34. But one member of the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, stood up. He was a teacher of the law, and all the people respected him. He told the men to make the apostles leave the meeting for a few minutes.
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 he was an important man, and about 400 men joined him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were scattered and ran away. They were not able to do anything.
37. Later, during the time of the census, a man named Judas came from Galilee. Many people joined his group, but 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 is something they thought up, it will fail.
39. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You might even be fighting against God himself!” The Jewish leaders agreed with what Gamaliel said.
40. They called the apostles in again. They beat them and told them not to speak anymore using the name of Jesus. Then they let them go free.
41. The apostles left the council meeting. They were happy because they were given the honor of suffering dishonor for Jesus.
42. The apostles did not stop teaching the people. They continued to tell the Good News—that Jesus is the Messiah. They did this every day in the Temple area and in people’s homes.