Acts 4
1
Now while they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple,
and the Sadducees came upon them,
2
being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus
the resurrection of the dead.
3
And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was
already evening.
4
However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came
to be about five thousand.
5
Now it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes were
gathered together at Jerusalem,
6
as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were
of high priestly descent.
7
And they brought them forward and began to inquire, "By what power or by what name
have you done this?"
8
Then Peter, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the
people and elders of Israel:
9
If we today are being judged for a good work to a weak man, by what means he has been
made well,
10
let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus
Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this[ name]
this [man] stands here before you whole.
11
This is the 'stone which was rejected by you, the builders, which became the chief
cornerstone.'
12
Nor is there salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven which
has been given among men by which we must be saved."
13
Now when they observed the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were
uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they recognized that they had been
with Jesus.
14
But because they saw standing with them the man who had been healed, they had nothing
to say against [them].
15
And they commanded them to go away outside the council, and began to confer among
themselves,
16
saying, "What shall we do to these men? For indeed, that a known sign has come to
pass by them is evident to all those who are dwelling in Jerusalem, and we cannot
deny it.
17
But lest it be spread further among the people, let us threaten them with a threat,
to speak no longer in this name."
18
And summoning them, they commanded them not to speak at all nor to teach in the name
of Jesus.
19
But Peter and John answered them and said, "Whether it is right before God to hear
you rather than God, you judge.
20
For we can do none other but to speak the things which we saw and heard.
21
So having threatened them further, they released them, finding no way of punishing
them, on account of the people, because they all were glorifying God over that which
had occurred.
22
For the man was over forty, on whom had come about this sign of healing.
23
And being released, they came to their own, and reported all that the chief priests
and elders had said to them.
24
So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one mind and said: "Lord,
You are God, who made heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
25
who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, and the
people conspired vain things?
26
The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were assembled together against
the LORD and against His Christ.'
27
"For truly they were assembled against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed,
both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel,
28
to do all that Your hand and Your counsel foreordained to come to pass.
29
Now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness
they may speak Your word,
30
by extending Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may come about through
the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."
31
And when they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken; and they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
32
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did
anyone say that any of the things belonging to him was his own, but they had all things
in common.
33
And with great power the apostles were giving forth their witness of the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
34
Nor was there anyone needy among them; for all who were owners of lands or houses
were selling them, and were bringing the proceeds of the things which had been sold,
35
and were placing them beside the feet of the apostles; and they were distributing
to each, to the degree that anyone had need.
36
And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of
Encouragement), a Levite, a Cyprian by nation,
37
who, possessing a field, sold it and brought the money and placed it beside the feet
of the apostles.