Acts 5:38

And now I say vnto you, refraine from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsell or this worke be of men, it will come to nought. Acts 5:38 (KJV)

This verse occurs in the larger narrative of Acts describing the early church’s trials. In the preceding verses Peter and John had been arrested for preaching and performing miracles in Jesus’ name, and they were brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. The apostles boldly proclaimed the Gospel, insisting they were obeying God rather than men.

In Acts 5:38 a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the law and mentor to the Apostle Paul, stood up and addressed the council. He warned, “We have not need therefore to take in hand any man, lest we be the cause of an uproar among the people.” He then urged the council to exercise caution, pointing to two historical uprisings—those of Theudas and Judas of Galilee—that had attracted many followers but collapsed after their leaders were killed or dispersed.

Gamaliel’s counsel continued, “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.” He presented two possibilities: if the movement of Jesus’ followers was merely human, it would naturally fade away; if it was truly from God, the council would be fighting against God, an unwinnable battle.

From this passage several lessons emerge. First, wisdom and discernment are essential when confronting new teachings; Gamaliel’s measured approach encourages careful evaluation rather than hasty action. Second, the passage affirms trust in God’s providence—if the work is divine, it will succeed despite human opposition. Third, time often reveals truth; observing how events unfold can provide clearer perspective than immediate judgment. Finally, the verse warns that divine initiatives cannot be effectively thwarted by human effort, and opposing them may invite divine judgment.

In summary, Gamaliel’s advice in Acts 5:38 calls believers to patience, discernment, and confidence in God’s sovereign plan, reminding us that true God‑ordained work will endure while human schemes will ultimately fail.