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Disciples of Christ
193
and determined to imbrue their hands again in blood by slaying the
apostles. They were planning to do this, when an angel from God
moved upon the heart of Gamaliel to counsel the priests and rulers:
“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.” Evil angels were moving upon the priests and elders to put
the apostles to death; but God sent His angel to prevent it by raising
up among the Jewish leaders themselves a voice in favor of His
servants. The work of the apostles was not finished. They were to be
brought before kings to witness to the name of Jesus and to testify
of the things which they had seen and heard.
The priests unwillingly released their prisoners, after beating
them and commanding them to speak no more in the name of Jesus.
“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.” Thus the word of God grew and multiplied.
The disciples boldly testified to the things which they had seen
and heard, and through the name of Jesus they performed mighty
miracles. They fearlessly charged the blood of Jesus upon those who
had been so willing to receive it when they were permitted to have
power over the Son of God.
I saw that angels of God were commissioned to guard with
special care the sacred, important truths which were to serve as an
anchor to the disciples of Christ through every generation. The Holy
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Spirit especially rested upon the apostles, who were witnesses of our
Lord’s crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—important truths
which were to be the hope of Israel. All were to look to the Saviour
of the world as their only hope, and walk in the way which He had
opened by the sacrifice of His own life, and keep God’s law and
live. I saw the wisdom and goodness of Jesus in giving power to the
disciples to carry on the same work for which He had been hated
and slain by the Jews. In His name they had power over the works
of Satan. A halo of light and glory centered about the time of Jesus’
death and resurrection, immortalizing the sacred truth that He was
the Saviour of the world.