The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 4
{4:1} As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of
the temple and the Sadducees came to them, {4:2} being upset because
they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from
the dead. {4:3} They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until
the next day, for it was now evening. {4:4} But many of those who
heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about
five thousand.
{4:5} It happened in the morning, that their rulers, elders, and
scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem. {4:6} Annas the high
priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were
relatives of the high priest. {4:7} When they had stood them in the
middle of them, they inquired, "By what power, or in what name, have
you done this?"
{4:8} Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "You
rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, {4:9} if we are examined
today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means
this man has been healed, {4:10} 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. {4:11} He is 'the stone which was
regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head
of the corner.'[1] {4:12} 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!"
{4:13} 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. {4:14} Seeing the man
who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
{4:15} But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the
council, they conferred among themselves, {4:16} 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. {4:17} 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." {4:18} They called them, and charged them not to
speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
{4:19} 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, {4:20} for we can't help telling the things which we saw
and heard."
{4:21} 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. {4:22} For the man on whom this
miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
{4:23} Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported
all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. {4:24}
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; {4:25} who by the mouth of your servant,
David, said,
'Why do the nations rage,
and the peoples plot a vain thing?
{4:26} The kings of the earth take a stand,
and the rulers take council together,
against the Lord, and against his [2>]Christ[<2].'[3]
{4:27} "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 {4:28} to do whatever
your hand and your council foreordained to happen. {4:29} Now, Lord,
look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word
with all boldness, {4:30} while you stretch out your hand to heal; and
that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy
Servant Jesus."
{4:31} 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. {4:32} 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. {4:33} With great power, the apostles gave their
testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on
them all. {4:34} 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, {4:35} and laid them at the
apostles' feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone
had need. {4:36} Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas
(which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man
of Cyprus by race, {4:37} having a field, sold it, and brought the
money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
________________________________________________________________________
Footnotes:
[1] {4:11} Psalm 118:22
[2] {4:26} Christ (Greek) and Messiah (Hebrew) both mean Anointed One.
[3] {4:26} Psalm 2:1-2
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