Tuesday, April 8, 2014

G for Gamaliel

G for Gamaliel
Unstoppable

Pic. Credit: A to Z Blog Challenge 2014
“If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Paul’s logic in Romans 8:31 was inspired, but it may have reflected his training as well.  Another great rabbi also believed this.

NAME: “Recompense of God”
DATE: 1st Century AD
IDENTIFICATIONS: Famous member of the Sanhedrin, teacher of Paul
STORY LINE: Advised the Sanhedrin to use moderation on the apostles
READ IT IN THE BIBLE:  Acts 5:17-42

Gamaliel was a Jewish scholar in the first century AD.  He had a particularly bright and eager student named Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:3) from Gamaliel Saul learned the Law and the traditions of the rabbis. Two influential Pharisaic rabbinical schools had evolved by this time, one by Hillel and the other by Shammai.  Gamaliel is considered to be the grandson of Hillel.

Gamaliel was not only a member of the Sanhedrin, but he served as its president during the reigns of Roman emperors Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius.

Once when the high priest hauled the apostles before the Sanhedrin and ordered them to quit preaching in Jesus’ name, Peter said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”  Incensed, the Sanhedrin wanted to kill the apostles until the cool-headed Gamaliel rose and advised,  “Keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men,  it will come to nothing;  but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it” (Acts 5:38,39).

Hudson Taylor delighted in saying, “God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.”

Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us?
Gamaliel said, “If it is of God, you cannot overthrow it.”

If you have clean hands and a pure heart, and if you have a green light from God, then no one will be able to keep you from accomplishing His work.  Rejoice in that, and live like it.

                      —Dr. Woodrow Kroll
                      (Former President and Bible Teacher, Back to the Bible)

Source: 
Confident Living Magazine
This post is posted as part of this years A to Z Blog Challenge 

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