Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God
rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised
Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a
cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and
Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive
their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the
Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put
them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher
of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in
the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a
little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel,
consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some
time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and
about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his
followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him,
Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and
led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his
followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case
I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if
their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But
if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men;
you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:29-39