005:031 God has exalted Him to His right hand as Chief Leader and as Saviour,
to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
005:032 And we--and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him--
are witnesses as to these things."
005:033 Infuriated at getting this answer, they were disposed to
kill the Apostles.
005:034 But a Pharisee of the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law,
held in honour by all the people, rose from his seat and requested
that they should be sent outside the court for a few minutes.
005:035 "Israelites," he said, "be careful what you are about to do
in dealing with these men.
005:036 Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of importance,
and a body of men, some four hundred in number, joined him.
He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and annihilated.
005:037 After him, at the time of the Census, came Judas, the Galilaean,
and was the leader in a revolt. He too perished, and all
his followers were scattered.
005:038 And now I tell you to hold aloof from these men and leave
them alone--for if this scheme or work is of human origin,
it will come to nothing.
005:039 But if it is really from God, you will be powerless to put
them down--lest perhaps you find yourselves to be actually
fighting against God."
005:040 His advice carried conviction. So they called the Apostles in, and--
after flogging them--ordered them not to speak in the name
of Jesus, and then let them go.
005:041 They, therefore, left the Sanhedrin and went their way,
rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace
on behalf of the NAME.
005:042 But they did not desist from teaching every day,