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You Have To Testify
quences. You cannot be afraid to speak up about God even if it means losing your best friend, having to each lunch alone, or not being invited to social events.
God always has someone willing to stand against opposi- tion. There was a Pharisee named Gamaliel who was a well known and respected teacher who stood to speak to the Sanhedrin (vs. 34). This man had just as much to lose as the apostles for speaking up about this matter; for he was a teacher of the law. He pleads for the Sanhedrin to hold off on killing the apostles for dis- obeying their command not to teach about Jesus.
Gamaliel reminds them of an uprising that took place before but the leader was killed and the follow- ers disbursed (vs. 36). This same thing happened again with a man named Judas; he was killed and his followers scattered (vs. 37). Gamaliel establishes history by retelling these events as to why they should not be swift in their decision making. He is in essence testifying. This is not the first time someone has tried to start a revolt and it
will not be the last.
He further urges them to leave the apostles alone be- cause if what they are doing is of human beings it will fail (vs. 38). Sometimes if you let stuff play out you will see if it is real or fake. Someone once said, “The truth will out- run a lie any day.” That which is not of God will come to an end and collapse. That which is of God and for God will en- dure to the end. If you are not sure about someone’s motives or methods sometimes it is best to leave it alone and see what the end will bring.
“But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (vs. 39). He speaks and testifies that there could be the possibility this is of God. Sometimes people curse themselves by fighting against testimonies and plans that are God inspired. You have to be careful when you oppose stuff that you are not sure of its ori- gins. You can find yourself try- ing to stop a work that God has ordained and anointed. When you do, you are no longer fight- ing against human beings but you are fighting against God.
After Gamaliel spoke they called the apostles back into the room, flogged them, and told them again not to teach in the name of Jesus (vs. 40).
They demonstrated their au- thority and power by having them beaten. They feel like if we beat them and people see them beaten they will not fol- low. This is the trick of the ad- versary to scare you out of testifying about the goodness of God. The adversary thinks that because you have suffered a beating you will not want to testify.
The actions of the San- hedrin did the complete oppo- site. The apostles counted themselves worthy to have been beaten for the name of Christ (vs. 41). When they are threatened and beaten for tes- tifying it only strengthens the testimony. When the adversary comes after you for sharing your testimony, it lets you know that your testimony is true and it also builds your tes- timony. Do not sit quiet; tell your testimony about what God has done for you.
Speak up for God and let the world know that He is able to do all things and you are a wit- ness!
If you are ever a witness to an event and an individual is put on trial, you may be called to testify in court. You may be called to testify for the plaintiff or for the defense. Regardless of who you testify for, the other will try to discredit your testi- mony. As people of God the church is called to give a testi- mony about the Savior, Jesus Christ. The lesson we will study this week centers around the apostles teaching about Jesus (Acts 5:27-29, 33- 42).
The apostles were brought before the San- hedrin and were ques- tioned by the high priest (vs. 27). The high priest re- minded them that they were given strict orders not to teach in the name of Jesus but they were doing it anyway (vs. 28). The San-
hedrin is a council of Jewish elders who make sure that Jew- ish laws are being obeyed and carried out.
They are like our modern day Supreme Court. Whatever the court spoke was to be fol- lowed out and obeyed. What- ever punishment the Sanhedrin ordered that pun- ishment was carried out. No one went against the orders of the Sanhedrin.
The apostles’ reply to the Sanhedrin was, “We must obey God rather than human beings” (vs. 29)! The church must not be bullied into keeping quiet about the power of God and the works of Jesus Christ. When God tells you to speak you must speak. Too often times people do not hear about God because there are so many who are afraid of the worldly conse-
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 7-B