Wednesday 26, August 2026

When folks need our counsel, they should anticipate balance, not bias. It doesn’t matter where their power lies; our calling is to serve them. This approach is exemplified by Gamaliel in Today’s Holy Nougat.

Acts of the Apostles 5:38-39 CEB

[38] Here’s my recommendation in this case: Distance yourselves from these men. Let them go! If their plan or activity is of human origin, it will end in ruin. [39] If it originates with God, you won’t be able to stop them. Instead, you would actually find yourselves fighting God!” His reasoning convinced the council.

The Recommendation

As a rhetorical genius, Gamaliel not only cited two prior cases, but he also justified his perspective. He cited two possible outcomes. The first aligned with the cases he had mentioned. If the apostles were, shall we say, ‘fly-by-night’ or ‘hurry-come-up’ leaders, their religious acts would not last. Any action against them would have been a waste of time and energy. Moreover, punishing the apostles would be bad for the religious leaders’ reputations – they still cared about appearances – and it would be counterproductive.

Gamaliel realised that punishing the apostles could also extend the life and popularity of their ‘cult’, if that was their status. The Sanhedrin feared the crowd’s reaction. If they perceived injustice toward the apostles, it would not bode well for the Jewish leaders. As leaders living under Pax Romana, that had political implications. The Sanhedrin needed to always maintain some semblance of order to maintain their power. It was not worth losing their power as a result of people who might not be genuine threats.

The second argument was equally important. Gamaliel opined that it was possible that the apostles really represented God. He might have been remembering the historic fight between Jacob and God in Genesis 32. That fight established Israel as a nation and Judaism as a religion, and though they were down, they were not out. If that were the basis of Gamaliel’s argument, the Sanhedrin could not refute it. And none of them wished to fly in the face of God. For, as Saul learned in Acts 9:5, it is hard to kick against the pricks.

Self-Check

In Gamaliel’s shoes, would we have considered the implications so carefully?

Deeper Dive

Gamaliel’s argument carries a very profound lesson for us as believers. It reminds us that evil flourishes where good people fail to act, while underscoring the importance of being balanced in our counsel. My belief is that Gamaliel began with the intent of supporting the apostles and other believers. Some critics suggest that he was actually a secret disciple of Jesus. Whether that was the case or not, Gamaliel feared YHWH. His argument sought to ensure that YHWH was central to any decision the Sanhedrin made. He did not give precedence to his personal opinion. Rather, it was the final thought.

He may not have known the apostles, but he knew the Sanhedrin, and he feared God. Therefore, his argument was logical enough to de-escalate the tension, but spiritually sound enough to remind the irate leaders of their loyalty to God. We ought to appropriate this methodology in our own contexts. Some folks will only be moved by reason; others are only desiring to please God. It doesn’t have to be either … or.

Reason and faith are both important, although faith should be our major emphasis. If we reflect on Y’shua’s many debates with the religious leaders, we will see where He applied logic in His arguments. Yet, there was always that profound spiritual element that kept God central to the conversation.

Finally, we note that Gamaliel never lost sight of his goal nor his faith. It may seem easier to simply live and let live, but God calls us to lift high the name of Jesus. That’s our goal as people who centre our belief in Christ. May others always find us full of balanced and godly counsel.

Point to Ponder

Gamaliel’s wisdom didn’t arise overnight. It derived from study and intentional practice. Let us do likewise.

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May all we seek be found in Christ