Acts Chapter 4
Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
1 While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the Temple, and the Sadducees confronted them. 2 They resented them teaching the people and claiming in Jesus the resurrection. 3 They arrested them and put them in jail till the next day because it was already evening. 4 Many who heard the message believed; the number of men rose to about 5,000.
Acts 4:1-4
5 The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem with 6 Annas the high priest and Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the members the high priest’s family. 7 They stood Peter and John in the assembly, “By what power or name did you do this?”
8 Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said,
“Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if you’re examining us today to find out what good deed has cured this crippled man, 10 know this, you and all the people of Israel: he stands here cured by Jesus the Messiah, the Nazarene you crucified and God resurrected. 11 This is
‘the stone you builders rejected
that’s become the cornerstone’ [Ps 118:22].
12 Salvation lies only in him; no one else under heaven can save us.”
Acts 4:5-12
13 When they saw Peter and John’s boldness and took note that they were unschooled, common men, they were amazed, knowing they’d been with Jesus. 14 They looked at the man standing with them cured and couldn’t say anything against it. 15 They told them to go outside the Sanhedrin while they conferred,
16 “What are we going to do with these men!? It’s obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that they’ve done a notable sign; we can’t deny that. 17 But, to keep it from spreading any further among the people, let’s strictly threaten them not to speak to anybody again in this name.”
18 They called them and commanded them never to teach again in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter answered, “In front of our God, you decide if it’s right to listen to you or to him. 20 We have to say what we’ve seen and heard.”
21 When they’d threatened them some more, they let them go. They couldn’t find anything to punish them for, and the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 The man they’d healed was over 40 years old.
Acts 4:13-22
Praying for Boldness
23 After their release, they reported to their people what the chief priests and elders had said. 24 When they heard it, they said to God together,
“Master, who made earth, sky, and sea, and everything in them, 25 you spoke by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David your servant,
‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot pointless threats?
26 The kings of the earth stood together, and
the rulers assembled as one
against the LORD and his Messiah’ [Ps 2:1-2].
27 Truly in this city, Herod and Pontius Pilate with the ‘Gentiles’ and the ‘people’ of Israel ‘assembled against your Holy Servant Jesus’ 28 to do what you already determined would happen. 29 Now, LORD, look at their threats, and make us your servants bold to speak your message 30 while you heal and bring about signs and wonders through your Holy Servant Jesus.”
31 After they’d prayed, the place where they’d gathered shook, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s message boldly.
Acts 4:23-31
Having All Things in Common
32 The great number of believers united in heart and soul. Nobody considered anything his own; they held everything in common. 33 The apostles were powerfully defending the Lord’s resurrection and experiencing a lot of good will. 34 Nobody lacked what they needed, because the ones who owned land or houses were selling them 35 and taking the proceeds to the apostles. It was distributed as needed. 36 Joseph—that the apostles called Barnabas (Encourager), a Levite, a Cypriot— 37 sold a field and gave the apostles the proceeds.
Acts 4:32-3