Book of the Acts of the First Believers
17 - But the high priest rose up, and those who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, for they were filled with envy. 18 They rose up and arrested the apostles and had them put into prison.
19 But then, during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, led them out, and said, 20 “Go to the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard it, they went to the temple at daybreak and began to teach.
In the morning, the high priest and the Sadducees came, and called together the leaders, the senate of the sons of Israel, and they sent to the prison to have the apostles brought in. 22 But when the officers came, they didn’t find them, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside!” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard this, they were greatly perplexed. 25 Then someone came and told them, “Look! The men you put in prison are standing in the temple, teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them to the council, but not by force, for they were afraid the people would throw stones at them.
27 The high priest said, 28 “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name! And here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! You intend to bring this man's blood upon us!” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by having him crucified. 31 And God has exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things! And so is the Holy Spirit(/Presence of God) which God gives to those who obey him.”
33 Listening to this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee of the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who {unlike most?} was held in honor by the people, stood up and said, “Put the men outside for a while.” 35 So they did, and then he said, “Men of Israel, take care what you do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. But he was put to death, and all who followed him were scattered and it all came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after himself. He too was destroyed, and all who followed him were dispersed. 38 So in this case, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or undertaking is of man, it will fall apart. {For the leader had been eliminated.} 39 But if it is of God, you’ll not be able to overcome it. You might even be found to be opposing God!”
So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they had them beat and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus. And then they let them go.
41 And they left the council rejoicing, and were happy to be counted worthy to suffer for the name [onoma - name, authority, cause] of Jesus.
42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and proclaim that the Christ/Messiah is Jesus. [Christ - Christos - anointed one, Messiah; XristΓ³s - from xrΓΕ - anoint with olive oil – properly, the anointed one, the Christ - Hebrew, Messiah. “Savior of the world.”]
π️ [ ] - word/language insights, cross references, etc.
{ } - thots
Next: 6:1-15
From my own studies. Verses paraphrased to post.
