November 14, 2014

Acts 5:33-42 Gamaliel

33 When they heard this they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gama′li-el, a teacher of the law, held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you do with these men. 36 For before these days Theu′das arose, giving himself out to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was slain and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him; he also 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 men, 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!”

40 So they took his advice, 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 at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Rabbi Gamaliel
Rabbi Gamaliel

Towards the end of Acts Saint Luke recounts Saint Paul defending himself in Jerusalem in front of the Jewish leaders and giving them his impeccable thelogical pedigree, which included being taught by the famous Rabbi Gamaliel. 

“I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cili′cia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gama′li-el, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all are this day.” (Acts 22:3)

Gamaliel in his own right was a highly respected 1st century rabbinic authority on the Sanhedrin, but he was also the grandson of the famous Hillel, and both were known for their wisdom, balance and moderation. So the story recounted here fits what we know historically about the character of the man. He died around 50 AD.

What had enraged the members of the Sanhedrin was the defiant apostolic witness that “we must obey God rather than men.” The religious leaders saw themselves as more than just men; the God of Israel worked through the institutions He Himself had established through the Law of Moses, and they had the responsibility of hearing and interpreting that Law for the people. They were the interpreters and spokesmen for God. To defy them was to defy God and be guilty of blasphemy.

Gamaliel did not disagree with this fundamental assertion, but he drew on another equally powerful strain within Israel: God’s sovereignty. Everyone—including the leaders—must be ready for God’s unexpected action breaking in to the ordered patterns of their religious life.  To forget that is to risk being a “theomakhos,” a fighter against God. They should take a “wait and see” approach. If the apostles are not of God, their project will fail as so many others have before them. 

The Sanhedrin backs away from executing the apostles but beats them anyway for good measure and orders them once again not to speak in the name of Jesus. And once again the apostles defy the order, strangely strengthened by being “dishonored for the Name.”

At Saint Vladimir’s Seminary

I have a full day of meetings today with the Board of Trustees at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary. Metropolitan Tikhon heads to Washington, DC today for a diocesan clergy gathering and diocesan assembly.