Moff ACTs Chapter 4

◄ ACTs 4 ► ║ ═ ©

4 While they were speaking to the people, they were surprised by the priests, the commander of the temple, and the Sadducees, 2 who were annoyed at them teaching the people and proclaiming Jesus as an instance of resurrection from the dead. 3 They laid hands on them and, as it was now evening, put them in custody till next morning. 4 (A number of those who heard them speak believed, bringing up their numbers to [about] five thousand.)

5 Next morning a meeting was held in Jerusalem of their rulers, elders and scribes, 6 which was attended by the high priest Annas, by Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all the members of the high priest's family. 7 They made the men stand before them and inquired, "By what authority, in whose name, have you done this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel, 9 if we are being cross-examined to-day upon a benefit rendered to a cripple, upon how this man got better, 10 you and the people of Israel must all understand that he stands before you strong and well, thanks to the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead. 11 He is

the stone despised by you builders,

which has become head of the corner. 12 There is no salvation by anyone else, nor even a second Name under heaven appointed for us men and our salvation."

13 They were astonished to notice how outspoken Peter and John were, and to discover that they were uncultured persons and mere outsiders; they recognized them as having been companions of Jesus, 14 but as they saw the man who had been healed standing beside them, they could say nothing. 15 Ordering them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin, they proceeded to hold a consultation. 16 "What are we to do with these men?" they said. "It is plain to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem that a miracle has admittedly been worked by them. That we cannot deny. 17 However, to keep things from going any further with the people, we had better threaten them that they are not to tell anyone in future about this Name." 18 So they called the men in and ordered them not to speak or teach a single sentence about the Name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Decide for yourselves whether it is right before God to obey you rather than God. 20 Certainly we cannot give up speaking of what we have seen and heard." 21 Then they threatened them still further and let them go; on account of the people they found themselves unable to find any means of punishing them, for everybody was glorifying God over what had happened 22 (the man on whom this miracle of healing had been performed, being more than forty years old).

23 On being released they went to their friends and related what the high priests and elders had said; 24 and on hearing this the entire company raised their cry to God, "O Sovereign Lord, thou art he who made heaven, earth, and sea, and all that in them is, 25 who said to our fathers by the holy Spirit through the lips of thy servant David,

Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples vainly conspire?

Kings of the earth stood ready,

rulers mustered together against the Lord and his Christ. 27 In this very city they actually mustered against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst consecrate — Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 mustering to carry out what thy hand had traced, thy purpose had decreed. 29 So now, O Lord, consider the threats of these men, and grant that thy servants may be perfectly fearless in speaking thy word, 30 when thy hand is stretched out to heal and to perform miracles and wonders by the name of thy holy Servant Jesus." 31 At their prayer the place of meeting was shaken, and they were all filled with the holy Spirit, speaking God's word fearlessly; 33 the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and great grace was upon them all.

32 Now there was but one heart and soul among the multitude of the believers; not one of them considered anything his personal property, they shared all they had with one another. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sale, 35 laying the money before the feet of the apostles; it was then distributed according to each individual's need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was surnamed Barnabas or (as it may be translated) "Son of Encouragement" by the apostles, a Levite of Cypriote birth, 37 sold a farm belonging to him and brought the money, which he placed before the feet of the apostles.

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