Acts 5:12-42

121At the hands of the apostles many 2signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in 3Solomon’s portico. 13But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, 4the people held them in high esteem. 14And all the more 5believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly 6added to their number, 15to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by 7at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. 16Also the 8people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick 9or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

17But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is 10the sect of 11the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18They laid hands on the apostles and 12put them in a public jail. 19But during the night 13an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20“Go, stand and 14speak to the people in the temple 1516the whole message of this Life.” 21Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple 17about daybreak and began to teach.

Now when 18the high priest and his associates came, they called 19the 20Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. 22But 21the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, 23saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” 24Now when 22the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what 23would come of this. 25But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26Then 24the captain went along with 25the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for 26they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

27When they had brought them, they stood them 27before 28the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, “We gave you 29strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and 30yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and 31intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, “32We must obey God rather than men. 3033The God of our fathers 34raised up Jesus, 35whom you had 36put to death by hanging Him on a 37cross. 3138He is the one whom God exalted 39to His right hand as a 4041Prince and a 42Savior, to grant 43repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are 44witnesses 45of these things; and 46so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

33But when they heard this, they were 47cut 48to the quick and intended to kill them. 34But a Pharisee named 49Gamaliel, a 50teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in 51the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36For some time ago Theudas rose up, 52claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. 53But he was killed, and all who 54followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of 55the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who 56followed him were scattered. 38So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or 57action 58is of men, it will be overthrown; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found 59fighting against God.”

40They 60took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they 61flogged them and ordered them not to 62speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41So they went on their way from the presence of the 6364Council, 65rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame 66for His name. 4267And every day, in the temple and 68from house to house, they 69kept right on teaching and 7071preaching Jesus as the 72Christ.