Then the high priest and other leaders arrested the apostles and had them put in the common jail. But at night the angel of the Lord opened the prison gates. He said as he led them out, "Go and stand in the Temple, and tell all the people about this new Life." They did as they were told. At dawn they went into the Temple to preach.
When the high priest arrived, he and those with him sent to the jail for the prisoners. But those sent to get them reported, "We found the jail securely locked and the guards on duty at the gates, but when we unlocked the door, we found no one inside." Just as they were wondering at what this could mean, another man arrived with fresh news: "At this very moment," he said, "the men you imprisoned are in the Temple. They are standing there preaching to the people." The captain and his men went and got them. They were afraid to use force for fear the people might stone them.
When they were brought in, the high priest demanded an explanation. "We warned you not to preach in this Name," he said, "and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you seem bent on making us guilty of this Man's death." Peter and the apostles replied, "Obedience to God comes before obedience to men. It was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, but it was you who had Him killed by hanging on a tree. God has now raised Him as Savior to give sorrow for sin and forgiveness to Israel. We witness to this, and so does the Holy Spirit Whom God has given to those who obey Him." This made them so furious that they wanted to put them to death.
One member of the council, however, a Pharisee called Gamaliel, a doctor of the Law who was held in honor by the whole people, stood and asked to have the men taken outside for a while. Then he said to them, "Men of Israel, be careful how you deal with these people. There have been others of late who have gathered followers, but were killed, and all the followers were scattered. What I suggest, therefore, is that you leave these men alone and let them go. If this movement of theirs is from men, it will break up of its own accord; but if in fact it does come from God, you will not only be unable to destroy them, but you might find yourselves fighting against God Himself."
They took his advice. They had the apostles called in, gave orders for them to be flogged, warned them not to speak in the Name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the court glad to have the honor of suffering humiliation for the sake of the Name of Jesus. Not for a single day did they cease preaching, in the Temple and from house to house, the Good News of Christ Jesus.
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