The apostles persecuted

   "The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 

   "Then the high priest and all his associates...were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 'Go,' he said, 'and tell the people the full message of this new life.'

   (The next morning) "...someone said...'Look. The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.'

   (Back to the Sanhedrin) "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood. 

   "Peter and the others replied: 'We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior, that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.'

   "They were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel...addressed them: 'Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. I advise you, 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.'

   "They called the apostles in and had them flogged. The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." 

Acts 5:12, 17-20, 25, 28-35, 38-41