ACTS 5:13-39

¹³But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them;

¹⁴and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women;

¹⁵insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them.

¹⁶And there also came together the multitude from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

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

¹⁸and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.

¹⁹But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,

²⁰Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.

²¹And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought.

²²But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told,

²³saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

²⁴Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow.

²⁵And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.

²⁶Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

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

²⁸saying, We straitly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

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

³⁰The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree.

³¹Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.

³²And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

³³But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were minded to slay them.

³⁴But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honour of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while.

³⁵And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do.

³⁶For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nought.

³⁷After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.

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

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