Acts 4

1. Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

2. Being dismayed because they were teaching the people, and preaching through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3. And they arrested them and put them in the hold until the morning; for it was already evening.

4. But many of those who had heard the message believed, and the number of men was about five thousand.

5. Now it came to pass in the morning that their rulers and elders and scribes were assembled together in Jerusalem,

6. And Annas, the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the high priest’s lineage.

7. And after placing them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or in what name did you do this?”

8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel,

9. If we are examined this day as to a good work done to the infirm man, by what power he has been cured,

10. Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean, Whom you crucified, but Whom God has raised from the dead, by Him this man stands before you whole.

11. This is the Stone that was set at naught by you, the builders, which has become the Head of the corner.

12. And there is no salvation in any other, for neither is there another name under heaven which has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”

13. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlettered and uninstructed men, they were amazed; and they took note of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14. Yet seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they said nothing to oppose them.

15. But after commanding them to go outside the Sanhedrin, they conferred with one another,

16. Saying, “What shall we do to these men? For a remarkable miracle has indeed come to pass through them and is manifest to all those living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17. But that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them with a severe threat not to speak any more to anyone in this name.”

18. And after summoning them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

19. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right before God to listen to you rather than to God, you judge.

20. For we cannot but speak what we have seen and heard.”

21. And after further threatening them, they let them go, finding no means by which they might punish them, because of the people, for all were glorifying God on account of what had been done:

22. Because the man on whom this miraculous healing had been performed was over forty years old.

23. Now after being released, they came to their own brethren and reported to them all that the chief priests and elders had said.

24. And when they heard this, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Master, You are the God Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that are in them,

25. Who by the mouth of Your servant David did say, ‘Why did the nations insolently rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26. The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.’

27. For of a truth they did gather together against Your holy Son, Jesus, Whom You did anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel,

28. To do whatever Your hand and Your counsel had predetermined to take place.

29. And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings, and grant that Your servants may speak Your Word with all boldness,

30. By reaching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Son, Jesus.”

31. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.

32. And the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things common.

33. And with great power the apostles testified of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

34. For neither was anyone among them in want; for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the amounts of those things that were sold,

35. And laid the money at the feet of the apostles; and distribution was made to each one according to his need.

36. And Joses, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles (which is, being interpreted, “son of consolation”), a Levite, born in the country of Cyprus,

37. Had land; and he sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.