25. Then someone came and told them, “Listen! The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple. They are teaching the people!”
26. Then the captain and his men went out and brought the apostles back. But the soldiers did not use force, because they were afraid that the people would kill them with stones.
27. The soldiers brought the apostles to the meeting and made them stand before the Jewish leaders. The high priest questioned them.
28. He said, “We gave you strict orders not to go on teaching in that name. But look what you have done! You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching. You are trying to make us responsible for this man’s death.”
29. Peter and the other apostles answered, “We must obey God, not men!
30. You killed Jesus. You hung him on a cross. But God, the same God our ancestors had, raised Jesus up from death!
31. Jesus is the One whom God raised to be on his right side. God made Jesus our Leader and Savior. God did this so that the people of Israel could change their hearts and lives and have their sins forgiven.
32. We saw all these things happen. The Holy Spirit also proves that these things are true. God has given the Spirit to all who obey him.”
33. When the Jewish leaders heard this, they became very angry and wanted to kill them.
34. A Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up in the meeting. He was a teacher of the law, and all the people respected him. He ordered the apostles to leave the meeting for a little while.
35. Then he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful of what you are planning to do to these men!
36. Remember when Theudas appeared? He said that he was a great man, and about 400 men joined him. But he was killed. And all his followers were scattered. They were able to do nothing.
37. Later, a man named Judas came from Galilee at the time of the registration. He led a group of followers, too. He was also killed, and all his followers were scattered.
38. And so now I tell you: Stay away from these men. Leave them alone. If their plan comes from men, it will fail.