from the Bible (don't know which version..., a coworker handed me copies of some pages). Footnote re: Acts, chapter 5, subtitle "The Apostles Persecuted"
The basic setup for this chapter, the Apostles are hauled into the Temple to appear before the Sanhedrin, to be questioned by the High Priest. The Apostles are warned again not to teach the new Gospel. When the Apostles refused to comply, saying "The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead - whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree"; the Sanhedrin became furious and wanted them put to death. But then a Pharisee named Gamaliel [footnote says "The most famous Jewish teacher of his time...; Possibly he was the grandson of Hillel. Saul (Paul) was one of his students".] urged caution and to consider carefully what to be done with the men. Then, Gamaliel mentions movements led by some other leaders who were killed and their movements died out quickly, coming to naught. In the same vein, Gamaliel then refers to "the present case" [ie. Jesus and his followers]: ... "Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God" [Acts 5:4, verse 38]. ... The Apostles were flogged then kicked out. Verse 41 then states, "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ".
