[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, and 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 was 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
the least his shadow might overshadow some of them. [16] Multitudes 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, and 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 came, and those who were with
him, and called the council together, and 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 had opened it up, 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 charge 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 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 take the apostles out 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: who 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, refrain 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. When they had called the apostles to them, they beat them and
charged 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.
