Bible Study - Acts 5: 34-42

Read Acts chapter 5 verses 34-42

The young Christian Church was faced with a severe crisis. There was a strong possibility that the leaders would be put to death, because they continued to teach in the name of Jesus. Now we hear of an unexpected ally, Gamaliel, a highly respected Jewish teacher.

Gamaliel did not believe in Jesus, but he was prepared to be open to God's Spirit, and to accept that this new Christian movement might indeed originate from God. We can believe that God worked through Gamaliel, just as he often works through people who do not believe in him as we do. For example, Jesus highlighted the faith of the Roman Centurion, who was from a very different religious tradition (Luke 7:1-10).

As a result of Gamaliel's wise intervention in the proceedings, the apostles were allowed to go free, and to continue teaching in the name of Jesus.

As we seek to build up the Church and to do God's will in the world, it is good to seek allies. Those allies may not believe exactly what we do, but they may be impressed by our faith, and may even become Christians as a result.

Quite clearly Gamaliel was impressed by the apostles, by their knowledge of the Scriptures, by their sincerity and by their willingness to suffer for Jesus' sake (see verse 41). We should also note that Gamaliel and the apostles were united by one important belief - that God's will cannot be thwarted (verse 39).

Questions

Are there ways in which I might be able to work more constructively with people from outside my religious tradition?

How strongly do I believe that God's will cannot be thwarted? Am I every opportunity to ensure that his will is done?

Prayer

In the light of this reading I invite you thoughtfully to pray the Lord's Prayer.

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