Dual Panel1They were still addressing the people when the chief priests, together with the controller of the temple and the Sadducees, broke in on them,
2annoyed because they were proclaiming the resurrection from the dead by teaching the people about Jesus.
3They were arrested and, as it was already evening, put in prison for the night.
4But many of those who had heard the message became believers, bringing the number of men to about five thousand.
5Next day the Jewish rulers, elders, and scribes met in Jerusalem.
6There were present Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.
7They brought the apostles before the court and began to interrogate them. “By what power”, they asked, “or by what name have such men as you done this?”
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered, “Rulers of the people and elders,
9if it is about help given to a sick man that we are being questioned today, and the means by which he was cured,
10this is our answer to all of you and to all the people of Israel: it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, and whom God raised from the dead; through him this man stands here before you fit and well.
11This Jesus is the stone, rejected by you the builders, which has become the corner-stone.
12There is no salvation through anyone else; in all the world no other name has been granted to mankind by which we can be saved.”
13Observing that Peter and John were uneducated laymen, they were astonished at their boldness and took note that they had been companions of Jesus;
14but with the man who had been cured standing in full view beside them, they had nothing to say in reply.
15So they ordered them to leave the court, and then conferred among themselves.
16“What are we to do with these men?” they said. “It is common knowledge in Jerusalem that a notable miracle has come about through them; and we cannot deny it.
17But to stop this from spreading farther among the people, we had better caution them never again to speak to anyone in this name.”
18They then called them in and ordered them to refrain from all public speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus.
19But Peter and John replied: “Is it right in the eyes of God for us to obey you rather than him? Judge for yourselves.
20We cannot possibly give up speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21With a repeated caution the court discharged them. They could not see how they were to punish them, because the people were all giving glory to God for what had happened.
22The man upon whom this miracle of healing had been performed was over forty years old.
23As soon as they were discharged the apostles went back to their friends and told them everything that the chief priests and elders had said.
24When they heard it, they raised their voices with one accord and called upon God. “Sovereign Lord, Maker of heaven and earth and sea and of everything in them,
25you said by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of David your servant, Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples hatch their futile plots?
26The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers made common cause against the Lord and against his Messiah.
27“They did indeed make common cause in this very city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed as Messiah. Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and with the peoples of Israel
28to do all the things which, under your hand and by your decree, were foreordained.
29And now, O Lord, mark their threats, and enable those who serve you to speak your word with all boldness.
30Stretch out your hand to heal and cause signs and portents to be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31When they had ended their prayer, the building where they were assembled rocked, and all were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke God's word with boldness.
32THE whole company of believers was united in heart and soul. Not one of them claimed any of his possessions as his own; everything was held in common.
33With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and all were held in high esteem.
34There was never a needy person among them, because those who had property in land or houses would sell it, bring the proceeds of the sale,
35and lay them at the feet of the apostles, to be distributed to any who were in need.
36For instance Joseph, surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”), a Levite and by birth a Cypriot,
37sold an estate which he owned; he brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.