Acts 4

Acts 4

1As they spoke to the people , the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them ,

2being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead .

3They laid hands on them , and put them in custody until the next day , for it was now evening .

4But many of those who heard the word believed , and the number of the men came to be about five thousand .

5In the morning, their rulers, elders , and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem .

6Annas the high priest was there , with Caiaphas , John , Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.

7When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them , they enquired, “By what power , or in what name , have you done this ?”

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

9if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man , by what means this man has been healed ,

10may 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 .

11He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you , the builders , which has become the head of the corner .’[#Psalms 118:22]

12There is salvation in no one else , for there is no other name under heaven that is given amongst men , by which we must be saved !”

13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John , and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men , they marvelled . They recognised that they had been with Jesus .

14Seeing the man who was healed standing with them , they could say nothing against it .

15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council , they conferred amongst themselves ,

16saying , “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 .

17But so that this spreads no further amongst the people , let ’s threaten them , that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name .”

18They called them , and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus .

19But 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 ,

20for we can ’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”

21When 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 .

22For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old .

23Being let go , they came to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them .

24When 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 ;

25who by the mouth of your servant David , said ,

‘Why do the nations rage ,

and the peoples plot a vain thing ?

26The 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 ,[#4:27 nu adds “in this city,”]

28to do whatever your hand and your counsel foreordained to happen .

29Now , Lord , look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness ,

30while you stretch out your hand to heal ; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus .”

31When 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 .

32The 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 .

33With great power , the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus . Great grace was on them all .

34For neither was there amongst 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 ,

35and laid them at the apostles’ feet ; and distribution was made to each , according as anyone had need .

36Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is , being interpreted , Son of Encouragement ), a Levite , a man of Cyprus by race ,

37having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet .

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