Acts 5:33-42 The Work Of God.

The response of the apostate Jewish religious leadership to the apostolic witness could not be clearer-they were furious and wanted to kill them (v. 33). In the context of this council God raised up the Pharisee Gamaliel, “a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people” (v. 34). After commanding that the apostles be sent out of the council meeting, he warned the instigators to take heed, and with wisdom that could only come from God, told them that if God were on the side of the apostles then they would be found to be fighting God Himself (vv. 35-39). Even though we read that the council agreed with Gamaliel, they beat the apostles anyway, and still persisted in telling them not to speak in Jesus name (v. 40). This only caused the apostles to rejoice that they could suffer for His name, and they continued to preach (v. 41). “Daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (v. 42).