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The Truth About Angels
Some of the officials of the temple, and the captain of the temple,
were Sadducees. The captain, with the help of a number of Sadducees,
arrested the two apostles, and put them in prison, as it was too late for
their cases to be examined that night.—
The Spirit of Prophecy 3:278
.
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.—
Spiritual Gifts 1:83, 84
.
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In the meantime the high priest and those with him had “called
the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel.” The
priests and rulers had decided to fix upon the disciples the charge of
insurrection, to accuse them of murdering Ananias and Sapphira, and
of conspiring to deprive the priests of their authority.
When they sent for the prisoners to be brought before them, great
was their amazement at the word brought back, that the prison doors
were found to be securely bolted, and the guard stationed before them,
but that the prisoners were nowhere to be found.
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.”
As they [Peter and John] 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
this 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.—
The
Acts of the Apostles, 78-82
.
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
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upon his heart to counsel the chief priests and rulers. Said Gamaliel,
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.