Acts:5:12-42

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* And many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the Apostles , (and they were all unanimously in Solomon 's portico ; * and not one of the rest presumed to join himself to them , but the people magnified them : * and believers were more and more added to the Lord , multitudes both of men and women :) * insomuch that along the streets they brought out the sick , and laid them on beds , and couches , that even the shadow of Peter , coming by , might overshadow some of them . * And multitudes also , out of the cities round about , came together to Jerusalem , bringing the sick , and those that were troubled with unclean spirits , who were all healed . * But the high priest arising , and all they that were him , being the sect of the Sadducees , were filled with zeal , * and laid their hands on the Apostles , and put them into the common prison . * But a messenger of the Lord , by night , opened the doors of the prison , and bringing them out , said , * Go , and presenting yourselves in the temple , speak to the people all the words of this life . * And hearing this , they went very early into the temple , and taught . But the high priest being come , and they that were with him , they called together the Sanhedrim , even the whole Senate of the children of Israel , and sent to the prison to have them brought . * But when the officers came , they found them not in the prison . Returning , therefore , they made their report , * saying , We found , indeed , the prison shut with all safety , and the keepers standing before the doors ; but , having opened them , we found no one within . * Now , when the high priest , and the captain of the temple guard , and the chief priests heard these words , they doubted concerning them , what this could be . * But one came , and told them , Behold , the men whom you put in prison , are standing in the temple , and teaching the people . * Then the captain went , with the officers , and brought them , (not by violence , for they feared the people , lest they should be stoned :) * and when they had brought them , they set them before the Sanhedrim . And the high priest asked them , * saying , Did we not strictly charge you , that you should not teach in this name ? and behold , you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine , and would bring this man 's blood upon us . * But Peter and the other Apostles answered , and said , It is necessary to obey God rather than men . * The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus , whom you slew , hanging him on a tree : * HIM has God exalted at his right hand , a Prince and Saviour , to give reformation to Israel , and remission of sins . * And we are witnesses of these things , and the Holy Spirit also , whom God has given to them who submit to his government . * And when they heard this , they were enraged , and consulted to put them to death . * But a certain Pharisee in the Sanhedrim , whose name was Gamaliel , a doctor of law , in great esteem among all the people , rose up , and commanded the Apostles to be taken out for a little while ; * and he said to them , Men of Israel , take heed to yourselves what you are about to do to these men . * Some time ago Theudas arose , pretending himself to be a person of note : to whom a number of men , about four hundred , adhered , who was slain ; and all who hearkened to him were scattered , and came to nothing . * After him , Judas , the Galilean , arose , in the days of the enrollment , and drew a multitude of people after him , and he was destroyed ; and all who hearkened to him were dispersed . * And now , in the present case , I say to you , Refrain from these men , and let them alone : for if this design and work be of men , it will be defeated ; * but if it be of God , you can not defeat them : lest , perhaps , you be found fighters against God . * And they yielded to him ; and having called in the Apostles , and scourged them , they charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus , and dismissed them . * And they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrim . rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be exposed to infamy for the sake of his name . * And , daily , in the temple , and from house to house , they ceased not to teach and declare the good news , that Jesus is the Messiah .

---