Acts 5:22-42 ▼

22 And when those who were sent by them, went, and did not find them in the prison, they returned,

23 Saying, We found the prison carefully locked and also the guards standing at the doors; and we opened them but found no man there.

24 When the high priest and the leaders of the temple heard these words, they were astonished at them and they were reasoning how it could happen,

25 When a man came and informed them, Behold! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.

26 Then the leaders went with the soldiers to bring them, not by force, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.

27 And when they had brought them, they made them stand before the whole council, and the high priest proceeded,

28 Saying, Did we not strictly command you not to teach any man in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine; and intend to bring the blood of this man upon us.

29 Then Simon Peter with the rest of the apostles answered and said to them, We must obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus whom you murdered when you crucified him on the cross.

31 This very one God has appointed a Prince and a Saviour, and has lifted him up by his right hand so that he may grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

32 And we are the witnesses of these words; so is also the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who believe in him.

33 When they heard these words, they were enraged and thought to murder the apostles.

34 Then one of the Phar’i-sees whose name was Ga-ma’li-el, a teacher of the law and honored by all the people, rose up and ordered them to take the apostles outside for a little while;

35 Then he said to them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, and find out what is the best for you to do about these men.

36 For before these days, rose up Theu’das, boasting himself to be a great man; and about four hundred men followed him: he was slain; and those who followed him were scattered and nothing came of them.

37 After him rose up Judas, the Gal-i-le’an, in the days when people were registering for the head tax, and he misled many people into following him. He died; and all of those who followed him were dispersed.

38 So now I tell you, Keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this thought and this work is of men, it will fail and pass away.

39 But if it be of God, you cannot suppress it, lest perchance you find yourself standing in opposition to God.

40 And they listened to him, and they called the apostles, and scourged them, and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 The apostles went out from the presence of the council rejoicing that they had been worthy to suffer abuse for the sake of his name.

42 And they did not cease to teach daily in the temple and at home and to preach concerning our LORD Jesus Christ.