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Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
Answer of the Apostles
“And when they had brought them, they set them before the
council: and the high priest asked them, saying, 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.” (See
Matthew 23:34, 35
.) “Then Peter and
the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather
than men. 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 Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey
Him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took
counsel to slay them.”
Then the Holy Spirit moved upon Gamaliel, a Pharisee, “a doctor
of the law, had in reputation among all the people.” His advise was,
“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.
And to him they agreed.”
Prejudice of Those in Authority
Yet the attributes of Satan so controlled their minds that, notwith-
standing the wonderful miracles that had been wrought in healing
the sick and in releasing God’s servants from prison, the priests
and rulers were so filled with prejudice and hatred that they could
hardly be restrained. “When they had called the apostles, and beaten
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them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of
Jesus, and let them go. 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.”
Mercy of God Exemplified
We can see what evidence was given the priests and rulers, and
how firmly they resisted the Spirit of God. Those who claim superior
wisdom and piety may make most terrible and (to themselves) fatal