Pastor focuses in on Gamaliel's Speech found in Acts 5:34-39.

We know about Gamliel from the Bible, the writings of Josephus and rabbinical writings:

Grandson of the Jewish teacher Hillel
Especially influential ca 25-50 A.D.
President of the Sanhedrin
A devout and respected Pharisee
Teacher of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:3)

In comparing Josephus' writings with the Bible we find an issue with Acts 5:36-37 "Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered."

The Controversy is the dating of the two men as this is what we know about them from Josephus:

Theudas - revolt at the time of the Roman procurator, Cuspius Faus (44-46 A.D.)
Judas the Galilean - rebellion in 6 A.D.

According to the Acts verses written by Luke, he quotes Gamaliel as saying that Judas the Galilean's rebellion came AFTER Theudas' revolt, but what we know about these two men from Josephus, shows us that Judas the Galilean's rebellion came BEFORE Theudas' revolt.

The Alternatives we can consider:

Josephus was correct, Luke was wrong
Luke was correct, Josephus was wrong
Both Luke and Josephus were correct.

Pastor leans toward "Both Luke and Josephus being correct."

In Josephus' writings we read of Judas the Galilean as having led a band of people in revolt in 6 A.D.

In Josephus' writings we also read that after the death of King Herod the Great (about 4 B.C.) many revolted. Josephus does not name them.but clearly these rebellions were BEFORE Judas' revolt. Consider this: Is it possible that one of those individuals was named Theudas? Then the writings of Josephus and the Bible align.

Additionally, Luke gives this insight, he tells us that Gamaliel said the following, "Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered." Note that Gamaliel said ALL Judas' followers were scattered." But history shows us that Gamaliel saw Judas' rebellion as having come to nothing. However, about 25-30 years after Gamaliel spoke these words, those followers of Judas the Galilean not only were around, but had grown in number and ultimately triggered the revolt against Rome in 66 A.D.

What we see is an accurate account by Luke of what took place on the day the Apostles were flogged for speaking the name of Jesus and rejoiced for being worthy to suffer for His name.

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