Disciples of Christ
57
By the power of Jesus the disciples continued to heal every one of
the afflicted and the sick which were brought to them. The high priests
and elders, and those particularly engaged with them, were alarmed.
Hundreds were enlisting daily under the banner of a crucified, risen
and ascended Saviour. They shut the apostles up in prison, and hoped
that the excitement would subside. Satan triumphed, and the evil
angels exulted; but the angels of God were sent and opened the prison
doors, and, contrary to the command of the high priest and elders,
bade them go into the temple, and speak all the words of this life. The
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council assembled and sent for their prisoners. The officers unclosed
the prison doors; but the prisoners whom they sought were not there.
They returned to the priests and elders, and said to them, The prison
truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without
before the doors; but when we had opened we found no man within.
Then came one and told them, saying, 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. And when
they had brought them, they set them before the council; and the high
priest asked them, Did not we straitly command you, that ye should
not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with
your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
They were hypocrites, and loved the praise of men more than they
loved God. Their hearts were hardened, and the most mighty acts
wrought by the apostles only enraged them. They knew that if the
disciples preached Jesus, his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension,
it would fasten guilt upon them, and proclaim them his murderers.
They were not as willing to receive the blood of Jesus as when they
vehemently cried. His blood be on us, and on our children.
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The apostles boldly declared that they ought to obey God rather
than man. Said Peter, The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, 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 Spirit whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Then were those murderers enraged. They wished to imbrue their
hands in blood again by slaying the apostles. They were planning how
to do this, when an angel from God was sent to Gamaliel to move