5:34-39 Is what Gamaliel says here necessarily true?
5:34-39 Is what Gamaliel says here necessarily true?
No! There are many highly successful false religions in the world today despite the fact that they are not of God. Jesus warned of them in His parable of the mustard seed (CP Mt 13:31-32).
The parable of the mustard seed illustrates the abnormal growth of the kingdom of Heaven in its earthly aspect from a small beginning to a vast sphere of operation for demon powers.
The birds, or fowls of the air, which lodge in the branches of the tree, are a figure of the emissaries of Satan hiding behind the cloak of Christianity, disguised as apostles of Christ and ministers of righteousness (CP Mt 24:5; 2Cor 11:13-15).
Gamaliel used to be Paul's teacher of the Old Testament law (CP Ac 22:3). See also comments on Mt 13:31-32.