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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2011 Common English Bible. All rights reserved.
Acts 4
4
Peter and John before the Council
1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 6and Annas the high priest, and Cai´aphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11#Ps 118.22. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24#Exod 20.11; Ps 146.6. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is; 25#Ps 2.1,2. who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said,
Why did the heathen rage,
and the people imagine vain things?
26The kings of the earth stood up,
and the rulers were gathered together
against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 #
Luke 23.7-11;
Matt 27.1,2; Mark 15.1; Luke 23.1; John 18.28,29. For of a truth against thy holy child#4.27,30 child or servant. Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child#4.27,30 child or servant. Jesus. 31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
All Things in Common
32 #
Acts 2.44,45. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34#Matt 19.21; Mark 10.21; Luke 12.33; 18.22. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
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King James Version 1611, spelling, punctuation and text formatting modernized by ABS in 1962; typesetting © 2010 American Bible Society.