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NASB | Acts 5:34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 5:34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law [of Moses], highly esteemed by all the people, stood up in the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) and ordered that the men be taken outside for a little while. |
Subject: Did Gamaliel give sound advice? |
Bible Note: Gamaliel's argument for the release of the Apostles was unsound. He argued: 1. if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown. 2. if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God. He gave two "ifs" and two "thens," two antecedents and two consequents. The argument should have been: "If this is so, then that is so. This IS so. Therefore that is so." Gamaliel never established the middle term of his argument. He never established whether the movement was of God or man. Some smart council member could have stood up and said, "Well, Gamaliel, Sir, which is it, of man or of God? You know we already believe this Way is not of God. Will you convince us otherwise?" |