Acts 4

Peter and John Before the Council

1 And as they spoke unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 resentful that they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail unto the next day, for it was now evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5 And it came to pass on the next day that their princes and elders and scribes 6 and Annas, the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power or by what name have ye done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye princes of the people and elders of Israel, 9 if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole, 10 be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men in which we can be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled, and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding 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? for that indeed a notable miracle has been done by them is manifest to all those that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them that from now on they speak to no man in this name. 18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 Then Peter and John answered and said unto them, Judge whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way how they might punish them because of the people, for everyone glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shown.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

23 And being let go, they went to their own company and reported all that the princes of the priests and the elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, Lord, thou art the God, who hast made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them,

25 who (in the Holy Spirit) by the mouth of thy servant David (our father) hast said, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth were present, and the princes were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.

27 For of a truth against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together (in this city), 28 to do that which thy hand and thy counsel had determined beforehand must be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings and grant unto thy slaves that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 that thou might stretch forth thine hand so that healings and signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy slave Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

They Had Everything in Common

32 And of the multitude of those that had believed was one heart and one soul; no one said that anything he possessed was his own, but they had all things common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 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 35 and laid them down at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made unto each one according to their need. 36 Then Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Previous Book Next Book