Bible Studies

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Gamaliel, being a Pharisee, was a highly-respected teacher (and enforcer) of the Old Testament Law, but never-the-less saw fit to caution the Counsel that was about to execute the apostles (1) for their public testimony concerning Jesus.

It was Gamaliel who had been the earlier teacher of Saul (2), later named the Apostle Paul, providing Paul with a full knowledge of Old Testament Scripture, going beyond what most of his contemporaries had received. It was this religious background, that prior to his own conversion, led Paul to believe that it was his divine calling in life to wipe the developing church off the face of the planet. The Pharisees could quote the existing Scripture backwards, but many of them failed to see what it had to say concerning the coming and atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Never-the less, God used Gamaliel’s practical wisdom to avoid a premature death of the apostles at the hands of the Jewish Sanhedrin.

“… Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are about to do with these men. For some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about 400 men joined him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee appeared in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished and all those who followed him were scattered. And so in the present case, I say to you, STAY AWAY from these men and LEAVE THEM ALONE, for IF the source of this plan or movement is MEN, it will be overthrown; but IF the source is GOD, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else YOU may be found FIGHTING AGAINST GOD (Acts 5: 35-39 NASB2020).”

To the surprise of many, Jesus spoke about such tolerance in the parable of the weeds (false doctrine and accompanying practices) being planted among the wheat (accurate doctrine) in the farmer’s field (3). The farmer’s servants asked him if he wanted them to uproot the sprouting weeds, but the farmer said no, in fear that they would tear up the wheat, as well. The farmer would allow both to grow together until the time of the harvest when the reapers would separate the two, retaining the good crop and destroying the other. We, as advancing disciples, are to take every opportunity to point out and to promote accurate teaching and practices, but should be careful when doing so not to throw the babe out with the wash water when dealing with the false doctrine and practices embraced by others.

To simply say, “This is not (or any longer) for me,” and then provide a Biblically-based explanation to those who have an ear to listen, would prove to be much more productive than by starting the conversation telling others how wrong you think they are.

At the end of the day (life), it’s not what you or they think or say that is going to matter, unless what you or they think or say, lines up with what God has to say! God makes the truth known, but then allows each individual to choose what he or she believes, inevitably reaping the benefits or consequences of the choices he or she makes. We as His ambassadors, should do the same.

There is a false sense of fellowship, reassurance, peace of mind, and security that one can have by following the crowd, going along with the flow, not rocking the boat. But when it comes to spiritual issues, Matt. 7: 13,14 reminds the advancing disciple that the majority of folks get spiritual issues WRONG.

Therefore, advancing disciples will inevitably find themselves swimming upstream, against the current of popular opinion concerning spiritual issues. It’s the doing so with “gentleness and respect (1Pet. 3: 15 NASB2020)” part, that many of us could do a better job of doing.

A diplomat learns how to deliver a clear message from the kingdom that he or she represents without firing up the inherit hostility that already exists.

Advancing disciples, AFTER having learned the policies (doctrines) of the Kingdom of God, are now called to be Christ’s ambassadors, while here in the devil’s world. One of the skills to mastering effective Christian diplomacy is to keep in mind that there was a time that the one we see in the mirror was just as lost, misguided, and GUILTY (4), as the ones with whom we now (should) desire to share the truth.

Don’t tell me you “love” someone and then not be concerned about their eternal destiny.

If someone, known or unknown to us, was about to walk down a set of stairs that you knew was defective and would cause them physical harm, we wouldn’t think twice about warning them. Yet, many “Christians” interact with people every day that need to hear the unadulterated Gospel Message and or edifying doctrine, but choose to remain silent when God gives them the opportunity to be used to either evangelize or to edify these same known or unknown people.

Jesus warns us of the consequences of such negligence in Luke 9: 26.

“For whoever is ashamed (embarrassed to speak) of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels (Luke 9: 26 NASB2020 parenthesis mine).”

We can go on and on for hours, talking about anything else, but the room goes dead quiet or the subject is changed when issues of spiritualty comes into the picture. In this the devil is well pleased.

Advancing disciples will learn soon enough that one cannot please God and always be a people pleaser at the same time. “. . . If I were still trying to please people, I would NOT be a bond-servant of Christ (Gal. 1: 10 NASB2020).”

Adam chose his relationship with the woman (Eve) over his relationship with God, and we know how that turned out for BOTH of them (5). The same thing can happen to us and to the people we favor, if in doing so, we choose fellowship with them over fellowship with Him.

No “good” thing is gained or lost by obeying God. Anything that comes between God and our walk with Him is not a “good” thing.

A guilty conscience is a good thing to have when it leads to confession of past and the forsaking of future sin.

But an uncalled-for guilty conscience can place one on on-going guilt trips from which God desires His children to be set free (6) Unresolved issues of the past can be like a ball and chain that will slow down one’s forward progress.

We have to get over it (the past), before we can get on with it (the present and future plan that God has in mind).

(1) Acts 5: 33 (2 )Acts 22: 3 (3) Matt. 13: 24-30 4) James 2: 10 (5) Gen. 3: 16-20 (6) John 8:32

End of Part Three

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