Acts 5:20-41

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

²¹And hearing this, they went into the temple at daybreak and taught. But the high-priest and they that were with him came and called together the council, and all the elders of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

²²But the officers that came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and brought word,

²³saying, The prison we found shut in all security and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we opened them, we found no one within.

²⁴And when the priest, and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were at a loss concerning them, to what this would come.

²⁵But one came and brought them word, Lo! the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.

²⁶Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence, that they might not be stoned; for they feared the people.

²⁷And having brought them, they set them before the council. And the high-priest questioned them,

²⁸saying, We strictly commanded you not to teach in this name, and lo! ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and mean to bring this man's blood upon us.

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

³⁰The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew by hanging him on a cross;

³¹him hath God exalted by his right hand, as a Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

³²And we are his witnesses of these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit which God hath given to those who obey him.

³³But when they heard this, they were filled with rage, and were resolving to kill them.

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

³⁵and said to them of the council, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as to what ye are about to do in respect to these men.

³⁶For before these days arose Theudas, boasting himself 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 scattered, and came to nought.

³⁷After this man arose Judas the Galilaean, in the days of the registering, and drew people away after him; he also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

³⁸And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this design or this work be of men, it will come to nought;

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

⁴⁰And they were persuaded by him; and having called the apostles, they beat them, and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.

⁴¹They therefore went away from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame in behalf of that name;