The Sponsor/Priest Gamaliel

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 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. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 5:34-42

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12

Just as the leadership was about to make a fatal mistake their sponsor, Gamaliel, a famous lawyer and Rabbi stood up to counsel the brethren to not take this step and fight against God. His counsel was to leave them alone for if they were not of God they would fail and eventually die off or disband, and if they were of God there was nothing that the leadership could do to stop it. So the Jewish leadership called the disciples back in, beat them, and then commanded them to not speak in the name of Jesus and then let them go. The disciples response was in true recovery style – they rejoiced that they had been counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus and then they went back to work sharing publically in the temple and in every house and they refused to stop teaching, preaching, and healing in the name of Jesus.

Prayer for Today: God help us when it is our turn to suffer for You that we will not be turned away from what You have asked us to do. We pray for wisdom, diplomacy, and firmness of recovery to do what You have called us to do. Thank You that we too can suffer for you when in harmony with you.