Peter and John Before the Council
And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and athe captain of the temple and bthe Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming ain Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and aput them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and athe number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with aAnnas the high priest and bCaiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, a“By what power or bby what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, afilled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today aconcerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that aby the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, bwhom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 aThis Jesus is the stone that was brejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is asalvation bin no one else, for cthere is no other dname under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 aNow when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed astanding beside them, bthey had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, a“What shall we do with these men? For that ba notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them ato speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, a“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for awe cannot but speak of what bwe have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, abecause of the people, for all were praising God bfor what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices atogether to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, bwho made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
a“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and athe rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his bAnointed’—
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your aholy servant Jesus, bwhom you anointed, both cHerod and dPontius Pilate, along ewith the Gentiles and fthe peoples of Israel, 28 ato do whatever your hand and byour plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, alook upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all bboldness, 30 while ayou stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed bthrough the name of your choly servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, athe place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and bthey were all filled with the Holy Spirit and ccontinued to speak the word of God with boldness.
They Had Everything in Common
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of aone heart and bsoul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but cthey had everything in common. 33 And with great apower the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and bgreat grace was upon them all. 34 aThere was not a needy person among them, for bas many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and alaid it at the apostles’ feet, and bit was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means ason of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and alaid it at the apostles’ feet.