Gamaliel
A doctor of the law
Gamaliel was a well-respected Pharisee read about in the book of Acts. The book of Acts takes place not too long after the crucifixion of Christ. Gamaliel wasn’t sure if Jesus was the Christ [Savior]; his reasoning was this:
• If Jesus isn’t the Savior, His teaching will fade away. [As we know, it did not.]
• If Jesus is the Christ, God will establish the words of Jesus and the teaching will spread. [This is exactly what happened.]
• If it’s God, you don’t want to find yourself fighting against The Almighty God Himself; that’s a battle you won’t win.
Acts 5:34-39, 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; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36 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 naught. 37 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. 38 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 naught: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
With regards to Judaism, all false doctrines eventually fell by the wayside, but the teachings of Jesus Christ didn’t fall by the wayside they grew and flourished, even with the Romans helping the Hebrews out by declaring the teaching of Christ should be called Christianity instead of Judaism.
As a result believers in Christ stopped engaging the Hebrews as they once did and the Hebrews kept the name of God’s vineyard, Judaism. Even though it wasn’t their’s to keep anymore. The lack of engagement doesn’t help the Hebrews; it hurts them because they’re not hearing the truth. The Hebrews of today are growing up thinking they’re Jews and are not. The Jews of today are growing up thinking they are Christians and are not. It’s time to get this right!
John was one of the apostles Gamaliel was referring to, John was a Hebrew and a Jew, one of the twelve disciples. John was preaching Judaism in the Jewish synagogues. This was before the Romans decreed the followers of the Jewish Savior, Jesus Christ, should be called Christians.
It was always part of God’s plan to bring believers into His family regardless of the flesh. God’s family follows God’s one true [fold]religion, Judaism. [John 10:16, And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and One Shepherd.] If a man’s ancestry guaranteed his salvation, there wouldn’t be any need for the Law of Moses. Think about it…
John 10:26-30, But ye believe not, because ye are not of My sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. 29 My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are One.
Jesus is talking to the Hebrews that don’t believe in Him. And when Jesus is referring to “My sheep hear My voice,” He is referring to Hebrews and Gentiles alike that through faith partake in His [fold]religion. No man is able to pluck God’s children from His hand because the Holy Ghost in them will let them know the truth when they hear it.
