Peter and John before the Sanhedrin
1While they were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came upon them, 2annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3They laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, for evening had already come. 4But many who had heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5The next day their rulers, elders and scribes gathered in Jerusalem, 6with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and everyone of the high-priestly family. 7They stood them in the middle and questioned them: “By what power, or in 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 about a kindness done to a sick man, and how he was made well, 10then let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: it is by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead — by him this man stands before you in good health. 11He is the stone that you the builders threw away, and it has become the cornerstone. 12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.” 13Seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and realizing that they were untrained, ordinary men, they were astonished; and they recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. 14And since they could see the healed man standing there with them, they had nothing to say against it. 15So they ordered them out of the Sanhedrin and conferred with one another. 16“What are we to do with these men?” they said. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign has been done through them, and we cannot deny it. 17But to keep it from spreading any further among the people, let us warn them never again to speak to anyone in this name.” 18So they called them in and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered them, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God. 20For our part, we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21After further threats they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for everyone was glorifying God for what had happened, 22since the man who had received this sign of healing was more than forty years old.
The Prayer of the Believers
23Once released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said. 24When they heard it, with one mind they raised their voices to God: “Master, you made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 25You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David, your servant: ‘Why did the nations rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.’ 27It is true: in this very city they gathered against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed — Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel — 28to do whatever your hand and your purpose had decided beforehand should happen. 29And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30as you stretch out your hand to heal and to bring about signs and wonders through the name of your 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 spoke the word of God boldly.
Everything Held in Common
32The whole company of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own; everything they had was held in common. 33With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34There was no one in need among them, for all who owned lands or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale 35and lay them at the apostles’ feet; and it was distributed to each according to need. 36Joseph, whom the apostles called Barnabas — which means Son of Encouragement — a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37owned a field; he sold it, brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
