Observation

Only few candidates answered this question and it was not well answered due to the fact that candidates were not familiar with the story.  Candidates had insufficient points and gave scanty answers which made them score low marks. The demand of the question is for candidates to emphasize on how Gamaliel advised the Sanhedrin to be cautious in handling the punishment suitable for Peter and John.

After outlining the events that led to the arrest of Peter and John, candidates ought to have mentioned points such as: 

1. Gamaliel was a Pharisee,and a teacher of the law, and also a respectable member of the Sanhedrin.
2. He intervened and requested that the apostles should be sent out while they deliberated on what will happen to them.
3. Gamaliel then advised the Council to be cautious of what they were intending to do to the apostles.
4. He cited the case of Theudas, who started a movement with 400 followers, but later when he died all his followers dispersed and the movement collapsed.
5. He also mentioned the case of Judas of Galilee, who also arose in the days of the census with many followers. But after his death, his followers scattered.
6. Gamaliel therefore advised that the Council should keep away from the apostles and not kill them.
7. He said if the undertaking of the apostles were of men it would fail, but if it was of God, they could not oppose God.
8. Based upon Gamaliel’s advice, the apostles were called in, given some lashes and warned again not to preach in the name of Jesus.
9. The apostles left the Council full of joy, for being found worthy of suffering in dignity, for the sake of Jesus Christ.

 

The B part of the question was an easy task to those who knew the story of Gamaliel.  On the whole, candidates’ performance in this question was average.