32 We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him."
33 At this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them.
34 But one member had a different perspective. He was a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert on religious law and was very popular with the people. He stood up and ordered that the apostles be sent outside the council chamber for a while.
35 Then he addressed his colleagues as follows: "Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men!
36 Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About four hundred others joined him, but he was killed, and his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing.
37 After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got some people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.
38 "So my advice is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown.
39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God."
40 The council accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.
41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus.
42 And every day, in the Temple and in their homes,* they continued to teach and preach this message: "The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus."1
Read Acts 6
