Lesson 354

(Lesson 354)(08-03-12) Acts 5:33-When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 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; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 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. 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, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: 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. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."

This lesson explains how the Jewish leaders were convinced by Gamaliel to ignore the Apostles, in hope that their message would soon fizzle out and disappear as had the pretenders who had arisen before them. They didn't realize that the divine gospel of Jesus Christ is the real deal and would eventually spread throughout the whole world.
It should be noted that the old law, the law Jesus fulfilled when He arose from the dead, that law the Jews so desperately tried to hold on to, is in many respects, the same law many wrongly apply to themselves and others today.

There are those who profess that one must live a perfectly righteous, sinfree life, in order to obtain eternal salvation of the soul. They are correct in one regard, one must be found absolutely sinless in order to be a part of the kingdom of God. However, that sinlessness does NOT come through our own, day to day, actions, or inactions. Absolute remission of ALL sin ONLY comes through that perfect righteousness imputed to us through the grace of God upon acceptance of the sacrifice He gave through Jesus Christ, the ONLY remitter of sin. Acts 12:4 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."