DAD;S RAMBLINGS -- THE CHURCH IS ALIVE

 DAD'S RAMBLINGS --THE CHURCH IS ALIVE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE CHURCH IS ALIVE

"When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher o the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them, 'Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men….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 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God.'" (Acts 5:33-35, 38-39)

Gamaliel was a renowned and respected leader and teacher in Israel. His words carried the weight of authority. While the other members of the Sanhedren wanted to kills this Christians, Gamaliel was a voice of moderation. Not only that, he spoke truth. If this Christian movement was not of God, it would die away. But if it was from God, no one could stop it.

The Apostle Paul had been a student of Gamaliel. As a part of his portfolio he listed Gamaliel as his mentor, before his conversion. Paul said, " 'I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel' " (Act 22:3). He must have played hooky the day Gamaliel gave this talk, because Saul tried to stamp out this sect of Christians.

The truth is that no one could stop the spread of the Gospel because Jesus had said that He would build His church. No power of earth or in the spiritual world could have kept the church from growing.

The same is true today. Men try to eliminate the church, but to no avail. The harder they try, the more the church expands. China is a great example. So we need to take heart in America. There are those under the influence of their master, Satan, who would love to get rid of Jesus' Church, but persecution only makes the church grow. Satan must not have all his marbles, or he would have figured this out a long time ago. He is not as smart as people would tend to believe.

God will have a people. Some may have to give their lives in the process, but the old saying is that the blood of the saints is the seed of the church. Jesus will prevail. The Church is alive and well.

Love, Dad