The Book of Acts ~ Study Twenty-Four

"The Opposite Game"


Acts 5:27-42 (NLT) Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. “Didn’t we tell you never again to teach in this man’s name?” he demanded. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”
   But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”
   When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them. But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while. Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men! Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.
   “So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”
   The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.
   The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”


Nothing was going to stop the spread of the gospel message of Christ. The Chief Priest and his cronies were furious now. They were so worked up that they wanted to kill these men who fearlessly proclaimed the Name of Jesus. The apostles were arrested again and this time they were beaten just like Jesus was. Out of all this hatred and violence came the voice of reason from a member of this High Council. Little did he know how God was going to use him for the advancement of the infant church.


You see God uses all kinds of ways to reach His goal. His goal is to bring glory and honor to the Name of Jesus and through that Name bring people to a lasting relationship with Him. 


This voice of reason came from a man named Gamaliel. He was a Pharisee and a Doctor of the Law. Not only was he a Pharisee he was also had the rare title of "Rabban" which means "master; teacher" (used as a term of address and title of respect for a person ranking higher than a rabbi). (See NIV Pocket Bible Dictionary) He was the Rabbis' Rabbi. (FYI It is believed that the Apostle Paul was a student of his) 


Rabban Gamaliel knew that if this band of followers of Jesus were from God then there was nothing that could stop them. He also believed that if they weren't from God then they would disband and the buzz would die out eventually. More than likely he believed the latter would happen. I wonder why he didn't speak up when Jesus was being tried and eventually killed. Could it be that he expected that if Jesus was killed His followers would disband? He knew that didn't work but maybe he hoped that it would eventually. The Apostles lives were saved by what he said. 


1 Corinthians 1:26-28 (NLT) Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.


Rabban Gamaliel was considered the wisest person Israel knew at the time. He looked down on these followers of a mere Rabbi. He considered himself over Rabbi Jesus and saw to His death along with the other "wise" men of Israel. But look, God has proven that Rabban Gamaliel, though educated and high up politically, was used by Him for His perfect plan. 


James 2:5 (NLT) Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?


According to the world view those who have given up everything to follow Jesus are considered weak. The goal preached to many, by commercials, speeches of politicians, movie stars and talk-show hosts, is that we can have it all if we only set our minds on the things we really want. Even some "Christian" preachers promote this kind of thinking. God's Word teaches differently. It teaches that our treasures aren't from any store or "think big" guru.


Luke 12:32-34 (NLT) "So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
   Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."


That's crazy talk from the world's perspective. From an eternal perspective its golden. It's like playing "The Opposite Game". Remember that one? If someone said one thing you did the opposite. Well, the things Jesus has taught us is opposite of what the world tells.


The world says hate your enemies. Jesus says love your enemies. The world says live so that you won't die. Jesus says die so that you will live. The world says give when it feels good. Jesus says to give everything. We are to live opposite lives. 


How about you? Are you living an opposite life or is your life indistinguishable from the world's view?


Does any of this make sense? What is your view? Are you willing to lay down your expectations for Jesus'? Are you willing to take up His plan and crumple up your own? 


Rabban Gamaliel understood that God was God but Gamaliel limited himself to what the books he studied from said. He thought he knew better. God used Gamaliel's knowledge but not in the way Gamaliel intended. 


We, who follow Jesus, must lay down the world's wisdom and take up an eternal heavenly wisdom. Our expectations in this life must be released and replaced with God's expectations. All we think that is important isn't what this world offers, it's the treasure of eternal life and love stored up for us to enjoy in heaven.


Are you ready to lay it all down and play "The Opposite Game" with the world? Hey, I know who wins in the end. Do you?