(24)Now when they heard these words, both the priest and captain of the temple and the chief priests were in the utmost perplexity concerning these things, what could be the meaning of it. (25)Then came a person and informed them, saying, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. (26)Then went the captain, with the officers, and brought them; not forcibly, for they were afraid of the people, lest they should stone them. (27)But when they had conducted them, they placed them in the sanhedrim: and the high-priest interrogated them, (28)saying, Did we not lay our strict injunction upon you, that you should not teach in this name? and, lo, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and would fain bring this man's blood upon us. (29)Then Peter and the apostles answering said, We must obey God rather than men. (30)The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom ye had killed, suspending him on a tree. (31)Him hath God exalted at his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel, and remission of sins. (32)And we are witnesses of these things; and the Holy Ghost also, which God hath given to those who obey him. (33)But when they heard this, they were cut asunder as with a saw, and took counsel how to make away with them. (34)Then arose a certain Pharisee, in the sanhedrim, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, held in high esteem by all the people, and ordered the apostles to be taken out for a little space; (35)and he said unto them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves respecting these men, what ye mean to do to them. (36)For before these days arose Theudas, saying that he himself was a singular personage: to whom a number of men, about four hundred, attached themselves: who was taken off; and as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. (37)And after him arose Judas the Galilean, in the days of the enrolment, and drew away a multitude of the populace after him: he also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. (38)And as to the matters now before you, I say unto you, Abstain from these men, and leave them to themselves: for if this design or this work be of men, it will come to nothing: (39)but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; and in that case would be found fighters against God. (40)And to him they assented: and calling in the apostles, after scourging them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. (41)Then they went rejoicing from the presence of the sanhedrim, that for his name's sake, they had been counted worthy to suffer this injurious treatment. (42)And all the day long in the temple, and from house to house, they never ceased teaching and preaching Jesus Christ. CHAP. VI.