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Gamaliel's Counsel (The Need To Make A Decision) Acts 5.32-42 Introduction:
The Bible speaks of heeding wise counsel, Proverbs
1.5; 19.21. Wise means
intelligent. Counsel is instruction,
learning, doctrine. We need to be
careful of who we listen to because there is also foolish counsel, Proverbs
21.30. I)
The Need To Decide vs. Indecision A)
Why do people not make decisions? 1.
The matter does not matter to them. It
is deemed insignificant. (Which
parking place, what to eat, what to wear, etc) 2.
We don’t know what the right decision is.
There are times we simply do not know. In this case we need to do our
homework. 3.
We are afraid to making a commitment.
Can’t decide what school to go to, to purchase a car or house, etc. 4.
We know what to do but don’t like the right choice.
B)
In some cases we can get by not making a choice. 1.
Let somebody else make it for us. Noah
is getting to decide where we eat because the others are gone. 2.
Procrastinate, wait until tomorrow. Therefore,
we are deciding by not deciding. C)
In some cases we are the only ones that can make the decision. 1.
Whether to obey the Gospel or not is personal and your decision. 2.
Whether to live as a Christian is also your decision. II)
Background To Our Text A)
Earlier events in Acts 5. 1.
Anannias and Sapphira were killed by lying to God,
vv. 1-11. 2.
The Apostles were working miracles on Solomon’s porch,
v. 12 3.
People from other cities were bringing the sick and demon possessed to 4.
The Apostles were arrested, imprisoned but released by angel of the Lord, vv.
17-19. 5.
The Apostles go back to the temple and start preaching again, v. 20ff. 6.
Once again they are arrest and this time they are brought before the High Priest,
v. 27. 7.
They were told not to preach any more concerning Jesus but they were determined
to obey God rather than men, vv. 29ff. B)
They then put the apostles outside. 1.
Why? So they could hide what was about to be said, vv.
33-34. 2.
People will try to hide what they are ashamed of, 1
Thessalonians 5.5-7 3.
Contrast this with the openness of the Apostle’s preaching in the market
places or Jesus teaching openly to the people. III)
Gamaliel’s Wise Counsel A)
Be careful, Acts 5.35 1.
This was serious matter. If we were to list serious mattes we could say piloting
an airplane, performing open heart surgery, driving a car, etc. 2.
The Gospel is serious because it affects our soul. 3
There are two possiblities with the Gospel.
a. It is true – if so, John
12.48. If it is true and we obey it then we will be
saved. If it is true and we reject it then we will be lost.
b. It is false – we believe a lie—deceived, mislead, and lost.
4.
So how do we know? By the evidence presented! B)
A Look at the evidence 1.
Gamaliel recounted the destruction of earlier false teachers, vv. 36-37. 2.
The truth will win out. False
prophets will be exposed while true prophets will be right all the time. 3.
Although not specifically mentioned in this passage we have the prophecies and
their fulfillment. 4.
Look at those in our life time that claimed to of been sent by God.;
Jehovah Witnesses False Prophets, Jim Jones, Robert Tilton, Jimmy Swaggart, etc.
C)
God will be victorious, v. 39 1.
The over all theme in Revelation is God will be victorious. 2.
God never fails is accomplishing His purpose, Romans
16.20. IV)
What Was Unwise A)
They did not look at the evidence 1.
Miracles could not be denied. The resurrection was not denied The
death of Anannias and Sapphira was well known, the healing of the sick and
casting out of demons were all seen by the people. 2.
But these events were ignored. B)
His advice was the be neutral, v. 38 1.
To decided to not decide is to decide for evil, 1
Kings 18.21. 2.
The same goes for us today. To be indifferent or non-committal is to side with
satan. 3.
Why do some decide to not decide today?
a. The love the praise of men more than the praise of God, Matthew
10.32-33
b. Because of family members, Matthew
10.37-39.
c. Because they are cowards,
Revelation 21.8
d. Because they love the passing pleasure of sin,
Hebrews 3.13; 11.25
e. Because they do not love the truth, John
3.19-21
f. Because of monetary reasons (the cost),
Acts 19.24-27
g. Because they don’t look beyond today, Hebrews
9.27 Conclusion:
Gamaliel’s counsel had a element of truth to it but it was wrong.
One can not take a neutral stand with God.
Either you are a servant of God or of satan.
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