1 T he religious leaders and the leader of the house of God and some of the religious group who believe no one will be raised from the dead came to Peter and John while they were talking to the people.

As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them,

2 T hey were angry because Peter and John had been teaching the people and preaching that Jesus had been raised from the dead.

being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3 S o they took them and put them in prison until the next day because it was evening.

They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.

4 B ut many of those who heard what Peter and John said put their trust in Christ. The group of followers was now about 5, 000 men. Peter Speaks to the Religious Leaders’ Court

But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5 T he next day the leaders of the court and the leaders of the people and the teachers of the Law came together in Jerusalem.

In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.

6 A nnas the head religious leader was there. Caiaphas and John and Alexander were there also and all who were in the family of the head religious leader.

Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.

7 T hey put the missionaries in front of them and asked, “By what power or in whose name have you done this?”

When they had stood them in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”

8 T hen Peter, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, said, “You who are leaders of the people,

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9 a re you asking us today about the good work we did to a man who needed help? Are you asking how he was healed?

if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,

10 Y ou and all the Jews must know that it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you nailed to a cross and God raised from the dead. It is through Him that this man stands in front of you well and strong.

be it 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, in him does this man stand here before you whole.

11 C hrist is the Stone that was put aside by you workmen. But He has become the most important Stone in the building.

He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’

12 T here is no way to be saved from the punishment of sin through anyone else. For there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we can be saved.” Peter and John Are Free to Go but Are Told Not to Preach

There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”

13 T hey were surprised and wondered how easy it was for Peter and John to speak. They could tell they were men who had not gone to school. But they knew they had been with Jesus.

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 T hey were not able to argue about what Peter and John had said because the man who had been healed was standing with them.

Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 T he religious leaders told Peter and John to leave the court so the leaders could talk together.

But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16 T hey said, “What should we do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows a powerful work has been done by them. We cannot say that it did not happen.

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 L et us tell them with strong words that they must not speak again to anyone in this name. This will keep the news from going out among the people.”

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 T hen they called them in and told them they must not speak or teach anymore in the name of Jesus.

They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 P eter and John said, “If it is right to listen to you more than to God, you decide about that.

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 F or we must tell what we have seen and heard.”

for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”

21 A fter they had spoken more sharp words to them, they let them go. They could not beat them because the people were giving thanks to God for what had happened.

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 T he man on whom this powerful work of healing had been done was more than forty years old. The Prayer of the Young Church

For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

23 A s soon as the missionaries were free to go, they went back to their own group. They told them everything the religious leaders had said.

Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

24 W hen they heard it, they all prayed to God, saying, “Lord God, You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them.

When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;

25 Y ou said through the Holy Spirit by the mouth of our father David, ‘Why are the nations so shaken up and the people planning foolish things?

who by the mouth of your servant, David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?

26 T he kings of the earth stood in a line ready to fight, and the leaders were all against the Lord and against His Christ.’

The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take council together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’

27 Y ou know that Herod and Pilate and the Jews and the people who are not Jews gathered together here against Jesus. He was Your Holy Son and the One You had chosen

“For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together

28 t o do everything You planned and said would happen.

to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen.

29 A nd now, Lord, listen to their sharp words. Make it easy for your servants to preach Your Word with power.

Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,

30 M ay You heal and do powerful works and special things to see through the name of Jesus, Your Holy Son!” The Christians Are Filled with the Holy Spirit

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 W hen they had finished praying, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. It was easy for them to speak the Word of God. The New Way of Life

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 T he many followers acted and thought the same way. None of them said that any of their things were their own, but they shared all things.

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 T he missionaries told with much power how Jesus was raised from the dead. God’s favor was on them all.

With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.

34 N o one was in need. All who owned houses or pieces of land sold them and brought the money from what was sold.

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 T hey gave it to the missionaries. It was divided to each one as he had need.

and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.

36 J oseph was among them. The missionaries called him Barnabas. His name means Son of Comfort. He was from the family group of Levi and from the country of Cyprus.

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 H e had some land which he sold and brought the money to the missionaries.

having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.