AND as they were thus speaking, the priests, and the captain of the
temple-guard, and the Sadducees, came upon them, (2)worn down with
vexation, because they taught the people, and preached by Jesus the
resurrection of the dead. (3)And they laid hands on them, and committed
them to prison till the next day: for it was then evening.
(4)But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the
men was about five thousand. (5)Now it came to pass that the next
morning, their rulers, and elders, and scribes, were assembled at
Jerusalem, (6)and Annas the high-priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and
Alexander, and as many as were the high-priest's relations. (7)And
placing them in the midst, they interrogated them, By what power, or by
what name, have ye done this thing?
(8)Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of
the people, and elders of Israel, (9)if we are this day examined
relative to the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he was
restored; (10)be it known unto you all, and to all the people of
Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean, whom ye
crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him doth this man stand
here sound in your presence. (11)This is the stone which, though set at
nought by you builders, is become the head of the corner[30]. (12)And
there is no salvation in any other person: for there is no other name
under heaven given unto men, whereby we must be saved.
(13)Attentively regarding then the noble confidence of Peter and John,
and perceiving that they were men unlettered, and destitute of
education, they were astonished; and they recollected them, that they
had been with Jesus. (14)But seeing the man who was healed standing
with them, they had not a word to reply in contradiction. (15)But
bidding them retire out of the council-chamber, they conferred among
themselves, (16)saying, What shall we do with these men? for that an
acknowledged miracle hath been wrought by them is evident to all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. (17)But that it be no
farther spread among the people, we will menace them with threats, no
more to speak in this name to any man. (18)So calling them in, they
charged them not to speak in any manner, nor to teach, in the name of
Jesus.
(19)But Peter and John, answering them, said, If it be right in the
sight of God to obey you rather than God, be yourselves the judges.
(20)For we cannot refrain from speaking the things which we have seen
and heard. (21)Then they with many additional threatenings dismissed
them, finding no pretext how they might punish them, because of the
people: for all men glorified God for what had been done. (22)For the
man was more than forty years of age, upon whom this miracle of healing
was performed.
(23)But they being dismissed, came unto their own friends, and told
them all things which the high-priests and elders had said. (24)Now
when they heard it, they lifted up their united voice to God, and said,
Lord, thou art the God which made the heaven, and the earth, and the
sea, and all things which are in them: (25)who by the mouth of David
thy servant saidst, Why do the heathen so furiously rage, and the
people meditate vain things? (26)The kings of the earth rose up, and
the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his
Messiah[31]. (27)For they have been in truth collected together against
thy holy Son Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, even Herod, and Pontius
Pilate, with the heathen, and the people of Israel, (28)to do all that
thy hand and thy counsel predestined should come to pass. (29)And as to
the present transactions, Lord, look upon their threatnings: and grant
thy servants power with all boldness to speak thy word, (30)by
stretching out thy hand for healing; and that signs and miracles may be
performed by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
(31)And while they were praying, the place in which they were assembled
was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they
spake the word of God with boldness.
(32)And in the multitude of those that believed there was one heart and
soul: and not one person said, that any part of his substance was his
peculiar property; but all things were in common among them.
(33)And with great power bore the apostles witness of the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. (34)Neither was
there any person in want among them: for as many as were possessors of
fields or houses disposed of them, and brought the prices of the things
sold, (35)and laid them at the apostles' feet: and a distribution was
made to every one according as he had need. (36)And Joses, who was
surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, (which is, being interpreted, A son
of consolation,) a Levite, a Cyprian by birth, (37)having a field
belonging to him, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the
apostles' feet.