Obedience to God, Not Men

29

But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

30

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree.

31

God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

32

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

33

When the Council members heard this, they were enraged, and they resolved to put the apostles to death.

34

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a short time.

35

“Men of Israel,” he said, “consider carefully what you are about to do to these men.

36

Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

37

After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.

38

So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail.

39

But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

40

At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.

41

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

42

Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

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