欺骗圣灵

有一个名叫阿纳尼亚的人,和他的妻子萨菲拉卖掉了财产。 但他从价款中私自留下了一部分,把一部分拿来放在使徒们的脚前;他的妻子也知道这事。

彼得就说:“阿纳尼亚,为什么撒旦充满了你的心,使你对圣灵说谎,从田产的价款中私自留下一些呢? 田产留着没卖[a]的时候,难道不属于你的吗?卖了以后,价款难道不也是由你做主吗?你心里为什么存有这种念头呢?你不是对人说谎,而是对神说谎了。” 阿纳尼亚听见这话,就仆倒断了气;所有听到这事的人都大为恐惧。 有几个年轻人站起来,把他的尸体[b]裹好,抬出去埋葬了。

隔了大约三个小时,阿纳尼亚的妻子进来,还不知道所发生的事。 彼得问她:“告诉我,你们卖田产的钱,是不是这么多?”

她说:“是的,就这么多。”

彼得就对她说:“你们为什么同心试探主的灵呢?看,埋葬你丈夫之人的脚,已经到门口了,他们也要把你抬出去。”

10 她立刻仆倒在彼得脚前,断了气。那些年轻人进来,看见她死了,也把她抬了出去,埋葬在她丈夫的旁边。 11 全教会和所有听到这些事的人都大为恐惧。

使徒们的神迹奇事

12 主藉着使徒们的手,在民间行了很多神迹和奇事。[c]信徒们[d]都同心合意地聚集[e]所罗门柱廊里。 13 虽然其他的人没有一个敢与他们交往[f],但民众都尊敬他们。 14 信主的人越发增加,连男带女成群结队。 15 人们甚至把病人抬到大街[g]上来,放在床榻上或垫子上,为要在彼得走过来的时候,至少他的影子可以落在一些人身上。 16 还有一群人带着病人和被污灵折磨的人,从耶路撒冷周围的城镇聚集而来,这些人都得了痊愈。

进出监狱

17 于是大祭司就采取行动。他和所有与他在一起的人,就是撒都该教派的人,都满腔嫉妒, 18 下手捉拿使徒们,把他们关在公众拘留所里。 19 但在夜里,主的一位天使打开了监门,领他们出来,说: 20 “你们去站在圣殿里,把这生命的话语,都讲给民众听。” 21 他们听从这话,在清晨的时候就进入圣殿教导人。

使徒们再次受审

这时,大祭司和与他在一起的人来了,他们召集了议会,就是以色列子民长老的全体议会,然后派人到监狱里,要把使徒们带来。 22 但差役们到了监狱里,却找不到他们,就回去报告, 23 说:“我们看见监狱被关得极其稳妥,卫兵都站在各个门口,可是打开那些门,里面却找不到任何人。” 24 [h]圣殿的守卫长[i]和祭司长们听到这些话的时候,就对使徒们的事感到困惑,不知道这事会如何发展。

25 这时,有人来向他们报告说:“看,你们关在监狱里的那些人,正站在圣殿里教导民众呢!” 26 于是守卫长与差役们一起去把使徒们带来,并没有用暴力,因为怕民众用石头砸他们。 27 他们把使徒们带来后,叫他们站在议会当中。大祭司质问他们, 28 说:“我们不是严厉地吩咐你们,不可奉这个人的名教导人吗?可是看哪,你们把你们的教导传遍了耶路撒冷,又想把这个人的血归到我们身上。”

29 彼得和使徒们回答说:“我们必须顺从神过于顺从人。 30 你们挂在木头上杀害的耶稣,我们祖先的神已经使他复活了。 31 神把这一位高举在自己右边做元首、做救主,为了将悔改的心赐给以色列,使罪得赦免。 32 我们就是这些事的见证人。神所赐给那些顺从他之人的圣灵也一同做见证。”

迦玛列的建议

33 议会的人听了,勃然大怒[j],就想要杀了他们。 34 但有一个名叫迦玛列法利赛人,是全体民众所尊敬的律法教师,在议会中站了起来,下令把使徒们[k]暂时带到外面去, 35 就对大家说:“各位以色列人哪,如何处置这些人,你们应当谨慎。 36 因为这些日子之前,提乌达起来说自己是某某人物,跟从他的人数约有四百。这人被杀了以后,所有信从他的人都四散了,归于无有。 37 这人以后,在户口登记期间又有个加利利犹大起来,拉拢民众[l]跟随他。他也死了,所有信从他的人也都四散了。 38 现在我告诉你们:不要管这些人,由他们去吧!因为这计划或这行为,如果是出于人,就会被拆毁; 39 但如果是出于神,你们就不能拆毁他们,恐怕你们反而被看做是与神作对了。”于是议会的人被迦玛列说服了, 40 就叫来使徒们,鞭打了以后,吩咐他们不可再奉耶稣的名讲说,然后把他们释放了。 41 这样使徒们就快快乐乐地离开了议会,因为算是配得上为这名受凌辱。 42 他们每天在圣殿和各家各户不住地教导人,传福音说耶稣是基督。

Footnotes

  1. 使徒行传 5:4 没卖——辅助词语。
  2. 使徒行传 5:6 的尸体——辅助词语。
  3. 使徒行传 5:12 主藉着使徒们的手,在民间行了很多神迹和奇事。——原文直译“有许多神迹和奇事,藉着使徒们的手,发生在人民中间。”
  4. 使徒行传 5:12 信徒们——原文直译“他们”。
  5. 使徒行传 5:12 聚集——辅助词语。
  6. 使徒行传 5:13 与他们交往——或译作“加入他们”。
  7. 使徒行传 5:15 大街——或译作“广场”。
  8. 使徒行传 5:24 有古抄本附“祭司、”。
  9. 使徒行传 5:24 守卫长——原文直译“指挥官”或“司令官”或“将军”。
  10. 使徒行传 5:33 勃然大怒——或译作“心如被刀割”。
  11. 使徒行传 5:34 使徒们——有古抄本作“这些人”。
  12. 使徒行传 5:37 民众——有古抄本作“许多民众”。

Ananias and Sapphira

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”

As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”

“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”

And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”

10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.

The Apostles Heal Many

12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. 14 Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil[a] spirits, and they were all healed.

The Apostles Meet Opposition

17 The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, 20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”

21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.

When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council[b]—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial. 22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, 23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”

24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. 25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”

26 The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. 27 Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28 “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”

29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross.[c] 31 Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. 32 We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them. 34 But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while. 35 Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men! 36 Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. 37 After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.

38 “So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

40 The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.

41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.[d] 42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

Footnotes

  1. 5:16 Greek unclean.
  2. 5:21 Greek Sanhedrin; also in 5:27, 41.
  3. 5:30 Greek on a tree.
  4. 5:41 Greek for the name.

Ananias and Sapphira

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,(A) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(B)

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan(C) has so filled your heart(D) that you have lied to the Holy Spirit(E) and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?(F) Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?(G) What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(H)

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.(I) And great fear(J) seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,(K) and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”(L)

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?(M) Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.(N) Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.(O) 11 Great fear(P) seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

The Apostles Heal Many

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders(Q) among the people. And all the believers used to meet together(R) in Solomon’s Colonnade.(S) 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.(T) 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.(U) 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.(V) 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.(W)

The Apostles Persecuted

17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party(X) of the Sadducees,(Y) were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.(Z) 19 But during the night an angel(AA) of the Lord opened the doors of the jail(AB) and brought them out.(AC) 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”(AD)

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

When the high priest and his associates(AE) arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin(AF)—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there.(AG) So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests(AH) were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.

25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people(AI) would stone them.

27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin(AJ) to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,”(AK) he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”(AL)

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!(AM) 30 The God of our ancestors(AN) raised Jesus from the dead(AO)—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.(AP) 31 God exalted him to his own right hand(AQ) as Prince and Savior(AR) that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.(AS) 32 We are witnesses of these things,(AT) and so is the Holy Spirit,(AU) whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were furious(AV) and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel,(AW) a teacher of the law,(AX) who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census(AY) and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.(AZ) 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”(BA)

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged.(BB) Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing(BC) because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.(BD) 42 Day after day, in the temple courts(BE) and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news(BF) that Jesus is the Messiah.(BG)

Si Ananias at si Safira

May isang lalaki namang nagngangalang Ananias, kasama ang kanyang asawang si Safira, ang nagbili ng bahagi ng kanyang ari-arian. Itinago ni Ananias para sa sarili ang ilang bahagi ng napagbilhan at isang bahagi lamang ang ibinigay sa pamamahala ng mga apostol. Sinang-ayunan ito ng kanyang asawa. Kaya tinanong siya ni Pedro, “Ananias, bakit mo hinayaang puspusin ni Satanas ang iyong puso[a] at nagawa mong magsinungaling sa Banal na Espiritu at itago para sa sarili ang bahagi ng pinagbilhan ng lupa? Hindi ba sa iyo naman ang lupa bago mo iyon ipinagbili? At nang maipagbili na, hindi ba ang napagbilhan ay nasa iyo ring pasya? Bakit naisipan mo pang gawin ang bagay na ito? Hindi ka sa tao nagsinungaling kundi sa Diyos.” Nang marinig ni Ananias ang mga salitang ito, bumagsak siya at namatay. At matinding takot ang naghari sa lahat ng mga nakarinig nito. Lumapit ang mga kabataang lalaki at siya'y binalot, inilabas at inilibing.

Pagkaraan ng halos tatlong oras, pumasok ang kanyang asawa na hindi nalalaman ang nangyari. Sinabi sa kanya ni Pedro, “Sabihin mo sa akin, ito ba ang halagang pinagbilhan ninyo sa lupa?” Sumagot siya, “Iyon nga.” Sinabi sa kanya ni Pedro, “Bakit nagkasundo kayong subukin ang Espiritu ng Panginoon? Tingnan mo, nakatayo sa pintuan ang mga naglibing sa iyong asawa, at dadalhin ka rin nila sa labas.” 10 Noon di'y nabuwal si Safira sa paanan ni Pedro at namatay. Pagpasok ng mga kabataan, natagpuan nilang patay na ang babae kaya't siya'y kanilang inilabas at inilibing sa tabi ng kanyang asawa. 11 Naghari ang matinding takot sa buong iglesya at sa lahat ng mga nakarinig ng mga ito.

Ang mga Himalang Ginawa ng mga Apostol

12 Sa pamamagitan ng mga apostol, maraming mga tanda at kababalaghan ang naganap sa gitna ng mga taong-bayan. Lahat ng mananampalataya ay patuloy na nagsasama-sama sa portiko ni Solomon. 13 Subalit wala nang iba pang nangahas na sumama sa kanila bagaman mataas ang pagtingin sa kanila ng mga tao. 14 Gayunma'y lalo pang dumarami ang mga lalaki at mga babaing sumampalataya sa Panginoon. 15 Dinadala ng mga tao sa mga lansangan ang mga maysakit, at inilalagay sa mga higaan at mga banig upang pagdaan ni Pedro ay madaanan man lamang ng kanyang anino ang ilan sa kanila. 16 Sama-sama ring pumunta ang maraming tao mula sa mga karatig-bayan ng Jerusalem, dala ang mga maysakit at ang mga pinahihirapan ng maruruming espiritu. At silang lahat ay pinagaling.

Ang Pag-uusig sa mga Apostol

17 Matinding inggit ang naghari sa Kataas-taasang Pari at sa lahat ng mga kasama niya, na sekta ng mga Saduceo. Kaya kumilos sila. 18 Dinakip nila ang mga apostol at ikinulong sa bilangguang bayan. 19 Ngunit kinagabihan, isang anghel ng Panginoon ang nagbukas sa mga pintuan ng bilangguan, at pagkatapos silang ilabas ay sinabi sa kanila, 20 “Pumunta kayo sa Templo at sabihin ninyo sa mga tao ang buong balita tungkol sa buhay na ito.” 21 Pagkarinig nila nito, pumasok sila sa templo nang madaling-araw at nagturo. Nang dumating ang Kataas-taasang Pari at ang mga kasamahan niya, pinulong nila ang Sanhedrin, ang buong kapulungan ng mga tagapamahala ng Israel. Nagsugo sila ng mga kawal sa bilangguan upang kunin ang mga apostol. 22 Ngunit pagdating ng mga kawal sa bilangguan, hindi sila natagpuan doon. Bumalik ang mga kawal at nag-ulat, 23 “Nadatnan naming nakakandadong mabuti ang bilangguan, at nakatayo sa mga pintuan ang mga bantay, ngunit nang buksan namin, wala kaming natagpuang tao sa loob.” 24 Nang marinig ito ng pinuno ng mga kawal ng templo at ng mga pinunong pari, nabahala sila. Labis ang kanilang pagtataka kung ano ang nangyayari. 25 Siya namang pagdating ng isang taong nagsabi ng ganito, “Tingnan ninyo! Ang mga lalaking ibinilanggo ninyo ay naroon sa Templo at nagtuturo sa mga tao!” 26 Kaya sumama ang pinuno ng mga kawal sa bantay ng templo at kinuha ang mga apostol. Ngunit hindi sila gumamit ng dahas, sa pangambang baka sila'y batuhin ng mga taong-bayan. 27 Nang kanilang madala ang mga apostol, pinatayo sila sa harap ng Sanhedrin. Tinanong sila ng Kataas-taasang Pari, 28 “Hindi (A) ba't mahigpit namin kayong pinagbawalang magturo sa pangalang ito? Ngunit tingnan ninyo, pinalaganap na ninyo sa Jerusalem ang inyong aral, at nais pa ninyo kaming managot sa pagkamatay[b] ng taong ito!” 29 Ngunit sumagot si Pedro at ang ibang mga apostol, “Ang Diyos ang dapat naming sundin at hindi ang mga tao. 30 Ang Diyos ng ating mga ninuno ang nagbangon kay Jesus, na inyong pinatay nang bitayin ninyo siya sa punongkahoy. 31 Itinaas siya ng Diyos sa kanyang kanang kamay bilang Tagapanguna at Tagapagligtas, upang bigyan ng pagkakataong magsisi ang Israel, at mapatawad ang mga kasalanan. 32 Saksi kami sa mga sinasabi naming ito, gayundin ang Banal na Espiritu na ipinagkaloob ng Diyos sa mga sumusunod sa kanya.” 33 Nang marinig nila ito, nagngitngit sila sa galit at nagbalak na patayin ang mga apostol. 34 Ngunit tumindig ang isang kaanib ng Sanhedrin, isang Fariseo na ang pangalan ay Gamaliel. Siya'y isang dalubhasa sa Kautusan at iginagalang ng buong bayan. Iniutos niyang ilabas sandali ang mga apostol. 35 Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Mga kababayan kong Israelita, huwag kayong padalus-dalos sa inyong gagawin sa mga taong ito. 36 Sapagkat kailan lang ay lumitaw si Teudas, na nagpakilalang siya'y magaling. Sumama sa kanya ang may apatnaraang tao, ngunit nang siya'y mapatay, lahat ng sumunod sa kanya ay nagkawatak-watak at sila'y walang kinahinatnan. 37 Pagkatapos ay lumitaw naman si Judas na taga-Galilea nang panahon ng pagpapatala, at nakaakit din siya ng mga tagasunod. Ngunit siya man ay napahamak at ang lahat ng sumunod sa kanya'y nagkahiwa-hiwalay. 38 Kaya't pinapayuhan ko kayo ngayong huwag gumawa ng anumang laban sa mga taong ito. Hayaan ninyo sila. Sapagkat kung ang balak nila, o ang gawa nilang ito ay mula sa tao, ito'y hindi magtatagumpay. 39 Ngunit kung ito'y sa Diyos, hindi ninyo sila kayang pabagsakin. Baka lumabas pa kayong lumalaban sa Diyos!” 40 Sila'y napapayag niya. Kaya nang maipatawag nila ang mga apostol, ipinahagupit nila ang mga ito at inutusang huwag nang magsalita sa pangalan ni Jesus, at pagkatapos ay pinalaya. 41 Umalis sila sa Sanhedrin na nagagalak sapagkat sila'y naging karapat-dapat magtiis ng kahihiyan alang-alang sa Pangalan. 42 Araw-araw, sa templo at sa mga bahay-bahay, wala silang tigil sa pagtuturo at pangangaral na si Jesus ang Cristo.

Footnotes

  1. Mga Gawa 5:3 Sa Griyego, pinuspos ni Satanas ang iyong puso.
  2. Mga Gawa 5:28 Sa Griyego, dugo.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that 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 when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,

23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself 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 scattered, and brought to nought.

37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.