The Apostles Are Freed and Stand before the Council

The high priest and the Sadducees were jealous of the apostles, so they arrested them and put them in public custody. But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and led them out. The angel told them to go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.

At daybreak the apostles went into the temple and began teaching. Meanwhile, the high priest gathered the council and sent officers to bring the prisoners. The officers came back puzzled. The prison had been shut and locked, the guards were still at the doors, but the men were gone. Soon another report arrived: the apostles were in the temple, standing and teaching the people.

So the captain and the officers brought them in again, without violence, because they feared the people might stone them. The high priest reminded them that they had been ordered not to teach in this name. Peter and the apostles answered that they must obey God rather than men. They said that God had raised Jesus, whom the council had killed by hanging him on a tree, and had exalted him to bring repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

The council was enraged and wanted to kill them. But a respected Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up and had the apostles sent outside for a little while. He reminded the council of Theudas and Judas of Galilee, whose followings fell apart after they died. Then Gamaliel warned them to be careful. If this plan was merely human, it would fail. But if it was from God, they would not be able to stop it.

They agreed with Gamaliel and called the apostles back. The council beat them, ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. The apostles left rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonour for Jesus' name. After that, every day in the temple and at home, they did not stop teaching and announcing that Jesus is the Christ. What helps people keep going when obedience is costly?