12
At the hands of the apostlesmany1signs and wonders were takingplaceamong the people; and they were all with oneaccord in 2Solomon'sportico.
13
But none of the restdared to associate with them; however, 3the peopleheld them in highesteem.
14
And all the more4believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly 5added to their number,
15
to such an extent that they evencarried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Petercame by 6at least his shadow might fall on anyone of them.
16
Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were comingtogether, bringing people who were sickorafflicted with uncleanspirits, and they were all being healed.
Imprisonment and Release
17 But the highpriestrose up, along with all his associates (that is 7the sect of 8the Sadducees ), and they were filled with jealousy.
18
They laidhands on the apostles and 9put them in a publicjail.
19
But during the night10an angel of the Lordopened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said,
20
"Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple11the wholemessage of thisLife."
21
Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple12aboutdaybreak and began to teach. Now when 13the highpriest and his associatescame, they called14the Counciltogether, evenall the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prisonhouse for them to be brought.
22
But 15the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back,
23
saying, "We found the prisonhouselockedquitesecurely and the guardsstanding at the doors; but when we had opened up, we foundnooneinside."
24
Nowwhen16the captain of the temple guard and the chiefpriestsheardthesewords, they were greatlyperplexedabout them as to what would come of this.
25
But someonecame and reported to them, "The menwhom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"
26
Then17the captainwentalong with 18the officers and proceeded to bring them back without*violence (for 19they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned ).
27
When they had brought them, they stood them before20the Council. The highpriestquestioned them,
28
saying, "We gave you 21strictorders not to continue teaching in thisname, and yet, you have filledJerusalem with your teaching and 22intend to bringthisman'sblood upon us."
29
But Peter and the apostlesanswered, "23We mustobeyGodratherthanmen.
30
"24The God of our fathers25raised up Jesus, whom you had 26put to death by hanging Him on a cross.
31
"27He is the one whom Godexalted to His righthand as a 28Prince and a 29Savior, to grant30repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32
"And we are 31witnesses of thesethings; and 32so is the HolySpirit, whomGod has given to those who obey Him."
Gamaliel's Counsel
33 But when they heard this, they were 33cut to the quick and intended to kill them.
34
But a Phariseenamed34Gamaliel, a 35teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in 36the Council and gaveorders to put the menoutside for a shorttime.
35
And he said to them, "Men of Israel, takecarewhat you propose to do with thesemen.
36
"For sometimeagoTheudasrose up, 37claiming to be somebody, and a group of aboutfourhundredmenjoined up with him. But he was killed, and allwhofollowed him were dispersed and came to nothing.
37
"Afterthisman, Judas of Galileerose up in the days of 38the census and drewaway some peopleafter him; he tooperished, and all those whofollowed him were scattered.
38
"So in the presentcase, I say to you, stayaway from thesemen and let them alone, for ifthisplanoraction39is of men, it will be overthrown;
39
but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; orelse you may even be found40fightingagainstGod."
40
They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they 41flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.
41
So they went on their way from the presence of the 42Council, 43rejoicing that they had been consideredworthy to suffershame44for His name.
42
45And everyday, in the temple and from house to house, they kept*right* on teaching and 46preachingJesus as the Christ.