第23章

Soon the astonishing report came, "Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned."Although the apostles were miraculously delivered from prison, they were not safe from examination and punishment.Christ had said when He was with them, "Take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils." Mark 13:9.By sending an angel to deliver them, God had given them a token of His love and an assurance of His presence.It was now their part to suffer for the sake of the One whose gospel they were preaching.

In the history of prophets and apostles, are many noble examples of loyalty to God.Christ's witnesses have endured imprisonment, torture, and death itself, rather than break God's commands.The record left by Peter and John is as heroic as any in the gospel dispensation.As they stood for the second time before the men who seemed bent on their destruction, no fear or hesitation could be discerned in their words or attitude.And when the high priest said, "Did we not straitly command you that ye should not teach in 82this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood upon us," Peter answered, "We ought to obey God rather than men." It was an angel from heaven who delivered them from prison and bade them teach in the temple.In following his directions they were obeying the divine command, and this they must continue to do at whatever cost to themselves.

Then the Spirit of Inspiration came upon the disciples; the accused became the accusers, charging the murder of Christ upon those who composed the council."The God of our fathers raised up Jesus," Peter declared, "whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him."So enraged were the Jews at these words that they decided to take the law into their own hands and without further trial, or without authority from the Roman officers, to put the prisoners to death.Already guilty of the blood of Christ, they were no eager to stain their hands with the blood of His disciples.

But in the council there was one man who recognized the voice of God in the words spoken by the disciples.This was Gamaliel, a Pharisee of good reputation and a man of learning and high position.His clear intellect saw that the violent step contemplated by the priests would lead to terrible consequences.Before addressing those present, he 83requested that the prisoners be removed.He well knew the elements he had to deal with; he knew that the murderers of Christ would hesitate at nothing in order to carry out their purpose.

He then spoke with great deliberation and calmness, saying: "Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain;and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."The priests saw the reasonableness of these views, and were obliged to agree with Gamaliel.Yet their prejudice and hatred could hardly be restrained.