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5:17-6:7 The high priest and all those with him, the existing sect of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them into public custody. But an angel of the Lord, during the night opened the doors of the prison and lead them out. (The angel said). "Go and stand up in the temple and tell the people everything about this (way of) life. And having heard they went at about dawn into the temple and taught. Having come (to the assembly area) the high priest and those with him called together the council and the whole senate of the sons of Israel. They sent to the jail to have them (the apostles) brought to them. But the attendants did not find them in the prison. Having returned (to the high priest etc) they reported saying "We found the jail shut and all the security there with the guards standing by the doors. But on opening it we found there was nobody inside." As they heard these words, both the commandant of the temple and the chief priests doubted (the
attendants) and wondered what was to happen. Then someone came and reported to them "Look the men that you put into the prison are in the temple standing there and teaching the people." Then going (there) the commandant and his attendants brought them back, but not with force, for they feared that the people may stone them. After they were brought in the apostles stood before the council. The high priest questioned them saying "We strictly charged you
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not to teach in this name (of Jesus). And look you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to place the blame of the blood of this man upon us." Answering (them) Peter and the apostles said "Should we not obey God rather than men? The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. God has exalted this man as a Ruler and a Saviour. He has put him at his right hand to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of their sins. We are witnesses of these things and of God giving the Holy Spirit to those who obey him. When they (those at the council) heard this they were enraged and intended to kill them. But standing up in the council, a Pharisee whose name was Gamaliel and who was a teacher of the law and honoured by all the people ordered that the men be put outside for a time. He then said to (the council). "Fellow Israelites. Be careful what you do to these men. Recall that before this time there was Theudas who was claiming to be somebody and to whom about four hundred men were attached. He was killed and all those who obeyed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this there was Judas the Galilean in the days of the enrolment. He drew people away after him. But that man perished and as many as obeyed him were scattered. And now I say to you stand aside from these men and leave them alone. If this counsel or work is of men
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it will be destroyed. But if it is of God you will not be able to destroy them and you will be found to be fighting against God." They did what he said. Having re-called the apostles and beating them they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they released them. (The apostles) went out from the presence of the council. They were celebrating because they were deemed worthy to be dishonoured on behalf of the name. And every day in the temple and from house to house they did not cease from teaching and preaching the Christ Jesus c/f Lk 19:47.
6:1-7 Now at that time as the disciples were multiplying there was a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily service. Having called them (together) the twelve (apostles) said to the multitude of disciples. "It is not acceptable that we need to leave the word of God in order to serve at tables. Therefore brethren take from yourselves seven men of good repute who are full of the Spirit and of wisdom and we will appoint them over this office. But we (ourselves) will keep to prayer and the service of the word." This word (of the apostles) pleased the multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolaus of Antioch (someone who had been converted to Judaism) They put these before the apostles who having prayed, placed their hands upon them. The word of God grew and the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly. (There was also) a big crowd of priests who obeyed the faith.
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