Gamaliel, Hot Heads, and Pan Flashes.

July 28, 2025.

Introduction.

Early on in the book of Acts, the apostles were hauled in because of their disruptive preaching,

and after they told the council that they were going to obey God, and not them, the anger that

had driven the rulers in Jerusalem to murder the Lord Jesus boiled over.

They were about to do the same thing to the apostles.

Fortunately, they had a cooler head in their midst.

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

Then stood thereup, 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, and said unto them, ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do

as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theodos, boasting himself to be somebody, to whom a number of men,

about 400, joined themselves, who was slain, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered,

and brought to naught. 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. And now I say unto you, He also perished, and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

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 naught. But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest happily ye be

found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed, and when they had called the apostles

and beaten them, they commanded them that they should not speak in the him they agreed, and when they had called the apostles and beaten them,

they commanded them that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. Acts 5, 33 through 40.

The counsel that Gavalu gave here demonstrates that the disruption arising from the preaching of

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