the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the world. God is FOR the Church, and His Power in the Church is living proof of His abiding interest in and love for the Church. God loves His Bride, and He will not allow those who fight against His Bride to succeed. No matter the odds, Gamaliel was right, you cannot fight against God.

- Pastor Bill