Acts 5:12-40

¹²Now by the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders took place among the people. And they were all with one mind in Solomon's Porch.

¹³But none of the rest dared join them, but the people were magnifying them.

¹⁴And more than ever, believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

¹⁵so that they were bringing the sick out into the streets, and placing them on couches and pallets, so that as Peter was passing, at least his shadow might fall on some of them.

¹⁶And also the multitude from the surrounding cities were coming together into Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, who were all being healed.

¹⁷Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,

¹⁸and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison.

¹⁹But an angel of the Lord during the night opened the doors of the prison, and leading them out, he said,

²⁰“Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

²¹And when they heard that, they entered the temple about daybreak and were teaching. Now when the high priest and those with him arrived, they called together the council, even all the elders of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison for them to be brought.

²²But when the attendants arrived, and did not find them in the jail, they returned and announced,

²³saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut in all security, and the guards standing before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”

²⁴Now when they heard these words, both the high priest and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests, they were greatly perplexed about them, as to what would come of this.

²⁵So one came and reported to them, saying, “Behold, the men whom you put in jail are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

²⁶Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned.

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

²⁸saying, “Did we not give you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you want to bring on us the blood of this Man!”

²⁹But Peter and the apostles answered, and said: “We must obey God rather than men.

³⁰The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.

³¹Him God has exalted to His right hand as Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

³²And we are His witnesses of these words, and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

³³But when they heard this, they were infuriated and were resolving to kill them.

³⁴Then someone in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a short time.

³⁵And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves to these men, as to what you are about to do.

³⁶For before these days, Theudas rose up, claiming himself to be someone, to whom was joined a number of men, about four hundred. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.

³⁷After this arose Judas the Galilean, in the days of the census, and caused considerable number of people after him to revolt. He too perished, and as many as were persuaded by him were scattered.

³⁸And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work is of men, it will fail;

³⁹but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found fighting against God.”

⁴⁰And they were persuaded by him, and when they had called the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.