24
When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report, they were bewildered. They wondered what would happen next.
25
Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in prison are standing in the temple courtyard. They are teaching the people."
26
So the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles back. But they didn't use force. They were afraid the people would kill them by throwing stones at them.
27
They brought the apostles to be judged by the Sanhedrin. The high priest questioned them.
28
"We gave you clear orders not to teach in Jesus' name," he said. "But you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching. You want to make us guilty of this man's death."
29
Peter and the other apostles replied, "We must obey God instead of people!
30
You had Jesus killed by nailing him to a cross. But the God of our people raised Jesus from the dead.
31
Now Jesus is Prince and Savior. God has proved this by giving him a place of honor at his own right hand. He did it so that he could turn Israel away from their sins and forgive them.
32
We are witnesses of these things. And so is the Holy Spirit. God has given the Spirit to those who obey him."
33
When the leaders heard this, they became very angry. They wanted to put the apostles to death.
34
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up in the Sanhedrin. He was a teacher of the law. He was honored by all the people. He ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while.