Acts 5:12-42

121At the hands of the apostles many 23signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all 4together in 5Solomon’s 6portico. 13But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, 7the people held them in high esteem. 14And increasingly 8believers in the Lord, large numbers of men and women, were being 9added 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 10at least his shadow might fall on any of them. 16The 11people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together as well, bringing people who were sick 12or tormented with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

17But the high priest stood up, along with all his associates (that is 13the sect of 14the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18They laid hands on the apostles and 15put them in a public prison. 19But during the night 16an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and leading them out, he said, 20“Go, stand and 17speak to the people in the temple area 1819the whole message of this Life.” 21Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple area 20about daybreak and began to teach.

Now when 21the high priest and his associates came, they called 22the 23Council together, that is, all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison for them to be brought. 22But 24the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported, 23saying, “We found the prison locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24Now when 25the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what 26would come of this. 25But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple area and teaching the people!” 26Then 27the captain went along with 28the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for 29they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

27When they had brought them, they had them stand 30before 31the Council. The high priest interrogated them, 28saying, “We gave you 32strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and 33yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and 34intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, “35We must obey God rather than men. 3036The God of our fathers 37raised up Jesus, whom you 38put to death by hanging Him on 3940a cross. 3141He is the One whom God exalted 42to His right hand as a 4344Prince and a 45Savior, to grant 46repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are 47witnesses 48of these things; and 49so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

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

40They followed his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they 60flogged them and ordered them not to 61speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41So they went on their way from the presence of the 6263Council, 64rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame 65for His name. 4266And every day, in the temple and 67from house to house, they did not stop teaching and 68preaching the good news of Jesus as the 69Christ.