Study Desk

But ^(C1)the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported,

saying, "We found the prison locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside."

Now when ^(C1)the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what ^(F1)would come of this.

But someone came and reported to them, "The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple area and teaching the people!"

Then ^(C1)the captain went along with ^(C2)the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for ^(C3)they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

When they had brought them, they had them stand ^(F1)before ^(C1)the Council. The high priest interrogated them,

saying, "We gave you ^(C1)strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and ^(F1)yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and ^(C2)intend to bring this Man's blood upon us."

But Peter and the apostles answered, "^(C1)We must obey God rather than men.

"^(C1)The God of our fathers ^(C2)raised up Jesus, whom you ^(C3)put to death by hanging Him on ^(F1)(C4)a cross.

"^(C1)He is the One whom God exalted ^(F1)to His right hand as a ^(F2)(C2)Prince and a ^(C3)Savior, to grant ^(C4)repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

"And we are ^(C1)witnesses ^(F1)of these things; and ^(C2)so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."

But when they heard this, they became ^(C1)infuriated and nearly decided to execute them.

But a Pharisee named ^(C1)Gamaliel, a ^(C2)teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in ^(C3)the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time.

And he said to them, "Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are about to do with these men.

"For, some time ago Theudas appeared, ^(C1)claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. ^(F1)But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.

"After this man, Judas of Galilee appeared in the days of ^(C1)the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and all those who followed him were scattered.

"And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, for if the source of this plan or ^(F1)movement ^(C1)is men, it will be overthrown;

but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found ^(C1)fighting against God."

They followed his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they ^(C1)flogged them and ordered them not to ^(F1)speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.

So they went on their way from the presence of the ^(F1)(C1)Council, ^(C2)rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame ^(C3)for His name.

^(C1)And every day, in the temple and ^(F1)from house to house, they did not stop teaching and ^(C2)preaching the good news of Jesus as the ^(F2)Christ.