The Saturday after Reminiscere Sunday

5:34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 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; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

40 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. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Gamaliel was held in respect by the people, but there is a calculation to his reasoning which is in keeping with the ways of the world. Gamaliel does not seek to evaluate the apostles on the basis of their doctrine, but of their survival. He does not evaluate whether what they say is true, but whether the Lord will permit it to survive.

In the example of Gamaliel we see precisely the wrong way to deal with false teaching: Gamaliel blithely waits to see whether or not the Church would endure. But if one is even the slightest bit aware, it quickly becomes that ungodly doctrines may endure for centuries, beguiling many. Gamaliel’s path is one of soft persecution—beating the apostles, rather than killing them—and waiting to see what would happen. The apostles, having their consolation in Christ, care nothing for the assaults of the persecutors: they have a faith which cares little for the toleration of the world, for they do not seek to serve the world, but Christ Jesus. And what the Pharisees did to try to shame them causes God’s saints to rejoice.

Collect: O God, Who seest that of ourselves we have no strength: Keep us both outwardly and inwardly; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.