Peter and John Before the Council

Acts 4

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.

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