skills for conflict management displayed by Gamaliel.
34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law
who was respected by all the people,
stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men
to be taken outside for a little while.
35 He said to them,
“Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re about to do to these men.
36 Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody,
and a group of about four hundred men rallied to him.
He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and came to nothing.
37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up
in the days of the census and attracted a following.
He also perished, and all his followers were scattered.
38 So in the present case, I tell you,
stay away from these men and leave them alone.
For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail;39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.
You may even be found fighting against God.”
They were persuaded by him.
stand with confidence, knowing the gospel has passed the test of time.
identify and point out facts about Gamaliel.
Gamaliel
Gamaliel was a respected leader in the Sanhedrin,
a collection of Jewish religious scholars and leaders.
In Acts 22, we find out that he was Paul’s teacher.
In fact, Paul appealed to this very incident when he was on trial for preaching about Jesus,
so it seems that Gamaliel remained a respected and authoritative voice through the narrative of Acts.
According to the Jewish Talmud, Gamaliel was the grandson of Hillel,
who played a significant role in the development of rabbinic Judaism and the oral law.
The high esteem in which Jews held Gamaliel was expressed in the writings of the Mishnah:
“When Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, the glory of the Law ceased and purity and abstinence died.”
Highlight that Gamaliel mentored Paul (Acts 22:3).
Suggest that preserving the Sanhedrin’s dignity
and the respect Gamaliel demanded helped sway the group to his side.
Point out that Gamaliel’s use of historical examples appealed
to the religious leaders’ logic and reason.
one option (come to nothing)
the second option (fight God)
discuss why this contrast was so effective for Gamaliel.