The Mistakes of Gamaliel “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; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39). Reasonable Level-Headed Sensible Balanced He was an appeaser He was a compromiser He was a fence-straddler He was indecisive He refused to take a stand He declined to acknowledge the obvious “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” (Acts 5:40). Gamaliel A Pharisee, and an influential member of the Sanhedrin Council. Gamaliel had been one of Paul’s teachers when he was a Jewish student of the Law (Acts 22:3). History says he died about A.D. 52. A Teacher in Israel ~ John 3:10 Knew the Scriptures ~ John 5:39 Jesus taught Openly ~ John 18:20-21

The Mistakes of Gamaliel He made a False Comparison (Acts 5:36-37). Theudas Judas Jesus Krishna Mohammed Confucius Gautama Buddha

The Mistakes of Gamaliel He made a False Comparison (Acts 5:36-37). He used a False Guideline (Acts 5:38-39). Jesus is the Son of God One Disciple Hundreds of Disciples The church is Measured by Scriptures The church is still the church Famous Unknown The church is still the church Small Large

The Mistakes of Gamaliel He made a False Comparison (Acts 5:36-37). He used a False Guideline (Acts 5:38-39). He Reached a False Conclusion (Acts 5:38). “When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”(Matthew 27:24). Fence-Straddlers “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, how long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). Fence-Straddlers “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” (Acts 5:38).

The Mistakes of Gamaliel . . . prevented him from doing He made a False Comparison (Acts 5:36-37). He used a False Guideline (Acts 5:38-39). He Reached a False Conclusion (Acts 5:38). . . . prevented him from doing what his student did, Acts 22:16.

Crucify Him, Crucify Him What Will You Do? “. . . what then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22) Crucify Him, Crucify Him