A respected person

[Acts 5:33-42]

In South Dakota, USA, there is a landmark called ‘Mount Rushmore.' It features the faces of former U.S. presidents such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt carved into a massive 18-meter cliff, revered by the American people. Recently, there was a survey asking, ‘If you were to carve the face of a person you admire on Mount Rushmore, whose face would you choose?’ The top choice among college students was Martin Luther King Jr. The U.S. annually selects a respected figure through surveys. Jesus has consistently been the undisputed first choice. Following Jesus, it used to be Abraham Lincoln. However, this year, Martin Luther King Jr. has become the second choice after Jesus. The youth of America have chosen to admire black civil rights activist over Hollywood stars or popular singers. Why did they choose him? The reason is that Martin Luther King Jr. was a person who made the world more beautiful. In other words, he was a servant. Because of him, America became a better and more just society (Internet). What is engraved on Mount Rushmore is not because of the position of being a president, but because of those who served. It's not about becoming a president, but about how one lives. We must serve with love. It is about serving willingly, not as slaves, but as volunteers. These are the people represented on Mount Rushmore. They are people of great authority and respect.

A theologian once said, ‘Korean Christians are people who live their lives with Christian faith, Buddhist ways of thinking, and Confucian habits ... There is no doubt that this is a truly reasonable statement. ... It is clear that these three elements are mixed. Among them, Korean church pastors enjoy the greatest blessing from traditional culture. It is that they are highly respected by their congregants. This has nothing to do with their personality. Sometimes it has nothing to do with their character. I think that the respect and even reverence for the title of pastor is a reverence that cannot be found in any other country’ (Internet). However, it seems that reverence for pastors is now declining. I believe this is because of the failure of Korean church pastors to resemble Jesus in their character. Conflicts within the church, conflicts between former and current pastors, conflicts between congregants standing with former pastors and those standing with current pastors, pastors from various denominations standing in the same arena. Can pastors truly receive respect, especially from non-believers, amidst these conflicts?

In Acts 5:34, we see Gamaliel, a Pharisee who was respected by all the people. Additionally, in verses 41-42, we see the apostles whom we respect. So, in this age where pastors and believers are not receiving respect, I want to consider how we can become people who are respected. I would like to contemplate and learn today based on Acts 5:33-42, focusing on three points.

First, the respected person considers carefully.

Look at Acts 5:35 - " Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men." Filled with the Holy Spirit and obedient to the Lord's word, the apostles boldly proclaimed the gospel before the Sanhedrin, saying, “you had killed by hanging him (Jesus) on a tree” (v. 30). The religious leaders, the high priest and the Sadducees (v. 17), and the elders of the Israelite people (v. 21) “were furious” and sought to kill the apostles (v. 33). Here, "were furious" should be translated as ‘were cut to the heart’ (Park). An interesting contrast can be seen when we compare this with Acts 2:37, where some were "cut to the heart" and repented after hearing Peter's sermon. In contrast, the members of the Sanhedrin were instead 'cut to the heart' and sought to kill the apostles (Park). At that time, Gamaliel, a Pharisee who was respected by all the people, stood up in the council and advised the members of the Sanhedrin to be careful about what they were going to do with the apostles (vv. 34-35). Gamaliel was the grandson of Hillel, a prominent figure in Jewish legal tradition and a teacher of Paul (22:3). He was known as a scribe, which means an interpreter of the law. When he passed away (18 years before the destruction of the Jerusalem temple), people mourned, saying, ‘The glory of the law has departed, and purity and holiness have died’ (Park). He was known as Gamaliel the First, the grandson of Hillel, the founder of the Hillel school among the Pharisees, and he was renowned in later generations (Yoo). Gamaliel cited two other messianic movements as examples, both of which ultimately failed. The leaders of these movements were Theudas and Judas of Galilee (vv. 36-37). The movement led by Theudas claimed that he was the Messiah (v. 36), but in the end, it was evident that it was not of divine origin and therefore it collapsed. Another example is Judas of Galilee, who also led people astray, but when he perished, his followers scattered. After hearing about these incidents, Gamaliel advised the members of the Sanhedrin to “Leave these men alone! Let them go!" (v. 38). The reason is that if the apostles' beliefs and actions were merely of human origin, they would eventually crumble. But if they were of divine origin, opposing them would be futile, and they would end up opposing God (vv. 38-39).

The lesson we learn here is that a respected person considers carefully because he fears becoming an opponent of God. We remember from Acts 4:27 that Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, conspired together against Jesus. We must not commit the sin of coming together as a mob to oppose Jesus, just like they did. What are the things that oppose God?

It is opposing God's servants.

The high priest and the Sadducees, filled with jealousy, opposed the apostles, who were disciples of the Lord filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 33).

It is opposing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The statement in the apostles' proclamation, " you had killed by hanging him (Jesus) on a tree" (v. 30), greatly angered the high priest and the Sadducees. Because it pierced their consciences (hearts), they were greatly angered and sought to get rid of the apostles (v. 33).

It is opposing the Holy Spirit of God.

Opposing the apostles, who bear witness to the gospel under the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God (v. 32), means opposing the Holy Spirit of God. In fact, religious leaders, filled with jealousy, opposed the Holy Spirit of God and the apostles filled with the Holy Spirit, as well as the gospel they proclaimed.

A respected person is one who fears God. And one who fears God considers carefully because they fear opposing God. Those who are respected by all the saints do not rashly oppose God's servants, go against the gospel of Jesus Christ, or disobey the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God.

Second, a respected person persuades others.

Look at Acts 5:40 – “His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.” The members of the Sanhedrin, who had sought to kill the apostles after hearing Gamaliel's speech, were unable to kill them. Instead, they had them flogged and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus. The reason is stated in Acts 5:40a, " His speech persuaded them."

Let's consider how Gamaliel persuaded the members of the Sanhedrin:

He persuaded them through historical facts.

In other words, Gamaliel did not persuade the members of the Sanhedrin, who were greatly angered, through the same emotions, but rather through the historical fact of the events involving Theudas and Judas.

Gamaliel used Biblical logic to persuade the members of the Sanhedrin.

As mentioned in verses 38-39, he emphasized the Biblical logic that if the beliefs and actions of the apostles were of human origin, they would crumble. However, if they were of divine origin, they would be unstoppable.

Gamaliel persuaded the members of the Sanhedrin through his character.

The first and second methods of persuasion were combined with the character of the persuader. If a person's reputation is not good, their persuasiveness will be diminished. However, Gamaliel was a person of such character that he was respected by all the people. Therefore, his words carried even greater weight.

In Blaine Lee's book ‘The Power Principle,’ there is a chapter titled ‘Earn Respect to Gain Influence’: ‘Blaine Lee asserts that future leadership depends on respect. He emphasizes that true leadership comes from principle-centered leadership based on respect, not on schemes, strategies, negotiations, or threats. Analyzing the most popular topic in Western society today, 21st-century leadership, from the perspectives of management and organization studies’ (Internet). We, as Christians, are losing our influence over people in the world. The reason is that, like Gamaliel, we are not being respected by the people of the world. Instead of gaining respect, we are receiving criticism. We must heed the words of the apostle Paul in Titus 2:7-8: “in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.” We must demonstrate a model of righteous living, teaching with integrity, seriousness, and sound speech. This way, our lives will have persuasiveness. Now, it is no longer enough to persuade people with words alone. We must persuade them through our lives. When thinking about how we can persuade people through our lives, I was reminded of Romans 4:21, where the word "persuaded" is mentioned: "being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." To persuade others, whether fellow believers or people of the world, we must first be thoroughly persuaded by God's promises. Just as Abraham believed and hoped against hope (v. 18), even in the face of adversity, difficulties, and crises, if we live a life of faith, being thoroughly persuaded by God's promised word, our lives will be that much more persuasive to others. The gospel must be manifested through the lives of today's evangelists. This is because their lives are the most persuasive face of the gospel to the people they are preaching to (Internet).

Third and last, a respected person sets an example in life.

Look at Acts 5:41-42: “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” After the members of the Sanhedrin, who were respected by all the people, heard the advice of the Pharisee Gamaliel and were persuaded, they called the apostles back, had them flogged, and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus. At that moment, the apostles left, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus. Even then, they did not cease to teach and proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah.

The lesson we learn here is that a respected person sets an example in life. What kind of example are the apostles showing us? What kind of exemplary life should we live?

We should rejoice in being considered worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus.

Why should we rejoice? Are we happy when we believe in Jesus? Are we happy when we receive material blessings from serving Jesus well? Are we happy when our children do well? We should rejoice in participating in the suffering of Jesus for the sake of the gospel. Look at Moses mentioned in Hebrews 11:26. He considered the reproach he received for the sake of Christ greater than all the treasures of Egypt. In Philippians 3:10, Paul expressed his desire to know the fellowship of sharing in the sufferings of Jesus Christ. We must never say that we seek happiness in Jesus without the joy of participating in the sufferings of Jesus. The reason is that there can be no happiness in a life of faith without the joy of participating in the sufferings of Jesus.

The exemplary life we should live is to make every effort to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, wherever we are, every day.

The released apostles did not cease to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, whether they were in the temple courts or at home, day after day. However, we sometimes wonder if we are confused about what we should rest in and what we should not rest in. In other words, we may be unclear about what we should rest in and what we should not rest in. Truly respected Christians, who are admired by many people, radiate the fragrance of Jesus Christ in their lives. A life that brings out the aroma of Jesus Christ through one's life and lips is nothing short of the exemplary life of a true Christian.

There are several people whom I respect. Among them is Priest Henry Nowen. As I came across his writings, I grew to respect him. His writings, along with his life of service, have had a significant impact on my spiritual life. However, the person I respect the most is my father. The way he lives his life has a profound influence on me. I strive to carry the example of my father, whom I deeply respect, in my heart. Likewise, I hope to become such a father to my three children at home. I aspire to be a father who considers carefully, one who holds persuasive power as an exemplary figure in life. Above all, I want to be a small Christ who reminds my wife, children, church members, brothers and sisters in Christ.

Desiring to be a person who reminds others of Jesus,

James Kim

(Pursuing an exemplary life that earns respect)