Acts 4

1And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they seized them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. 4But many of those who heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

5On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; 6and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7And when they had set them in the midst, they began to inquire, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are being examined today for a good deed done to a cripple, as to how this man has been healed, 10be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man stands before you healed. 11He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the chief cornerstone. 12And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.

15But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they conferred with one another, 16saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a noteworthy miracle has been performed through them is apparent to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any one in this name." 18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

23When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God together and said, "Sovereign Lord, it is you who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them, 25who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David your servant, said, ‘Why did the gentiles rage, and the peoples plot futile things? 26The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.’ 27For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31And when they had prayed, the place where they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

32Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. 33And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34For there was not a needy person among them, For all who were owners of land or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the sales 35and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36Thus Joseph who was called by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37sold a field which he owned, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.