⁵ The next day the rulers,^(A) the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,^(B) John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. ⁷ They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,^(C) said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!^{(D) 9} If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame^(E) and are being asked how he was healed, ¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,^(F) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,^(G) that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ Jesus is

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”^(I)

¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John^(J) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,^(K) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.^{(L) 14} But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. ¹⁵ So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin^(M) and then conferred together. ¹⁶ “What are we going to do with these men?”^(N) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,^(O) and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

¹⁸ Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.^{(P) 19} But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?^(Q) You be the judges! ²⁰ As for us, we cannot help speaking^(R) about what we have seen and heard.”^(S)

²¹ After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people^(T) were praising God^(U) for what had happened. ²² For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray

²³ On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.^(V) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.^{(W) 25} You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:^(X)

²⁷ Indeed Herod^(Z) and Pontius Pilate^(AA) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,^(AB) whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.^{(AC) 29} Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.^{(AD) 30} Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders^(AE) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”^(AF)

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.^(AG) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit^(AH) and spoke the word of God^(AI) boldly.^(AJ)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.^{(AK) 33} With great power the apostles continued to testify^(AL) to the resurrection^(AM) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace^(AN) was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,^(AO) brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet,^(AP) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.^(AQ)

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas^(AR) (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.^(AS)