Acts 5:17-42 – The Apostles persecuted.
- “Insecurity makes our decisions insecure”
- Here again we see how information we receive is significantly affected by the motive of our heart
- Firstly the Sadducees who during the reign of King Agrippa held all but three of the positions in the Sanhedrin were jealous.
- What was happening did not fit either their theology or they politics.
- This message the Apostles were speaking about promoted the resurrection – something the Sadducees did not believe in.
- The message promoted a new King; something that would threaten their cozy relationship with the Romans.
- On the other hand was Gamaliel.
- Rabban Gamaliel the Elder had huge credibility.
- He was the first to receive the title Rabban instead of Rabbi meaning ‘my master, my great one’. Rabban means ‘our master, our great one.'
- He was the grandson of Hillel [some of who’s 7 laws of exegesis Jesus used].
- It was said of Gamaliel by his peers that; When Rabban Gamaliel the elder died, the glory of the Torah came to an end; and purity and holiness came to an end. [Misha Sotah 9:15].
- Gamaliel whose heart was less motivated by politics and perhaps less cluttered by the need to his protect theological viewpoint; was much more secure.
- He tells all that if this is not of God it will go away; if it is of God it is best not to fight it.
- Fighting this movement would mean fighting God.
- How many leaders have found themselves in a juxtaposition with the Holy Spirit because of their own insecurities. Scared they may be wrong, they therefore are not able to trust God to fight His own battles.
- My insecurity means I will make poor decisions about the things that happen around me and I will be unable to stand upon them for long.
- As a leader of myself and others I need to pray today for a security in God that allows me to make right choices.
I must say this is absolutely true. The wisdom shown my gammilial (?) is something to aspire to achieve. Amazing thinking!
ReplyDeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteWhat a timely word! Couldn't have come at a better time seeing as I'm in the valley of decision. Bless you Sir and the work you do for our Father.