‏ Acts 4

1While they were addressing the people the priests, the commander of the Temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2incensed at their teaching the people, and proclaiming, in the case of Jesus, the resurrection from the dead. 3They arrested them, and put them in prison till the next day, for it was already evening. 4But many of those who had heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5There was held in Jerusalem, next morning, a meeting of their rulers, the elders and scribes, 6and Annas, the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all the members of the high priests family were present. 7Then they made the men stand before them and demanded, "By what power, or in what name, have you fellows done this?" 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them. 9"Rulers and elders of the people, if we are being examined today concerning a benefit conferred upon a cripple, as to how has this man been cured, 10"be it known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him does this man stand before you strong and well. 11"For he is the Stone, cast aside by you builders, which has become the head stone of the corner. 12"There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, in which we must be saved." 13Now when they beheld the glad fearlessness of Peter and John and had perceived that they were amazed; and they began to recognize them, that they were companions of Jesus. 14But since they saw the man standing with them who had been healed, they had nothing to answer.

15So they bade them withdraw from the Sanhedrin, while they conferred together. 16"What," said they, "shall we do with these men? For it is well known throughout Jerusalem that a notable miracle has been performed by them, and we cannot deny it. 17"But that the matter may spread no further among the people, let us threaten them not to speak to any one hereafter about this name." 18So they summoned them, and ordered them not to speak at all, nor to teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John said in reply. "Do you decide whether in the sight of God it is right to obey you rather than God; 20but for our part, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21So when they had further threatened them they let the apostles go, being quite unable to find any way of punishing them because of the people, for everybody was glorifying God over what had happened. 22For the man on whom this miracle of healing had been wrought was over forty years old.

23As soon as the apostles were released, they went to their friends, and told what the high priests and elders had said. 24And when they heard it they all lifted up their voices in prayer to God, saying. "O Sovereign Lord, who madest heaven and earth and sea, and all that in them is, 25"who saidest through the Holy Spirit, by the lips of thy servant David, our forefather. "Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples form futile plans? 26"The kings of the earth set themselves in array, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against his Christ. 27"In this very city they did gather together against thy holy Servant, Jesus whom thou hast anointed - Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and also the tribes of Israel - 28"to do all that thy power and thy will had predetermined should be done. 29"And now Lord, listen to their threats, and grant to thy slaves to proclaim thy message with all boldness, 30"whilst thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; grant too, that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant, Jesus." 31When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the message of the Lord with boldness.

32Now the multitude of the believers was of one heart and one soul, nor did any one of them say that any of his possessions was his own; but they had all things common. 33And the apostles continued with great power to give their witness concerning the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34Nor was there any one of them in want, for all who owned houses or lands would sell them and bring the price of the things that were sold, and lay it at the apostles’ feet; 35and distribution would be made to each according to his need. 36In this way Joseph, whom the apostles called Barnabas ("Son of Encouragement" is what it means), who was a native Cyprus, 37sold a farm which he had, and brought the price, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.