Acts 4

Peter and John Before the Council

1 [While Peter and John] were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of [the] dead. 3 They seized [Peter and John] , and because it was already evening, they put [them] in custody until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day [the] rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6 along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family. 7 They had [Peter and John] {brought} in [and] began to question them: “By what power or what name {did} you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with [the] Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being examined today about a kind service [to a] man [who was] lame, [to determine] how he was healed, 10 [then] let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: [It is] by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified [but] whom God raised from [the] dead, [that] this [man] stands before you healed. 11 [He] is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become [the] cornerstone.’ ▼

▼Psalm 118:22

12 Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

The Name Forbidden

13 [When] they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that [these men] had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing [there] with them, they had nothing to say in response. 15 So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin [and] then conferred together. 16 “What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “ - [It] is clear to everyone living [in] Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny [it] . 17 But to keep [this message] from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no more in this name.” 18 Then they called them in [again] and commanded [them] not to speak [or] teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. 20 For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 [So] [the Council members] threatened them further [and] let them go. They could not find a way to punish them, because {all} the people were glorifying God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years [old] .

The Believers' Prayer

23 On their release, [Peter and John] returned to [their] own people and reported everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 [When] [the believers] heard this, they lifted up [their] voices to God with one accord. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 25 [You] spoke by [the] Holy Spirit through [the] mouth of Your servant, ▼

▼Or child; also verses 27 and 30

our father David: ‘Why {do} the nations rage, and [the] peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take [their] stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’ ▼

▼Psalm 2:1,2

27 In fact, in this very city Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with [the] Gentiles and [the] people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. 28 They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen. 29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness, 30 as You stretch out Your hand to heal and [perform] signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” 31 [After] they had prayed, [their] meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Sharing among Believers

32 The congregation of believers was one [in] heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned. 33 [With] great power, the apostles continued to give [their] testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell [ their property ] , bring the proceeds from [the] sales, 35 and lay [them] at the apostles’ feet for distribution [to] anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (vvv meaning Son of Encouragement ), 37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid [it] at the apostles’ feet.