Acts of Emissaries of Yeshua (Act) 4
4
1Kefa and Yochanan were still speaking to the people when the cohanim, the captain in charge of the Temple police, and the Tz’dukim came upon them, 2very annoyed that they were teaching the people the doctrine of resurrection from the dead and offering Yeshua as proof. 3The Temple police arrested them; and since it was already evening, they put them in custody overnight. 4However, many of those who heard the message trusted; the number of men alone was about five thousand.
5The next day, the people’s rulers, elders and Torah-teachers assembled in Yerushalayim, 6along with ‘Anan the cohen hagadol, Kayafa, Yochanan, Alexander and the other men from the family of the cohen hagadol. 7They had the emissaries stand before them and asked, “By what power or in what name did you do this?”
8Then Kefa, filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being examined today about a good deed done for a disabled person, if you want to know how he was restored to health, 10then let it be known to you and to all the people of Isra’el that it is in the name of the Messiah, Yeshua from Natzeret, whom you had executed on a stake as a criminal but whom God has raised from the dead, that this man stands before you perfectly healed.
11“This Yeshua is the stone rejected by you builders which has become the cornerstone. 12There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved!”
13When they saw how bold Kefa and Yochanan were, even though they were untrained ‘am-ha’aretz, they were amazed; also they recognized them as having been with Yeshua. 14Moreover, since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there beside them, there was nothing they could say to discredit the healing. 15So they told them to step away from the Sanhedrin while they discussed the matter privately. 16“What can we do with these men?” they asked each other. “Why, anyone in Yerushalayim can see that a remarkable miracle has come about through them — we can’t possibly deny that. 17But to prevent it from spreading any further among the people, let’s warn them not to speak any more to anyone in this name.”
18So they called them in again and ordered them under no circumstances to speak or teach in the name of Yeshua. 19But Kefa and Yochanan answered, “You must judge whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God. 20As for us, we can’t help talking about what we have actually seen and heard.” 21They threatened them some more but finally let them go — they couldn’t punish them because of the people, for everyone was praising God over what had happened, 22since the man who had been miraculously healed was more than forty years old.
23Upon being released, they went back to their friends and reported what the head cohanim and elders had said to them. 24When they heard it, they raised their voices to God with singleness of heart. “Master,” they prayed, “You made heaven, earth, the sea and everything in them. 25By the Ruach HaKodesh, through the mouth of our father David, your servant, you said,
‘Why did the nations rage
and the peoples devise useless plans?
26The kings of the earth took their stand;
and the rulers assembled together
against Adonai
and against his Messiah.’
27“This has come true in this city, since Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Goyim and the peoples of Isra’el, all assembled against your holy servant Yeshua, whom you made Messiah, 28to do what your power and plan had already determined beforehand should happen.
29“So now, Lord, take note of their threats; and enable your slaves to speak your message with boldness! 30Stretch out your hand to heal and to do signs and miracles through the name of your holy servant Yeshua!”
31While they were still praying, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, and they spoke God’s message with boldness.
32All the many believers were one in heart and soul, and no one claimed any of his possessions for himself, but everyone shared everything he had. 33With great power the emissaries continued testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Yeshua, and they were all held in high regard. 34No one among them was poor, since those who owned lands or houses sold them and turned over the proceeds 35to the emissaries to distribute to each according to his need. 36Thus Yosef, whom the emissaries called Bar-Nabba (which means “the Exhorter”), a Levi and a native of Cyprus, 37sold a field which belonged to him and brought the money to the emissaries.
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Acts of Emissaries of Yeshua (Act) 4: CJB
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4
Peter and John Are Brought in Front of the Council
1The apostles were still talking to the people, when some priests, the captain of the temple guard, and some Sadducees arrived. 2These men were angry because the apostles were teaching the people that the dead would be raised from death, just as Jesus had been raised from death. 3It was already late in the afternoon, and they arrested Peter and John and put them in jail for the night. 4But a lot of people who had heard the message believed it. So by now there were about 5,000 followers of the Lord.
5The next morning the leaders, the elders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses met in Jerusalem. 6The high priest Annas was there, as well as Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other members of the high priest's family. 7They brought in Peter and John and made them stand in the middle while they questioned them. They asked, “By what power and in whose name have you done this?”
8Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and told the nation's leaders and the elders:
9You are questioning us today about a kind deed in which a man who could not walk was healed. 10But there is something we must tell you and everyone else in Israel. This man is standing here completely well because of the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You put Jesus to death on a cross, but God raised him to life. 11#Ps 118.22. He is the stone you builders thought was worthless, and now he is the most important stone of all. 12Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone.
13The officials were amazed to see how brave Peter and John were, and they knew that these two apostles were only ordinary men and not well educated. The officials were certain these men had been with Jesus. 14But they could not deny what had happened. The man who had been healed was standing there with the apostles.
15The officials commanded them to leave the council room. Then the officials said to each other, 16“What can we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about this miracle, and we cannot say it didn't happen. 17But to keep this thing from spreading, we will warn them never again to speak to anyone about the name of Jesus.” 18So they called the two apostles back in and told them they must never, for any reason, teach anything about the name of Jesus.
19Peter and John answered, “Do you think God wants us to obey you or to obey him? 20We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard.”
21-22The officials could not find any reason to punish Peter and John. So they threatened them and let them go. The man who was healed by this miracle was more than 40 years old, and everyone was praising God for what had happened.
Peter and Others Pray for Courage
23As soon as Peter and John had been set free, they went back and told the others everything the chief priests and the leaders had said to them. 24#Ex 20.11; Ne 9.6; Ps 146.6. When the rest of the Lord's followers heard this, they prayed together and said:
Master, you created heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. 25#Ps 2.1,2 (LXX). And by the Holy Spirit you spoke to our ancestor David. He was your servant, and you told him to say:
“Why are all the Gentiles
so furious?
Why do people
make foolish plans?
26The kings of earth
prepare for war,
and the rulers
join together
against the Lord
and his Messiah.”
27 #
Lk 23.7-11;
Mt 27.1,2; Mk 15.1; Lk 23.1; Jn 18.28,29. Here in Jerusalem, Herod#4.27 Herod: Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great. and Pontius Pilate got together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel. Then they turned against your holy Servant#4.27 Servant: See the note at 3.13. Jesus, your chosen Messiah. 28They did what you in your power and wisdom had already decided would happen.
29Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message. 30Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant#4.30 Servant: See the note at 3.13. Jesus.
31After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God's message.
Sharing Possessions
32 #
Ac 2.44,45. The group of followers all felt the same way about everything. None of them claimed that their possessions were their own, and they shared everything they had with each other. 33In a powerful way the apostles told everyone that the Lord Jesus was now alive. God greatly blessed his followers,#4.33 God greatly blessed his followers: Or “Everyone highly respected his followers.” 34and no one went in need of anything. Everyone who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money 35to the apostles. Then they would give the money to anyone in need.
36-37Joseph was one of the followers who had sold a piece of property and brought the money to the apostles. He was a Levite from Cyprus, and the apostles called him Barnabas, which means “one who encourages others.”
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