Acts of the Apostles 4
4
Peter and John questioned
1While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them. 2They were incensed that the apostles were teaching the people and announcing that the resurrection of the dead was happening because of Jesus. 3They seized Peter and John and put them in prison until the next day. (It was already evening.) 4Many who heard the word became believers, and their number grew to about five thousand.
5The next day the leaders, elders, and legal experts gathered in Jerusalem, 6along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others from the high priest’s family. 7They had Peter and John brought before them and asked, “By what power or in what name did you do this?”
8Then Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, answered, “Leaders of the people and elders, 9are we being examined today because something good was done for a sick person, a good deed that healed him? 10If so, then you and all the people of Israel need to know that this man stands healthy before you because of the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone! 12Salvation can be found in no one else. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved.”
13The council was caught by surprise by the confidence with which Peter and John spoke. After all, they understood that these apostles were uneducated and inexperienced. They also recognized that they had been followers of Jesus. 14However, since the healed man was standing with Peter and John before their own eyes, they had no rebuttal. 15After ordering them to wait outside, the council members began to confer with each other. 16“What should we do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem is aware of the sign performed through them. It’s obvious to everyone and we can’t deny it. 17To keep it from spreading further among the people, we need to warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.” 18When they called Peter and John back, they demanded that they stop all speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus.
19Peter and John responded, “It’s up to you to determine whether it’s right before God to obey you rather than God. 20As for us, we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21They threatened them further, then released them. Because of public support for Peter and John, they couldn’t find a way to punish them. Everyone was praising God for what had happened, 22because the man who had experienced this sign of healing was over 40 years old.
The believers pray
23After their release, Peter and John returned to the brothers and sisters and reported everything the chief priests and elders had said. 24They listened, then lifted their voices in unison to God, “Master, you are the one who created the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. 25You are the one who spoke by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:
“Why did the Gentiles rage”,
“and the peoples plot in vain?”
26“The kings of the earth took their stand”
“and the rulers gathered together as one”
“against the Lord and against his Christ.”#4.26 Or anointed one;Ps 2:1-2
27Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Gentiles and Israelites, did gather in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what your power and plan had already determined would happen. 29Now, Lord, take note of their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with complete confidence. 30Stretch out your hand to bring healing and enable signs and wonders to be performed through the name of Jesus, your holy servant.” 31After they prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking God’s word with confidence.
Sharing among the believers
32The community of believers was one in heart and mind. None of them would say, “This is mine!” about any of their possessions, but held everything in common. 33The apostles continued to bear powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and an abundance of grace was at work among them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. Those who owned properties or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds from the sales, 35and place them in the care and under the authority of the apostles. Then it was distributed to anyone who was in need.
36Joseph, whom the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (that is, “one who encourages”), was a Levite from Cyprus. 37He owned a field, sold it, brought the money, and placed it in the care and under the authority of the apostles.
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Acts 4
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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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.