³⁸ Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. ³⁹ But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Gamaliel was right on target when he said this. You can never stop the plan of God. You can’t even delay it. We have to understand that God is not surprised and will never be caught off guard. We won’t hear God saying, ” I never saw that coming”. If it is of God – who can stop it.

⁴⁰ His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

The people may persecute you and try to stop/delay you. They may even order you not to speak of Jesus and the gospel but the problem that they made was they let the disciples go free. The disciples had no choice. They will teach and proclaim. That is how much Jesus changed them. In fact, they rejoiced because they had been counted worthy to suffer for Christ. What great men of God!!!

⁴¹ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. ⁴² Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.