This proof of the determination of the Apostles to obey God rather than man, without fear of the consequences, must have added to the perplexity of the Council, and increased their difficulty as to how they should deal with these men, whom the people loved, and were ready to defend against all who should attempt to hurt them. Wishing again to speak to the Apostles, they gave orders accordingly. "Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned." Nor was there any occasion to use violence, for the Apostles had no idea of resisting: they were ready to bear witness to the Lord Jesus before the Council, as well as in every other place. "And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, Did not we straitly command you, that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us,"--that is, to make the people treat them as if they were guilty of murder, for having put Jesus to death. Peter and the other Apostles repeated their declaration, that they must obey God rather than men; and then they plainly told the Priests and elders that they had indeed killed Jesus Christ, the Messiah; and that the God of Israel had raised Him from the dead, to be the Saviour of all who would believe and repent: and they further said, that God had appointed them to bear witness of all things which Jesus had said and done; and that the Holy Ghost, by whose help they worked miracles, was also a witness to the truth of all that they taught to the people. "When they heard that, they were cut to the heart"; but it was not a right sort of grief; for, instead of believing the Apostles' words, and so turning to the Lord, they "took counsel to slay them," that they might no longer preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.