The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 5
{5:1} But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold
a possession, {5:2} and kept back part of the price, his wife also
being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the
apostles' feet. {5:3} But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled
your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the
price of the land? {5:4} While you kept it, didn't it remain your own?
After it was sold, wasn't it in your power? How is it that you have
conceived this thing in your heart? You haven't lied to men, but to
God."
{5:5} Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear
came on all who heard these things. {5:6} The young men arose and
wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him. {5:7} About
three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
{5:8} Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so
much."
She said, "Yes, for so much."
{5:9} But Peter asked her, "How is it that you have agreed together
to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have
buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."
{5:10} She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young
men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried
her by her husband. {5:11} Great fear came on the whole assembly, and
on all who heard these things. {5:12} By the hands of the apostles
many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with
one accord in Solomon's porch. {5:13} None of the rest dared to join
them, however the people honored them. {5:14} More believers were
added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. {5:15} They even
carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and
mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might
overshadow some of them. {5:16} Multitudes also came together from the
cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were
tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed.
{5:17} But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him
(which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with
jealousy, {5:18} and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in
public custody. {5:19} But an angel of the Lord opened the prison
doors by night, and brought them out, and said, {5:20} "Go stand and
speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life."
{5:21} When they heard this, they entered into the temple about
daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were
with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the
children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
{5:22} But the officers who came didn't find them in the prison. They
returned and reported, {5:23} "We found the prison shut and locked,
and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we
found no one inside!"
{5:24} Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the
chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them
and what might become of this. {5:25} One came and told them, "Behold,
the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and
teaching the people." {5:26} Then the captain went with the officers,
and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the
people might stone them.
{5:27} When they had brought them, they set them before the council.
The high priest questioned them, {5:28} saying, "Didn't we strictly
charge you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled
Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood on
us."
{5:29} But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather
than men. {5:30} The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you
killed, hanging him on a tree. {5:31} God exalted him with his right
hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and
remission of sins. {5:32} We are His witnesses of these things; and so
also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
{5:33} But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and
determined to kill them. {5:34} But one stood up in the council, a
Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the
people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while.
{5:35} He said to them, "You men of Israel, be careful concerning
these men, what you are about to do. {5:36} For before these days
Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number
of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all,
as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. {5:37}
After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the
enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and
all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. {5:38} Now I tell
you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this
counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown. {5:39} But if
it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be
found even to be fighting against God!"
{5:40} They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them
and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
{5:41} They therefore departed from the presence of the council,
rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus'
name.
{5:42} Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped
teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.
___
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