Acts 5:22-42 ▼

22 But the officers, having come, did not find them in the prison, and, returning, they told,

23 saying, "The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the prison-keepers standing at the doors; but, having opened, we found no one within."

24 Now, when both the captain of the temple and the high priests heard these words, they were thoroughly perplexed concerning them, what this might become.

25 But a certain one, coming near, told them, "Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people!"

26 Then the captain, having gone away with the officers, brought them, not with violence, for they were fearing the people, lest they should be stoned;

27 and, having brought them, they set them before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest asked them,

28 saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in This Name; and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! and intend to bring upon us the blood of This Man!"

29 But Peter and the apostles, answering, said, "It is proper to obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom ye slew, having suspended Him on a tree:

31 This One God exalted as a Prince and Savior, with His right hand, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.

32 And we are witnesses of these things; also the Holy Spirit, Whom God gave to those who obey Him."

33 And they, hearing it , were being convulsed with rage, and were taking counsel to slay them.

34 But a certain one, having risen up in the council—a Pharisee, by name Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people—ordered to put the men without a little while.

35 And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves with regard to these men, what ye are about to do;

36 for before these days arose Theudas, alleging that he himself was somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; who was slain, and all, as many as obeyed him, were disbanded, and came to nothing.

37 After this arose Judas, the Galilean, in the days of the enrollment, and drew away people after him; he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.

38 And now I say to you, refrain from these men, and let them alone; for, if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown;

39 but, if it be of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest perhaps ye be found even fighting against God."

40 And to him they assented; and calling the apostles to them, beating them , they charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go,

41 They, therefore, were going from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they were accounted worthy to suffer dishonor in behalf of The Name.

42 And every day, in the temple, and at their homes, they ceased not teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.