36Some time ago Theudas appeared. He claimed that he was important, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were scattered. The whole movement was a failure. 37"After that man, at the time of the census, Judas from Galilee appeared and led people in a revolt. He, too, died, and all his followers were scattered. 38"We should keep away from these men for now. We should leave them alone. I can guarantee that if the plan they put into action is of human origin, it will fail. 39However, if it's from God, you won't be able to stop them. You may even discover that you're fighting against God." 40The council took his advice. They called the apostles, beat them, ordered them not to speak about the one named Jesus, and let them go. 41The apostles left the council room. They were happy to have been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for speaking about Jesus. 42Every day in the temple courtyard and from house to house, they refused to stop teaching and telling the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah.
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