The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching^(A) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread^(B) and to prayer.^{(C) 43} Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.^{(D) 44} All the believers were together and had everything in common.^{(E) 45} They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.^{(F) 46} Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.^(G) They broke bread^(H) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.^(I) And the Lord added to their number^(J) daily those who were being saved.

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard^(A) and the Sadducees^(B) came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. ² They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.^{(C) 3} They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail^(D) until the next day. ⁴ But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew^(E) to about five thousand.

⁵ The next day the rulers,^(F) the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,^(G) 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,^(H) said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!^{(I) 9} If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame^(J) 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,^(K) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,^(L) 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.”^(N)

¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John^(O) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,^(P) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.^(Q)