Acts 4

Peter and John Arrested

1As they were speaking to the people, the priests and 1the captain of the temple guard and 2the Sadducees 3came up to them, 2being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming 45in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them and 6put them in prison until the next day, for it was already evening. 4But many of those who had heard the 7message believed; and 8the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5On the next day, their 9rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; 6and 10Annas the high priest was there, and 11Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. 7When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” 8Then Peter, 1213filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “1415Rulers and elders of the people, 9if we are 16on trial today for 17a benefit done to a sick man, as to 18how this man has been made well, 10let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that 1920by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom 21God raised from the dead--22by 23this name this man stands here before you in good health. 112425He is the 26stone which was 27rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief cornerstone. 12And there is salvation in 28no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”

Threat and Release

13Now as they observed the 29confidence of 30Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and 31began to recognize them 32as having been with Jesus. 14And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15But when they had ordered them to leave the 3334Council, they began to confer with one another, 16saying, “35What are we to do with these men? For the fact that a 36noteworthy 37miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let’s warn them not to speak any longer to any person 38in this name.” 18And when they had summoned them, they 39commanded them not to speak or teach at all 40in the name of Jesus. 19But 41Peter and John answered and said to them, “42Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment; 20for 43we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) 44on account of the people, because they were all 45glorifying God for what had happened; 22for the man on whom this 46miracle of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

23When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported everything that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24And when they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind and said, “47Lord, it is You who 48made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them, 25who 49by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘50Why were the 51nations insolent, And the peoples plotting in vain?2652The kings of the earth 53took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His 5455Christ.’ 27For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy 5657Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both 58Herod and 59Pontius Pilate, along with 60the 61Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28to do whatever Your hand and 62purpose predestined to occur. 29And 63now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant it to Your bond-servants to 64speak Your word with all 65confidence, 30while You extend Your hand to heal, and 6667signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy 6869Servant Jesus.” 31And when they had prayed, the 70place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all 71filled with the Holy Spirit and began to 72speak the word of God with 73boldness.

Sharing among Believers

32And the 74congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them 75claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but 76all things were common property to them. 33And 77with great power the apostles were giving 78testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses 79would sell them and bring the 80proceeds of the sales 35and 81lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be 82distributed to each to the extent that any had need.

36Now Joseph, a Levite of 83Cyprian birth, who was also called 84Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of 8586Encouragement), 3787owned a tract of land. So he sold it, and brought the money and 88laid it at the apostles’ feet.