[Sidenote: Counsel.] After ordering the prisoners to be taken into another room, they said among themselves: "What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem and we cannot deny it." So, in order that the doctrine the apostles were preaching would spread no further, they concluded to threaten Peter and John, and command them not to speak to any man in "this name." So they called the prisoners back and said in effect; "You must never more speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus." [Sidenote: Better to Obey God Than Man.] Said the apostles, "Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." No doubt these priests would have punished the apostles then, if they had not been afraid of the people, all of whom "Glorified God for that which was done." When they were let go, Peter and John went "to their own company," and told their friends all that had happened. When they heard it, the saints united in a prayer of thanksgiving to God for all His blessings unto them. [3] At this meeting there was another mighty manifestation of the Holy Ghost, "and they spake the word of God with boldness." DANGERS WITHIN THE FOLD [Sidenote: Unconverted.] But these leaders had to contend not only with enemies outside the Church but with the scheming, dishonest people who stole their way into the fold. There were men and women who had not repented of their sins before they were baptized; so they did not receive the Holy Ghost. Two of these were Ananias and his wife Sapphira. Everybody who joined the Church had everything in common. Those who had land and other property sold it and brought the money to the apostles. There were no rich and no poor--all had everything that anybody else had, and everyone possessed what belonged to all. [Sidenote: Two Deceivers.] Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession; but they brought only part of the money, and said it was all. Thus they told a falsehood, and showed themselves to be among the worst people in the world; for, [Sidenote: The Lie Detected.] "Who dares think one thing, And another tell, My soul detests him, As the gates of hell." Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter detected the lie, and said to Ananias, "Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?" "Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? [Sidenote: A Severe Punishment.] "Thou hast not lied unto me, but unto God." "And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost." About three hours later, his wife came in, and told the same story as her husband. She, too, received a divine rebuke, and paid the penalty of her sin by giving up her life. After that, no one dare try to deceive the apostles in giving gifts to the Church.