Cripple Healed
203
Gamaliel, the learned Pharisee and doctor, a man of great reation,
was a person of extreme caution, who, before speaking in behalf of
the prisoners, requested them to be removed. He then spoke with great
deliberation and calmness: “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 naught. 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 naught. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow
it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”
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The priests could not but see the reasonableness of his views; they
were obliged to agree with him, and very reluctantly released the
prisoners, after beating them with rods, and charging them again and
again to preach no more in the name of Jesus, or their lives would pay
the penalty of their boldness. “And they departed from the presence of
the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame
for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased
not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Well might the persecutors of
the apostles be troubled when they saw their inability to overthrow
these witnesses for Christ, who had faith and courage to turn their
shame into glory, and their pain into joy for the sake of their Master,
who had borne humiliation and agony before them. Thus these brave
disciples continued to teach in public, and secretly in private houses,
by the request of the occupants who dared not openly confess their
faith, for fear of the Jews.
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