Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had a reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the Apostles forth a little space.

 

Our study through the Book of Acts now brings us into the presence of a man named Gamaliel. The Scripture tells us that he was a doctor of the law and that he had a reputation among all the people. Gamaliel was the single most respected man alive at that time because he was the direct descendent and the 35th receiver of the traditions and the Law as given by God at Mount Sinai. He was the grandson of Hillel who was known to be one of the greatest theologians in all of Israel. Gamaliel was the son of Rabbi Simeon and upon his death, Gamaliel went on to attain the high office of President of the Sanhedrin.

 

We are told that the Apostle Paul was the most educated man on earth at the time he got dramatically saved on the Road to Damascus and that Paul studied directly under Gamaliel. (Acts 22:3) That being said, we can assume that Gamaliel was extremely educated and held the highest of high positions in all of Israel.

 

As a side note, this is where we get the highest degree of education in a subject which is a Doctorate Degree. Therefore, given his family lineage and his education, we can assume that Gamaliel was a man of great standing.

 

The Scripture tells us that he had a reputation among all the people and it is to this phrase that I will attempt to make an important point. Gamaliel did not have the Apostles killed as the other members of the Sanhedrin wanted. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to kill them. (Acts 5:33) Rather, he gave them a small place to minister to the people. commanded to put the Apostles forth a little space.

 

Gamaliel was a politician in the true sense of the word. He wanted to please everyone and he also knew that the people loved the Apostles and he did not want to cause a riot. So, he did what every good politician does. He sat on the fence and tried to please both sides in an attempt to save his own reputation and position in the hierarchy at the time.

 

The point that must be made here is that while Gamaliel had a good reputation among all the people, his character was in question. Gamaliel had heard the Gospel of Christ as preached by the Apostles and as well, he probably witnessed the Ministry of Christ firsthand BUT his position in the hierarchy of the Synagogue and government kept him from denouncing all that and accepting Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

 

This brings us to the crux of this Morning Message which is the difference between reputation and character. Reputation is what people think you are while character is what God knows you are. The world builds reputation but only God can build character.

 

In closing, the question before us today is this: Do we choose to have a good reputation among people or be seen as a person of character in the eyes of God?

 

Only God can build character and only God can……….turn the tide

 

I have made my choice,        Doreen

 

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