Part 7

005:028 "We strictly forbad you to teach in that name--did we not?" he said. "And see, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and are trying to make us responsible for that man's death!"

005:029 Peter and the other Apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than man.

005:030 The God of our forefathers has raised Jesus to life, whom you crucified and put to death.

005:031 God has exalted Him to His right hand as Chief Leader and as Saviour, to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.

005:032 And we--and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him-- are witnesses as to these things."

005:033 Infuriated at getting this answer, they were disposed to kill the Apostles.

005:034 But a Pharisee of the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, held in honour by all the people, rose from his seat and requested that they should be sent outside the court for a few minutes.

005:035 "Israelites," he said, "be careful what you are about to do in dealing with these men.

005:036 Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of importance, and a body of men, some four hundred in number, joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and annihilated.

005:037 After him, at the time of the Census, came Judas, the Galilaean, and was the leader in a revolt. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.

005:038 And now I tell you to hold aloof from these men and leave them alone--for if this scheme or work is of human origin, it will come to nothing.

005:039 But if it is really from God, you will be powerless to put them down--lest perhaps you find yourselves to be actually fighting against God."

005:040 His advice carried conviction. So they called the Apostles in, and-- after flogging them--ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then let them go.

005:041 They, therefore, left the Sanhedrin and went their way, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace on behalf of the NAME.

005:042 But they did not desist from teaching every day, in the Temple or in private houses, and telling the Good News about Jesus, the Christ.

006:001 About this time, as the number of disciples was increasing, complaints were made by the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebrews because their widows were habitually overlooked in the daily ministration.

006:002 So the Twelve called together the general body of the disciples and said, "It does not seem fitting that we Apostles should neglect the delivery of God's Message and minister at tables.

006:003 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among yourselves seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, and we will appoint them to undertake this duty.

006:004 But, as for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the delivery of the Message."

006:005 The suggestion met with general approval, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.

006:006 These men they brought to the Apostles, and, after prayer, they laid their hands upon them.

006:007 Meanwhile God's Message continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem very greatly increased, and very many priests obeyed the faith.

006:008 And Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great marvels and signs among the people.

006:009 But some members of the so-called `Synagogue of the Freed-men,' together with some Cyrenaeans, Alexandrians, Cilicians and men from Roman Asia, were roused to encounter Stephen in debate.

006:010 They were quite unable, however, to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

006:011 Then they privately put forward men who declared, "We have heard him speak blasphemous things against Moses and against God."

006:012 In this way they excited the people, the Elders, and the Scribes. At length they came upon him, seized him with violence, and took him before the Sanhedrin.

006:013 Here they brought forward false witnesses who declared, "This fellow is incessantly speaking against the Holy Place and the Law.