Acts 5:22-42

American Standard Version

²² But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told, ²³ saying, 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. ²⁴ Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow. ²⁵ And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people. ²⁶ Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, We strictly 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. ²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men. ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. ³¹ Him did God exalt ^[a]with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. ³² And we are witnesses ^[b]of these ^[c]things; ^[d]and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

³³ But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were minded to slay them. ³⁴ But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while. ³⁵ And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do. ³⁶ For 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. ³⁷ After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. ³⁸ And 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: ³⁹ but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God. ⁴⁰ And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. ⁴² And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to ^[e]preach Jesus as the Christ.