Den tidiga kyrkanWise manLeaderc. 10 BC – c. AD 70
Gamaliel was a highly respected Pharisee and teacher of the law in the Sanhedrin, known as 'Gamaliel the Elder'. He was the grandson of the famous Rabbi Hillel and was the teacher of the apostle Paul. He is best known for his wise counsel in Acts to let the Christians be, arguing that if the movement was from God, it could not be stopped.
Nyckelhändelser
Gamaliel's Advice to the Sanhedrin
When the apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel stood up and warned against persecuting them. He argued that if the movement was from humans, it would fail on its own, but if it was from God, they could not stop it.
34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and ordered that the men be taken outside for a little while.
36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.
The Apostles Arrested and Brought Before the Council
Peter and the other apostles were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin because they continued to preach about Jesus, which was the background for Gamaliel's intervention.
28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us."
In his speech to the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel used the example of Theudas, who had gathered followers around him, but the movement fell apart after his death.
36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.
The apostle Paul (Saul) stated that he was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel and trained in the law of our fathers with great zeal, which shows Gamaliel's influence as a teacher of the law.
3"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city. I was trained at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict observance of the law of our fathers, and I was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.
After Gamaliel's wise speech, the Sanhedrin was persuaded. They released the apostles after flogging them and forbade them to speak in Jesus' name, but did not pursue them further at that time.