Peter and John Before the Council

1. And as they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,
2. being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3. And they laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
4. But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

5. And it came to pass on the next day that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered in Jerusalem,
6. with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander and all who were of the high-priestly family.
7. And having set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”
8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,
9. if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a sick man, by what means he has been made well,
10. be it known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands before you whole.
11. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the head of the corner.
12. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

13. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled, and they recognised them as having been with Jesus.
14. And seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15. But having commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16. saying, “What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17. But, lest it should spread further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak no longer to any man in this name.”
18. And having called them, they commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves.
20. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

21. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, for all glorified God for that which was done.
22. For the man was above forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

23. And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
24. And when they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
25. who by the mouth of Your servant David said, ‘Why did the nations rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.’
27. For truly in this city against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together
28. to do whatever Your hand and Your counsel determined before to be done.

29. And now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,
30. while You stretch out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

The Believers Share Everything

32. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul, and not one said that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
34. For neither was there among them any that lacked, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold
35. and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each as any had need.
36. And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is translated, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a Cypriot by birth,
37. having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.