Before the Sanhedrin
55
Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after
him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were
dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let
them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to
nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be
found even to fight against God.”
The priests saw the reasonableness of these views, and were
obliged to agree with Gamaliel. Yet their prejudice and hatred could
hardly be restrained. Very reluctantly, after beating the disciples and
charging them again at the peril of their lives to preach no more in
the name of Jesus, they released them. “And they departed from the
presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to
suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every
house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
[84]
Shortly before His crucifixion Christ had bequeathed to His disci-
ples a legacy of peace. “Peace I leave with you,” He said, “My peace I
give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27
. This peace is
not the peace that comes through conformity to the world. Christ never
purchased peace by compromise with evil. The peace that Christ left
His disciples is internal rather than external and was ever to remain
with His witnesses through strife and contention.
Christ said of Himself, “Think not that I am come to send peace
on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”
Matthew 10:34
. The
Prince of Peace, He was yet the cause of division. He who came to
proclaim glad tidings and to create hope and joy in the hearts of the
children of men, opened a controversy that burns deep and arouses
intense passion in the human heart. And He warns His followers, “In
the world ye shall have tribulation.” “They shall lay their hands on
you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into
prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.”
“Ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and
friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.”
John
16:33
;
Luke 21:12, 16
.
This prophecy has been fulfilled in a marked manner. Every in-
dignity, reproach, and cruelty that Satan could instigate human hearts
to devise, has been visited upon the followers of Jesus. And it will
be again fulfilled in a marked manner; for the carnal heart is still at