It is unlikely that Gamaliel believes the work and preaching of the apostles to be of divine origin. If he did, he would most surely have proposed that the council investigate the claims made by the apostles to ascertain their truth. Instead he simply establishes a logical connection to affirm that human plans and opinions regarding Messianic fulfillment all eventually result in failure.1 His idea is that divine providence prospers movements from God but causes movements of men to fail. Gamaliel’s principle is not a reliable index as to what is from God and what is not. Sometimes evil plans succeed whilst good ones, in accordance with God’s will, may fail.2
38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail;