Gamaliel Was Right
by John Rogers
…if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. (Acts 5:38-39)
These were wise words by Gamaliel. No wonder he was held in honor by all the people. For if this was indeed God’s doing, if God was truly building his spiritual temple, the church, then man would not be able to oppose his work and win. For no man is stronger than God. The history of Israel proves this with the rebuilding of the physical temple in Ezra 5. For when the King gave orders for the work to stop, eventually God stirred his prophets and people to pick right back up where they left off. When God is building his temple, nothing can thwart his plans.
In Acts 5 we see many threats opposing God’s temple work. For one, demands were still coming from the officials to cease the spread of the gospel and teaching in the name of Jesus. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira snuck into the church. Sin that if left unaddressed would have spread through the body like gangrene. Also, arrests and imprisonments tried to shut up the apostles and their message.
But God would not yield. Not even for one moment. For just as God removed what threatened his peoples’ progress in his marvelous work of the Exodus (namely the red sea and Pharaoh’s army), God removed what sought to cease the progress of his church. He removed the sin in the Ananias family. He removed the prison doors that held the apostles. And after his children were unjustly beaten, our Father removed any fear of man and empowered his sent ones to return home rejoicing that they were “counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”
Gamaliel was right. Nothing will be able to overthrow the plans and undertakings of God. So as we look at the division of our nation right now or the militia movements in the Congo. We need to rest assured that nothing (no-thing) will be able to stop God from building his church and completing his plan for the fulness of time to unite all things in Christ—things in heaven and things on earth. Jesus said that he would build his church, and that not even the gates of hell would be able to prevail against it.
Sovereign Lord, who made heaven and earth and the sea and everything in them…We continue to ask, that as the Gentiles continue to rage, and the peoples continue to plot in vain, and kings of the earth continue to set themselves against you and against your Son. We ask that you would graciously grant us to speak your word with all boldness, while you with your mighty hand continue to grow your church and set up your kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Heal and let signs and wonders be performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. Cause us to speak your word with all boldness. And by your grace, let the seed of your word give new birth to those who receive your word by faith. I ask this according to the riches of your grace and in your relentlessness to build your church. In Jesus’ name, amen.
These articles supplement our church wide reading plan. To read the bible with us click here.
These were wise words by Gamaliel. No wonder he was held in honor by all the people. For if this was indeed God’s doing, if God was truly building his spiritual temple, the church, then man would not be able to oppose his work and win. For no man is stronger than God. The history of Israel proves this with the rebuilding of the physical temple in Ezra 5. For when the King gave orders for the work to stop, eventually God stirred his prophets and people to pick right back up where they left off. When God is building his temple, nothing can thwart his plans.
In Acts 5 we see many threats opposing God’s temple work. For one, demands were still coming from the officials to cease the spread of the gospel and teaching in the name of Jesus. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira snuck into the church. Sin that if left unaddressed would have spread through the body like gangrene. Also, arrests and imprisonments tried to shut up the apostles and their message.
But God would not yield. Not even for one moment. For just as God removed what threatened his peoples’ progress in his marvelous work of the Exodus (namely the red sea and Pharaoh’s army), God removed what sought to cease the progress of his church. He removed the sin in the Ananias family. He removed the prison doors that held the apostles. And after his children were unjustly beaten, our Father removed any fear of man and empowered his sent ones to return home rejoicing that they were “counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”
Gamaliel was right. Nothing will be able to overthrow the plans and undertakings of God. So as we look at the division of our nation right now or the militia movements in the Congo. We need to rest assured that nothing (no-thing) will be able to stop God from building his church and completing his plan for the fulness of time to unite all things in Christ—things in heaven and things on earth. Jesus said that he would build his church, and that not even the gates of hell would be able to prevail against it.
Sovereign Lord, who made heaven and earth and the sea and everything in them…We continue to ask, that as the Gentiles continue to rage, and the peoples continue to plot in vain, and kings of the earth continue to set themselves against you and against your Son. We ask that you would graciously grant us to speak your word with all boldness, while you with your mighty hand continue to grow your church and set up your kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Heal and let signs and wonders be performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. Cause us to speak your word with all boldness. And by your grace, let the seed of your word give new birth to those who receive your word by faith. I ask this according to the riches of your grace and in your relentlessness to build your church. In Jesus’ name, amen.
These articles supplement our church wide reading plan. To read the bible with us click here.
More from the blog:
A Taming of the Shrewd
January 19th, 2026
A few years ago, during a week when I was preparing to preach Genesis 23, I found myself one day bartering for a cup of coffee at Starbucks. I wanted a half-caffeinated cup of coffee, but all they could give me was a half-caffeinated americano. Well…I was not about to pay that extra forty cents. So I started haggling. I asked if I could get an americano for the same price as a regular cup of coffe...
Commit Fully
January 12th, 2026
At the ripe age of 7, I was entrenched in the world of gymnastics. Having the ability to do the splits was the least impressive thing my little body could do at the time. I spent hours at the gym practicing routines and conditioning, and convincing my parents to buy (yet another) leotard with sparkles. The beam, however, was my personal nightmare. My coach would say, “If you are going to do someth...
Keeping our Brothers
January 5th, 2026
“And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good.”― John Steinbeck, East of EdenTwo years ago, I went through a divorce. I felt so lonely. Going to church felt like I was walking around with a giant “D” hanging over my head and those who came in contact with me would catch the horrific disease of “divorce”. In perspective, that was further from the truth and there were many people, espe...
Recent
Archive
2025
February
March
April
September
October
November
2024
March
April
September
October
2023
April
May
July
August
No Comments