New Testament in a Year

²² When the temple guards arrived at the prison, they didn’t find the apostles. The guards came back and reported, ²³ “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors. However, when we opened the doors, we found no one inside.” ²⁴ When the officer of the temple guards and the chief priests heard this, they were puzzled about what could have happened.

²⁵ Then someone told them, “The men you put in prison are standing in the temple courtyard. They’re teaching the people.”

²⁶ Then the officer of the temple guards went with some of his men to bring back the apostles without using force. After all, the officer and his guards were afraid that the people would stone them to death for using force. ²⁷ When they brought back the apostles, they made them stand in front of the council. The chief priest questioned them. ²⁸ He said, “We gave you strict orders not to mention Jesus’ name when you teach. Yet, you’ve filled Jerusalem with your teachings. You want to take revenge on us for putting that man to death.”

²⁹ Peter and the other apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than people. ³⁰ You murdered Jesus by hanging him on a cross. But the God of our ancestors brought him back to life. ³¹ God used his power to give Jesus the honored position—the one next to him on the heavenly throne as leader and savior. He did this to lead the people of Israel to him, to change the way they think and act, and to forgive their sins. ³² We are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

³³ When the men on the council heard this, they became furious and wanted to execute the apostles. ³⁴ But a Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up. He was a highly respected expert in Moses’ Teachings. He ordered that the apostles should be taken outside for a little while.

³⁵ Then he said to the council, “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you do with these men. ³⁶ Some time ago Theudas appeared. He claimed that he was important, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were scattered. The whole movement was a failure.

³⁷ “After that man, at the time of the census, Judas from Galilee appeared and led people in a revolt. He, too, died, and all his followers were scattered.

³⁸ “We should keep away from these men for now. We should leave them alone. I can guarantee that if the plan they put into action is of human origin, it will fail. ³⁹ However, if it’s from God, you won’t be able to stop them. You may even discover that you’re fighting against God.”

⁴⁰ The council took his advice. They called the apostles, beat them, ordered them not to speak about the one named Jesus, and let them go.

⁴¹ The apostles left the council room. They were happy to have been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for speaking about Jesus. ⁴² Every day in the temple courtyard and from house to house, they refused to stop teaching and telling the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah.