Acts 5 is where the apostles walk out of a locked prison, stand before the Sanhedrin, and declare: we must obey God rather than men. One of the most dramatic chapters in the New Testament.
Full sung version coming soon.
Lyrics
By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders Were done amongst the people They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night
Go stand and speak in the temple To the people all the words of this life When they heard this they entered into the temple About daybreak and taught The high priest and those who were with him came
They called the council together But the officers didn’t find them in the prison They returned and reported The prison was shut and locked The guards stood before the doors But no one was inside
Behold the men whom you put in prison Are in the temple standing and teaching Then the captain went with the officers Brought them without violence For they were afraid the people might stone them
The high priest questioned them Didn’t we strictly command you Not to teach in this name Behold you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching And intend to bring this man’s blood on us
But Peter and the apostles answered We must obey God rather than men The God of our fathers raised up Jesus Whom you killed hanging him on a tree God exalted him with his right hand To be a Prince and a Saviour
To give repentance to Israel And remission of sins We are his witnesses of these things And so also is the Holy Spirit Whom God has given to those who obey him
When they heard this they were cut to the heart And were determined to kill them But one stood up in the council A Pharisee named Gamaliel A teacher of the law honoured by all the people
Withdraw from these men and leave them alone If this work is of God You will not be able to overthrow it
Listen
Acts (The Acts of the Apostles) 5 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.
Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press