5
1 But
a certain man
named Ananias, with
Sapphira his wife,
sold a possession,
2 and
kept back part
of the price,
his wife also
being aware of
it, then brought
a certain part
and laid it
at the apostles’
feet.
3 But
Peter said, “Ananias,
why has Satan
filled your heart
to lie to
the Holy Spirit
and to keep
back part of
the price of
the land?
4 While
you kept it,
didn’t it remain
your own? After
it was sold,
wasn’t it in
your power? How
is it that
you have conceived
this thing in
your heart?
You haven’t lied
to men, but
to God.”
5 Ananias, hearing
these words, fell
down and died.
Great fear came
on all who heard
these things.
6 The
young men arose
and wrapped him
up, and they
carried him out
and buried him.
7 About
three hours later,
his wife, not
knowing what had
happened, came in.
8 Peter
answered her, “Tell
me whether you sold
the land for
so much.”
She said, “Yes,
for so much.”
9 But
Peter asked her,
“How is it
that you have
agreed together to
tempt the Spirit
of the Lord?
Behold, the feet
of those who
have buried
your husband are
at the door,
and they will
carry you out.”
10 She
fell down
immediately at his
feet and died.
The young men
came in and
found her dead,
and they carried
her out and
buried her by
her husband.
11 Great
fear came on
the whole assembly,
and on all
who heard these
things.
12 By
the hands of
the apostles many
signs and wonders
were done among
the people. They
were all with
one accord in
Solomon’s porch.
13 None
of the rest
dared to join
them; however, the
people honored them.
14 More
believers were
added to the
Lord, multitudes
of both men
and women.
15 They
even carried out
the sick into the
streets and laid
them on cots
and mattresses, so
that as Peter
came by, at
least his shadow
might overshadow
some of them.
16 The
multitude also
came together from
the cities around
Jerusalem, bringing
sick people and
those who
were tormented by unclean
spirits; and they
were all healed.
17 But
the high priest
rose up, and
all those who
were with him (which
is the sect of
the Sadducees),
and they were
filled with
jealousy
18 and
laid hands on
the apostles, then
put them in
public custody.
19 But
an angel of the
Lord opened the
prison doors by
night, and brought
them out and
said,
20 “Go
stand and speak
in the temple
to the people
all the words
of this life.”
21 When
they heard this,
they entered into
the temple about
daybreak and
taught. But the
high priest and
those who were
with him came
and called the
council together,
with all the
senate of the
children of Israel,
and sent to
the prison to
have them brought.
22 But
the officers who
came didn’t find
them in the
prison. They returned
and reported,
23 “We
found the prison
shut and locked,
and the guards
standing before
the doors, but
when we opened
them, we found
no one inside!”
24 Now
when the
high priest, the
captain of the
temple, and the
chief priests heard these
words, they were
very perplexed
about them and
what might become
of this.
25 One
came and told them,
“Behold, the men
whom you put
in prison are
in the temple,
standing and
teaching the
people.”
26 Then
the captain went
with the officers,
and brought them
without violence, for
they were afraid
that the
people might stone
them.
27 When
they had brought
them, they set
them before the
council. The
high priest questioned
them,
28 saying,
“Didn’t we strictly
command you not
to teach in
this name? Behold,
you have filled
Jerusalem with
your teaching, and
intend to bring
this man’s blood
on us.”
29 But
Peter and
the apostles answered, “We
must obey God
rather than men.
30 The
God of our
fathers raised up
Jesus, whom
you killed, hanging
him on a
tree.
31 God
exalted him with
his right hand
to be a Prince
and a Savior,
to give repentance
to Israel,
and remission of sins.
32 We
are his witnesses
of these things;
and so also
is the Holy
Spirit, whom God
has given to
those who obey
him.”
33 But
they, when
they heard this,
were cut to
the heart, and
were determined
to kill them.
34 But
one stood up
in the council,
a Pharisee named
Gamaliel, a
teacher of the
law, honored by
all the people,
and commanded to
put the apostles
out for a
little while.
35 He
said to them, “You
men of Israel,
be careful
concerning these
men, what you
are about to
do.
36 For
before these days
Theudas rose up,
making himself out
to be somebody;
to whom a number
of men, about
four hundred,
joined themselves.
He was slain; and
all, as many
as obeyed him,
were dispersed and
came to nothing.
37 After
this man, Judas
of Galilee rose
up in the
days of
the enrollment, and
drew away some
people after him.
He also perished,
and all, as
many as obeyed
him, were
scattered abroad.
38 Now
I tell you,
withdraw from these
men and leave them
alone. For if
this counsel or
this work is
of men, it
will be overthrown.
39 But
if it is
of God, you
will not be
able to overthrow
it, and you
would be found
even to be
fighting against
God!”
40 They
agreed with him.
Summoning the apostles,
they beat them
and commanded them
not to speak
in the name
of Jesus, and
let them go.
41 They
therefore departed
from the presence
of the council,
rejoicing that
they were counted
worthy to suffer dishonor
for Jesus’ name.
42 Every
day, in the
temple and at
home, they never
stopped teaching
and preaching
Jesus, the Christ.