Acts-Ac.5:12-39 “Signs”

“For if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:/ But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” (vv.38-39)

 The high priest presiding over the council (with all the senate of the children of Israel in attendance) was determined to put a stop with all their might the hubbub created by the nascent church. During this conclave of worthies one Pharisee named Gamaliel and a man of no mean repute, stood up to warn them which forms the key verse.

Being a doctor of law and well versed in the Holy Writ he was paraphrasing the Isaiah verse,”No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” (Is.54:17). He also proved the truth contained in the verse with some current events that man was ever engaged fighting shadows when God has decided another course.

Isaiah was not speaking for the nation of Israel since they had shown that they were not worthy. If it was not the case would they have seized the apostles for preaching the good news? Peter and other apostles spoke in defense, “We ought to obey God rather than men./ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree./ Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins./ And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” (5:29-32). How did they take it? “When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.” The elders of the nation of Israel sitting in judgment held the truth in unrighteousness. This was a sign apparent and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit validated it by choosing the weak and foolish instead, to deliver the eternal word to the world.

The signs of the times is not in isolation but are arrayed against the testimony in heaven. What are they?

Firstly the word of God or the Law that empowers the everlasting covenant between God and Man. “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.”

secondly “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him./For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.” Ro.6:9-10-ESV)

Thirdly all the promises of God are yea in his Son. Thus the signs from before the world are consistent. The slain Lamb before the foundation of the world to the throne of God and of the Lamb serve like a rest frame to judge the world. It is thus the prophesy of Isaiah has bypassed the nation of Israel because of their disbelief . It concerned the church instead. For the same reason all events, places and persons serve as stand-in for the Son and his ministry of reconciliation.

We see fellows of the mold of Theudas who imagine they can thwart the Salvation plan of God by assembling a base , made up of sons of Belial, all of them and shall be brought to nought. Their activism smells very much of brawn and without grace from above.

 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

³³ When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

³⁴ Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

³⁵ And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

³⁶ For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

³⁷ After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

³⁸ And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

³⁹ But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.