Acts 5:33-42
When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
As I serve churches, helping them call new pastors, I often use the line, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” It gets a chuckle – which is the intent. But although I’m not from the government, I am a representative of the Texas District of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. And I do have some helpful information and insights to share. Sometimes I even have advice to offer. I try to make it clear that I am there to help them, and that I may have some wisdom and insight that they would find helpful.
Most often they gladly listen and follow the advice I offer. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes church leaders think they know better and chart their own course. Some completely bypass any help from me or any other District staff. Others listen politely and simply ignore the advice. Still others take a more incremental and cautious approach.
When Gamaliel offers his advice to the Jewish leaders it is partially followed. That is true even though Luke tells us that they “took his advice.” But then, “they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.” Gamaliel’s counsel was to “keep away from these men and let them alone.” Beating them hardly seems to be keeping away from them. They apparently felt they had to do something to show how large and in charge they were.
Only they weren’t large or in charge in the face of God. Gamaliel had it right: “If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.” They didn’t believe their actions were actually opposing God.
There are likely too many places in our lives where we are much like the Jewish leaders. We take the advice of godly and mature believers advisedly. We pick and choose what of God’s word we will obey and believe. We go part way down the path of discipleship. But we keep our eye on the escape routes along the way.
Better we should listen to all God has said, align our lives with his laws and ways, and seek his mercy and forgiveness when we fail. We have been redeemed. That should mean something when it comes to obeying the One who has redeemed us.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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