Acts 4

1. And as they spoke unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,

2. being aggrieved that they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3. And they laid hands on them and put them in hold until the next day, for it was now eventide.

4. However, many of those who had heard the Word believed, the number of the men being about five thousand.

5. And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes,

6. and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and as many as were kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7. And when they had set them in their midst, they asked, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?”

8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, “Ye rulers of the people and elders of Israel,

9. if we this day are examined about the good deed done to the infirm man, and by what means he is made whole,

10. be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified and whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11. This is ‘the stone which was set at nought by you builders and which has become the head of the corner.’

12. Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.”

13. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took note concerning them that they had been with Jesus.

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

15. But when they had commanded them to go outside the council, they conferred among themselves,

16. saying, “What shall we do to these men? For indeed, that a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all those who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17. But so that it spread no further among the people, let us strictly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.”

18. And they called them back and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye;

20. for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

21. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing for which they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which had been done.

22. For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing was shown.

23. And being let go, they went to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24. And when they heard this, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, “Lord, Thou art God who hast made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them,

25. who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, ‘Why did the heathen 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 truly against Thy holy child Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, had gathered together

28. to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done.

29. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant unto Thy servants that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word,

30. by stretching forth Thine hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Thy holy child Jesus.”

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

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

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

34. Neither was there any among them that lacked, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold

35. and laid them down at the apostles’ feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

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

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