17Then the high priest and all who were with him, the sect of the Sadducees, were filled with zeal.18And they laid hands upon the apostles and placed them in public keeping.19But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison during the night, led them out, and said,20Go, stand in the sacred place, and speak all the words of this life to the people.21When they heard, they entered the sacred place at dawn and were teaching. Then the high priest and those with him came and called together the council and all the council of elders of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to bring them.22When the servants arrived, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,23saying, "We found the prison shut in all security, and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened it we found no one inside."24When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about what this might mean.25Then someone came and told them, Look, the men you put in prison are standing in the sacred place and teaching the people.26Then the officer with the servants went and brought them, not with force, for they feared the people lest they be stoned.27They brought the apostles and made them stand before the council, and the high priest questioned them.28We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, he said, yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.29Peter and the apostles answered and said, It is necessary to obey God rather than men.30The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging upon wood.31God exalted this Jesus to his right hand as Leader and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.33When they heard this, they were cut to the heart and wanted to kill them.34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people, stood up in the council and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time.35Then he said to them, Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and came to nothing.37After this one Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away a people after him; he also perished, and all who were persuaded by him were scattered.38And now I say to you, Withdraw from these men and leave them, for if the plan or the work is out from men it will be destroyed.39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God. His speech persuaded them.40And calling the apostles, they beat them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.41The apostles left the council, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.