Book of Common Prayer

²⁷ And when they had brought the apostles, they set them before the council. And the chief priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, Did we not strictly order you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

²⁹ Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought more to obey God than men. ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew, hanging him on a tree. ³¹ Him God has lifted up with his right hand, to be a ruler and a saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are his witnesses concerning these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.

³³ When they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and thought to kill them. ³⁴ Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of law greatly respected among all the people, and directed that the apostles be put apart for a little while, ³⁵ and said to them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what you intend to do regarding these men. ³⁶ Before these days, one Theudas rose up, claiming himself to be somebody, and a number of men joined him – about four hundred. But he was slain, and all the people who believed him were scattered abroad and brought to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas of Galilee arose, in the time when tribute began, and he drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all, even as many as followed him, are scattered abroad. ³⁸ And now I say to you, restrain yourselves concerning these men. Let them alone. For if the counsel of this work is of men, it will come to nothing. ³⁹ But if it is of God, you cannot destroy it, and you might even be found to be striving against God.

⁴⁰ And they agreed with him, and called the apostles, and beat them, and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

⁴¹ And they departed from the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name. ⁴² And daily in the temple and in every house they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.

²² After these things, Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and there he spent time with them and baptized. ²³ And John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there, and people came and were baptized. ²⁴ For John had not yet been cast into prison.

²⁵ And there arose a question between John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. ²⁶ And they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, of whom you bear witness, behold, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.

²⁷ John answered and said, A man can receive nothing at all unless it is given to him from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves are witnesses that I said I am not the Christ, but have been sent before him. ²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and hears him, rejoices greatly to hear the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this my joy is fulfilled. ³⁰ He must increase in renown, and I must decrease.

³¹ He who comes from on high is above all. He who is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all, ³² and what he has seen and heard, that he testifies; but no one receives his testimony. ³³ However, the person who has received his testimony has set to his seal that God is true. ³⁴ For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God. For God does not give the Spirit by measure (to him). ³⁵ The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. ³⁶ The person who believes on the Son has everlasting life, and the person who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.