(8) And when they had brought them, they set them before the council.  And the high priest asked them, (28) saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name?  And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”  (29) But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.  (30) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.  (31) Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  (32) And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”  (33) When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.  (34) Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.  (35) And he said to them:  “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.  (36) For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody.  A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.  (37) After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.  (38) And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; (39) but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God.”  (40) And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  (41) So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.  (42) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. 

Luke, historian and physician – and gospel writer of the New Testament – wrote Acts. In our verses today we see how God has separated the church from the synagogue and the leaders of the synagogue have descended into a condition of severe reproach.  The crucifixion, and resurrection of our Lord has been witnessed to by the apostles and disciples of Christ Jesus and with the seal of the Spirit, many miracles were being worked.  To a man – even unto death –  the apostles were now committed to the gospel. The Sanhedrin was fully aware of what was going on in Jerusalem with the growth of the church but chose to look the other way until they finally arranged to have the apostles thrown into prison.  Miraculously, the apostles were freed by an angel and went directly to the temple to preach Christ crucified and risen.  The temple guards were sent to bring them to the Sanhedrin to answer why they disobeyed the gag order of the council.

It seems probable  the council of Jewish elders feared revenge or punishment for the murder of Christ Jesus but the arresting charge was that the apostles had not obeyed the chief priest to cease preaching the gospel. Peter’s response that men should obey God, not men, filled them with rage. After removing the apostles from the court many of the council urged death but Gamaliel, who was also the rabbinical teacher of St. Paul, argued for caution. Gamaliel warned that if the gospel was from God, not man, it would be impossible to overthrow it. His point was that NOTHING could hinder the hand of God.

Christ came to save the people – to reconcile man to God through remission of sin. This was not in man’s power.  The apostles declared the doctrine they preached is from God and they spoke by God’s command with the seal and ability of the Spirit. They suffered being beaten for their words but nothing was to stop these now committed men. The priests should have been moved and/or frightened but instead reacted in fury.  The Acts of the Apostles is a record not of the apostles but actually the acts of Christ Jesus through the instrument of faithful men and women.