7 [5:26]Then the commander going away with the officers brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned; [5:27]and having brought them they placed them before the Sanhedrim. And the chief priest asked them, [5:28]saying, We charged you strictly not to teach in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and wish to bring this man's blood on us. [5:29]And Peter answering, and the apostles, said, It is necessary to obey God rather than man. [5:30]The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you took and hung on a cross; [5:31]him has God exalted, a Prince and Saviour at his right hand, to give a change of mind to Israel and the forgiveness of sins. [5:32]And we are his witnesses of these things, and also the Holy Spirit which God has given to those that obey him. 8 [5:33]And when they heard this they were highly offended, and took counsel to kill them. [5:34]But a certain Pharisee in the Sanhedrim, by the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, in honor with all the people, standing up requested them to put the men out a little while; [5:35]and he said to them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you are about to do to these men. [5:36]For before these days Theudas arose, saying that he was somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, adhered, who was destroyed, and all who obeyed him passed away and came to nothing. 9 [5:37]After him arose Judas the Galilean, in the days of the census, and drew away people after him; and he was destroyed, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. [5:38]And now I tell you, abstain from these men, and let them alone; because if this design, or this work, is from men, it will be destroyed; [5:39]but if it is from God, you cannot destroy them; lest you be found at some time to be fighting against God. [5:40]And they were persuaded by him, and calling the apostles and scourging them, they charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. [5:41]They went therefore from the presence of the Sanhedrim, rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for the name of [Christ]; [5:42]and every day in the temple, and from house to house, they ceased not teaching and preaching the good news of Christ Jesus. CHAPTER V. THE APPOINTMENT OF SEVEN DEACONS, THE SERMON AND MARTYRDOM OF STEPHEN, AND A GENERAL PERSECUTION. 1 [6:1]AND in those days the disciples being multiplied, there was a complaint of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, that their widows were neglected in the daily service. [6:2]And the twelve calling the multitude of the disciples, said, It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God to serve tables. [6:3]Look out therefore, brothers, from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit, and of wisdom, whom we may set over this business; [6:4]but we will attend continually to prayer, and the ministry of the word.