Here’s the Strategy (Acts 5)

When you’re in the process of starting a church, you work out a strategic plan. So, for instance, we have a strategy for how we’re going to serve our community, how we’re going to let people know we exist, how we hope to generate a positive impression, how we’re going to grow people spiritually.

Reading about this new church in Acts 5; can you imagine if someone proposed that as a strategy? “Okay, how about if anyone in our church lies, the consequence will be instant death. We’ll make people in the community afraid to join us. As an example to everyone, we’ll make sure our leaders get arrested, and beaten half to death, and suffer some real disgrace. That should grow this church!”

But that’s exactly what happened, and the church did grow. Why? Maybe the Pharisee Gamaliel put it best, “For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

I’m still going to try to have a great strategy. But in the end, Gamaliel is right. Right?