Chapter 4
1 As they spoke to the people , the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them ,
2 being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead .
3 They laid hands on them , and put them in custody until the next day , for it was now evening .
4 But many of those who heard the word believed , and the number of the men came to be about five thousand .
5 In the morning, their rulers, elders , and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem .
6 Annas the high priest was there , with Caiaphas , John , Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.
7 When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them , they inquired , " By what power , or in what name , have you done this ?"
8 Then Peter , filled with the Holy Spirit , said to them , " You rulers of the people and elders of Israel,
9 if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man , by what means this man has been healed ,
10 may it be known to you all , and to all the people of Israel , that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth , whom you crucified , whom God raised from the dead , this man stands here before you whole in him .
11 He is ‘ the stone which was regarded as worthless by you , the builders , which has become the head of the corner .’
12 There is salvation in no one else , for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men , by which we must be saved !"
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John , and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men , they marveled . They recognized that they had been with Jesus .
14 Seeing the man who was healed standing with them , they could say nothing against it .
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council , they conferred among themselves ,
16 saying , " What shall we do to these men ? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them , as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem , and we can ’ t deny it .
17 But so that this spreads no further among the people , let ’s threaten them , that from now on they don’ t speak to anyone in this name ."
18 They called them , and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus .
19 But Peter and John answered them , " Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God , judge for yourselves ,
20 for we can ’t help telling the things which we saw and heard."
21 When they had further threatened them , they let them go, finding no way to punish them , because of the people ; for everyone glorified God for that which was done .
22 For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old .
23 Being let go , they came to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them .
24 When they heard it , they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said , "O Lord , you are God , who made the sky , the earth , the sea , and all that is in them ;
25 who by the mouth of your servant David , said , ‘ Why do the nations rage , and the peoples plot a vain thing ?
26 The kings of the earth take a stand , and the rulers plot together , against the Lord , and against his Christ .’
27 " For truly , both Herod and Pontius Pilate , with the Gentiles and the people of Israel , were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus , whom you anointed ,
28 to do whatever your hand and your counsel foreordained to happen .
29 Now , Lord , look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness ,
30 while you stretch out your hand to heal ; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus ."
31 When they had prayed , the place was shaken where they were gathered together . They were all filled with the Holy Spirit , and they spoke the word of God with boldness .
32 The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul . Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own , but they had all things in common .
33 With great power , the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus . Great grace was on them all .
34 For neither was there among them any who lacked , for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them , and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold ,
35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet ; and distribution was made to each , according as anyone had need .
36 Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas ( which is , being interpreted , Son of Encouragement ), a Levite , a man of Cyprus by race ,
37 having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet .