The building of His kingdom through His church

Acts 4:15-18 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, (16) saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. (17) But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” (18) So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

The leaders conferred amongst themselves as to what should be done in this situation.  We have seen that the leaders took an extreme position and banned that there should be no speaking or teaching at all in the name of Jesus. 

When we see these extremely brutal measures being taken, in our times, we as His church are surely concerned.   At the same time, let us know that the Lord is still in control in all these situations.  God places His person or persons in the situation, who bring a godly direction into the matter.

Gamaliel, the Pharisee, was one such person who brought sanity into the midst of the foolishness and irrational decision that was being taken by the leaders.  Perhaps, Gamaliel was not present in the leadership group that gathered rather hastily in Acts chapter 4. 

Acts 5:34-35 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.

Acts 5:38-40 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.

Even though the persecution of the disciples did take place, the voice of Gamaliel prevailed.  People such as Gamaliel are the persons whom God places in different spheres to fulfil His purpose. 

You and I must see ourselves as Gamaliels to be the voice of God.  We have a prophetical role in our society and nation.      

I wish to digress here.  If we must have persons such as Gamaliel in key decision-making tables, in our nations, in all spheres of life and governance, where will they come from? 

Will they not be raised in our homes?  With what motivation do we raise our children?  Do we raise them to be kingdom builders, occupying key decision-making positions and roles in all spheres of life in our own nations, so that God’s purposes will be fulfilled? 

I find that to a large extent, we are raising our children to be selfish, thinking only to be well-settled in life.  We are not challenging them to take on key leadership roles, especially in our own nation.

Those of us living in developing nations, such as India, are more interested to get our children to live and work in the developed western world and look after their own well-being and success.  Whereas, we desperately lack representation and the calming prophetical voice of godly leaders, such as Gamaliel, at the policy and decision-making tables in our own country.

This is a matter that is very close to my heart over which I am deeply troubled.  Unfortunately, we, the Christian leaders of our nation, are the biggest defaulters in this matter.  Unless Christian leaders in our nation will repent and seek His forgiveness that we have failed in raising our children to be the prophets for our nation, we would have disobeyed God.      

A notable miracle had taken place and the leaders had no way to muzzle this event or its cascading effect.  Acts 3:9-10 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. (10) Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

This lame man begging at the Beautiful gate of the temple was a regular feature.  The healing of this lame man caused the entire Jewish community to know that an amazing miracle had taken place.  The Lord in His mercy and love was reaching out to His people through the healing of the lame man. 

This is how we must consider the signs and miracles that God is doing amongst us in our times.  These are events through which God is drawing people to Himself through His love. 

The Lord is also using these signs and wonders to stop the mouths of those who are against God.  Luke 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

Let the church be assured that man will not be able to stop the building of His kingdom through His church.

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