Acts 5:22–42

²²But when the temple police went there, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, ²³“We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” ²⁴Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering what might be going on.^{* 25}Then someone arrived and announced, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” ²⁶Then the captain went with the temple police and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.^*

²⁷When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, ²⁸saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,ⁿ yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.”^{* 29}But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.^{o* 30}The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.^{* 31}God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.^{* 32}And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”^*

³³When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.^{* 34}But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. ³⁵Then he said to them, “Fellow Israelites,^p consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. ³⁶For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him, but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. ³⁷After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. ³⁸So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail;^{* 39}but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!”

They were convinced by him,^{* 40}and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and let them go.^{* 41}As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.^{* 42}And every day in the temple and at home^q they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.^r*