Who Was Gamaliel?

   The book of Acts tells of the infancy of the church of Christ. In this record, we will find certain individuals who were not Christians that interact with members of the church. Gamaliel is one such character that we come across as we study Acts. He is in reality a very minor character who had an impact on Apostles as they stood before the Jewish council in Acts 5.

Who Was Gamaliel?

Gamaliel is described as a Pharisee and doctor of the law. He was a man with a good, and respected reputation (cf. Acts 5:34). We are told later that His influence and teaching helped to develop a young Saul of Tarsus. “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day” (Acts 22:3). What we can gather is that Gamaliel influenced many.

What Did He Do?

In Acts 5:27-33 we find the apostles standing before the council where they were reminded that they had been told not to teach in Jesus’ name. However, the brethren reminded the council that their obedience was owed to God rather than men. Peter and the others continued at that very instance to preach Christ and Him crucified to the council. The result was similar in a way to the Jews who first heard the Gospel in Acts 2. They were cut to the heart, but rather than asking the right question (cf. Acts 2:37), they were intent on killing the Apostles. However, when the council was at a fever pitch, one member stood up and reasoned with his counterparts.

And he(Gamaliel) said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do. For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out 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 dispersed, and came to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. 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 be overthrown: but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God.

(Acts 5:35-39)

               Gamaliel, the Pharisee reminded the council that Theudas came acting like he was somebody. He gathered some, and they were scattered in the end. Another, Judas of Galilee, drew some followers, but they were dispersed in the end. Gamaliel gave his hearers just two examples of those who came and went. There were certainly more before and more after. His point was to show that things have a way of finding themselves out over time. Gamaliel’s perspective was that false teachers come and go, it is God’s job to overthrow or bless. Jesus said something similar in Luke 6:43-45.

For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

He explains that fruit comes as God made it, after its kind. Good fruit comes from a good tree. Corrupt trees cannot bring good fruit. It may look as if the tree is healthy and may gather men to it, but in the end, corruption is found out and destroyed. Gamaliel instructed the Council to wait and see, for if this was of God, it would be impossible to overthrow. If it was a good tree, it would produce good fruit.

We are never told in the Scriptures if Gamaliel became a Christian, but we are told of his wise counsel in this passage. His reasoning was correct. God had spoken of a kingdom that would come and would never be overthrown.

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

(Daniel 2:44)

Gamaliel recognized that there must have been something about what was happening in Jerusalem. There were people obeying the Gospel of Christ. There were men of humble beginnings speaking.

What Can the Church Learn Today From Gamaliel?

            The church of Christ cannot be overthrown. Why do brethren fail to understand this? Many have unawares weakened the faith of the immature and encouraged them to depart from the faith. Our approach should be similar to Gamaliel who was willing to see what would occur. This does not mean that we can sit idly by and refuse to share the Gospel with the lost. We cannot simply hope for the results with no action on our part to carry out the work (cf. Mark 16:15-16; Matt 28:19-20).

We have to work, and when we do, we find comfort in the reality of God’s promise. God is faithful and is working in and through His people. The things that are not of God will fail. We need not look at the groups of men who are here today and gone tomorrow.  We must produce good fruit. We must look to the God who is yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Grace and Peace,

Ryan