There is a character in the New Testament whose name is Gamaliel. There is not much said about him except that he was Paul’s rabbinical teacher (Acts 22:3) and that he was a well-respected member of the Council (Acts 5:34). Acts 5 further records the time when he gave advice concerning the apostles as to what should be done with them. He reminded the council of two who had come prior to the apostles and had drawn crowds after them. Both men were slain, and there followers disbanded after their deaths. Gamaliel advised to let the apostles alone. If they were acting of men, they would be overthrown, but if they were acting for God, then they could not be overthrown. If it were the latter, the Council should not want to fight against God (38-39).
I say all of that to make this simple remark: I wonder if Gamaliel ever got it? After hearing the preaching of the apostles and seeing by the time of his death the apostles had not yet been snubbed out, I can’t help but wonder if he ever came around. The Bible never records one way or another, so it is useless to speculate. What I want to point out is this. There are many who are just like Gamaliel. There are many who are very close to the kingdom of God, perhaps even right on the edge. We need to be sowing the seed everywhere, but we especially need to look for those who are so close, and help them the rest of the way.
