Gamaliel’s Warning

   “And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” (Acts 5:38-39)

   The apostles Peter and John had met a lame man at the temple. God used them to heal him. The miracle attracted attention, and Peter used the occasion to preach about Jesus, who had been crucified and buried not long before, but rose again. Many people received Jesus as their Saviour as a result.

   These events also attracted the attention of the Jewish council. Peter and John were arrested, although they had broken no laws. The council told them not to speak or teach in Jesus’ name. They went back to their company and told them what the chief priests and elders had said. They prayed for God’s help, God answered, and they continued to tell people about Jesus.

   The Jewish council arrested them again. An angel opened the prison doors, released them, and told them to go to the temple and teach, which they did. The council took them into custody a third time, saying, “Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” (Acts 5:28)

   The apostles replied, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) They were law-abiding, but by telling them not to speak or teach about Jesus, the council was taking on authority that belongs only to God. They were basically saying, “Don’t do what God says. Do what we say.” Thus they were fighting God. Gamaliel, a highly-respected Pharisee, warned them not to do that, as our verse says.

   People have the right to disregard God’s word in their personal lives. Many do. Leaders have the right to disregard God’s word in their personal lives and political conduct. Again, many do. Yet when leaders try to mandate citizens to disregard God’s word, they are doing what the Jewish council did. They are saying, “Don’t do what God says. Do what we say.” That’s when leaders are fighting God.

   California AB 957, concerning child custody, was an example of leaders fighting God. Section 3011 (a) (1)(B) says in part, “As used in this paragraph, the health, safety, and welfare of the child includes, among other comprehensive factors, a parent’s affirmation of the child’s gender identity or gender expression.” So if 13-year old Tom wanted to call himself a girl, parents would have been required to affirm his self-identity or risk losing custody.

   Now if mom believed Matthew 19:4, where Jesus says God “…made them male and female,” she would have had to call God the Son a liar or risk losing custody because Tom says he’s a girl. Also contrary to Exodus 20:12 which says, “Honour thy father and thy mother:” she would also be deprived of parental authority to guide or counsel Tom, even if he is gender-confused. Don’t people get confused about things on occasion? On two counts, AB 957 would have mandated citizens to disregard God’s word. In other words, “Don’t do what God says. Do what we say.”

   Governor Newsom vetoed AB 957.

    Psalm 62:11 says, “…power belongeth unto God.” Leaders need to realize that a) they do not hold ultimate power. God does; b) they are temporary stewards of power; c) they will account to God for what they did with the power God entrusted to them; and d) leaders who forget God encourage citizens to do so. Psalm 9:17 warns, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

   2 Samuel 23:3 says, “…He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” Pray for our leaders to fear God, not fight Him. To see how to receive Jesus as your personal Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

      Brian Miller 9/21/2023