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Acts 5:33-42
/RSS FeedActs 5:33-42
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. -
Acts 4:23-31
/RSS FeedActs 4:23-31
23 On their release, Peter and John returned to their own people and reported everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
24 When the believers heard this, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.
25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’
27 In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.
28 They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.
29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness,
30 as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
