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Acts / Persecution of the Apostles and Their Witness
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Persecution of the Apostles and Their Witness

Acts 5:17-42

5
Chapter 5
17 Then the high priest and all those with him, who belonged to the sect of the Sadducees, rose up and were filled with zeal. 18 And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison during the night, led them out, and said, 20 Go, stand in the temple, and speak to the people all the words of this life. 21 But when they heard this, they entered the temple at dawn and were teaching. But when the high priest and those with him arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin and all the council of the sons of Israel, and they sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But the attendants who had arrived did not find them in the prison. But having returned, they reported. 23 saying that we found the prison shut with all security and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened it inside, we found no one. 24 But as they heard these words, both the captain of the Temple and the high priests were perplexed about them—what this might become. 25 But someone came and said to them, "Look, the men you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people." 26 Then the captain and the officers went and brought them without force, for they feared the people, lest they be stoned. 27 They brought them and had them stand before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, "We strictly commanded you not to teach in this name, and look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than people." 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging on a tree. 31 God exalted this one as leader and savior to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him. 33 But those who had heard were furious and wanted to kill them. 34 But standing up, a certain Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a Torah teacher honored by all the people of God, ordered the men to go outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves concerning these men and what you are about to do." 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming that he was somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all as many as obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census, and he caused a people to revolt behind him. And that one met destruction, and all as many as were being persuaded by him were scattered. 38 And now I say to you, stand away from these men and let them go. 39 but if it is from God, you will not be able to abolish them—lest you even be found fighters against God. And they were persuaded by him. 40 And having called the apostles, having beaten them, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. 41 Then they went rejoicing from the presence of the Sanhedrin because they were deemed worthy to be dishonored for the Name. 42 And every day in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ.