NOTES for Деян 5:17-42
At times one hears debates about Christianity’s future—whether it is still relevant in the modern world, whether it faces oblivion or, on the contrary, a new flourishing. Perhaps analysts who reason about these subjects should heed the words of Gamaliel in today’s reading. Though not himself a Christian, he left it to God—in whom he certainly believed—to decide whether the new teaching would endure. Why, then, did Luke include in his history of the early Church these words belonging to a man who was in many respects opposed to Christianity? Perhaps he saw the immense importance for Christians themselves of this testimony: the destiny of their Church, their community, their work, their ministry, and life itself rests solely in God’s hands and exists only because it is pleasing to Him.