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使徒行传 3:1-8:4
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
使徒行传 3:1-8:4
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
彼得医好瘸腿的人
3 在下午三点祷告的时辰，彼得和约翰上圣殿去。 2 有一个生来瘸腿的人被人抬来。他们天天把他放在那名叫美门的殿门口，让他好向进殿的人讨饭。 3 他看见彼得和约翰将要进殿，就向他们讨饭。 4 彼得和约翰定睛看着他，彼得说：“你看我们！” 5 那人就留意看着他们，希望从他们得些甚么。 6 彼得却说：“金银我都没有，只把我有的给你：我奉拿撒勒人耶稣基督的名，吩咐你行走！” 7 于是拉着他的右手，扶他起来；他的脚和踝骨立刻强壮有力， 8 他一跳就站了起来，并且行走。他连走带跳，赞美 神，同他们进入殿中。 9 群众看见他一边走一边赞美 神； 10 他们一认出他就是那平时坐在圣殿美门口讨饭的，就因他所经历的事，满心希奇，惊讶不已。
彼得在所罗门廊下的讲道
11 那人拉着彼得和约翰的时候，群众都很惊奇，跑到他们那里，就是所罗门廊的下面。 12 彼得看见了，就对群众说：“以色列人哪，为甚么因这事希奇呢？为甚么瞪着我们，好象我们是凭着自己的能力和虔诚，使这人行走呢？ 13 亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各的 神，就是我们祖宗的 神，荣耀了他的仆人耶稣。这位耶稣，你们把他送交官府。彼拉多本来定意要放他，你们却当着彼拉多的面拒绝他。 14 你们把那圣者义者拒绝了，反而要求给你们释放一个杀人犯。 15 你们杀了那‘生命的创始者’， 神却使他从死人中复活。我们就是这件事的见证人。 16 是他的名—因信他的名—使你们所看见所认识的这个人强壮了。这从耶稣而来的信心，当着你们众人面前，把他完全医好了。 17 弟兄们，我知道你们所作的，是出于无知，你们的官长也是这样。 18 但 神曾经借着众先知的口，预先宣告他所立的基督将要受害的事，就这样应验了。 19 所以你们应当悔改归正，使你们的罪得着涂抹。 20 这样，那安乐的日子，必从主面前来到，并且他必把为你们预先选定的基督（耶稣）差来。 21 他必留在天上，直到万物复兴的时候，就是 神自古借着圣先知的口所说的。 22 摩西曾说：‘你们的主 神要从你们弟兄中间，给你们兴起一位先知像我；无论他对你们说甚么，你们都应当听从。 23 无论谁不听从那位先知，必定从民中灭绝。’ 24 所有从撒母耳起，以及相继兴起来讲话的先知，都曾经宣告这些日子。 25 你们是先知的子孙，也是承受 神向你们祖先所立之约的人。 神曾经对亚伯拉罕说：‘地上万族，都要因你的后裔得福。’ 26 神先给你们兴起他的仆人，差他来祝福你们，使你们各人回转，离开邪恶。”
彼得约翰在公议会受审
4 使徒们正对群众讲话的时候，祭司、圣殿的守卫长，和撒都该人来到他们那里。 2 因为使徒教训群众，并且传扬耶稣从死人中复活，他们就非常恼怒， 3 于是下手拿住使徒。那时天已经晚了，就把他们拘留到第二天。 4 然而有许多听道的人信了，男人的数目，约有五千。
5 第二天，犹太人的官长、长老、经学家，都聚集在耶路撒冷， 6 还有大祭司亚那和该亚法、约翰、亚历山大，以及大祭司的家人，所有的人都在那里。 7 他们叫使徒都站在当中，查问说：“你们凭甚么能力，奉谁的名作这事？” 8 当时彼得被圣灵充满，对他们说：“民众的领袖和长老啊！ 9 我们今天受审，如果是为了在那残疾人身上所行的善事，就是这个人怎么会好的， 10 那么，你们各位和以色列全民都应当知道，站在你们面前这人好了，是因拿撒勒人耶稣基督的名。这位耶稣基督，你们把他钉死在十字架上， 神却使他从死人中复活。 11 这耶稣是你们
‘建筑工人所弃的石头，
成了房角的主要石头。’
12 除了他以外，别无拯救，因为在天下人间，没有赐下别的名，我们可以靠着得救。”
13 他们看见彼得和约翰的胆量，也知道这两个人是没有学问的平民，就很惊奇；同时认出他们是跟耶稣一伙的， 14 又看见那医好了的人，和他们一同站着，就没有话可辩驳。 15 于是吩咐他们到公议会外面去，彼此商议， 16 说：“对这些人我们应该怎么办呢？因为有一件人所共知的神迹，借着他们行了出来，所有住在耶路撒冷的人都知道，我们也无法否认。 17 为了避免这件事在民间越传越广，我们应该警告他们，不许再奉这名向任何人谈道。” 18 于是叫了他们来，严禁他们再奉耶稣的名讲论教导。 19 彼得和约翰回答：“听从你们过于听从 神，在 神面前对不对，你们自己说吧！ 20 我们看见的听见的，不能不说！” 21 众人因着所发生的事，都颂赞 神，于是公议会为了群众的缘故，也因为找不到借口惩罚他们，就恐吓一番，把他们放了。 22 原来借着神迹医好的那人，有四十多岁了。
信徒同心祈祷
23 彼得和约翰被释放了之后，回到自己的人那里去，把祭司长和长老说的一切，都告诉他们。 24 他们听了，就同心向 神高声说：“主啊，你是那创造天地、海洋和其中万物的主宰。 25 你曾以圣灵借着你仆人我们祖先大卫的口说：
‘列国为甚么骚动？
万民为甚么空谋妄想？
26 地上的君王都起来，
首领聚在一起，
敌对主和他的受膏者。’
27 希律和本丢．彼拉多，外族人和以色列民，真的在这城里聚集，反对你所膏立的圣仆耶稣， 28 行了你手和你旨意所预定要成就的一切。 29 主啊，他们恐吓我们，现在求你鉴察，也赐你仆人们大有胆量，传讲你的道。 30 求你伸手医治，借着你圣仆耶稣的名，大行神迹奇事。” 31 他们祷告完了，聚会的地方震动起来，他们都被圣灵充满，放胆传讲 神的道。
信徒凡物公用
32 全体信徒一心一意，没有一个人说自己的财物是自己的，他们凡物公用。 33 使徒大有能力，为主耶稣的复活作见证，众人都蒙了大恩。 34 他们中间没有一个有缺乏的，因为凡有田产房屋的都卖了，把得到的钱拿来， 35 放在使徒脚前，照着各人的需要来分配。 36 有一个人名叫约瑟，使徒称他为巴拿巴，就是“安慰者”的意思，他是个利未人，生在塞浦路斯。 37 他卖掉了自己的田地，把钱拿来，放在使徒的脚前。
亚拿尼亚和撒非拉的鉴戒
5 有一个人名叫亚拿尼亚，同他妻子撒非拉，把田产卖了。 2 他私底下把钱留了一部分，妻子也知道这件事。他把其余的一部分带来，放在使徒的脚前。 3 彼得说：“亚拿尼亚，为甚么撒但充满了你的心，使你欺骗圣灵，私底下把卖地的钱留了一部分呢？ 4 田地还没有卖，不是你自己的吗？既然卖了，所得的钱不是由你作主吗？你为甚么存心这样作呢？你这不是欺骗人，而是欺骗 神。” 5 亚拿尼亚一听见这话，就仆倒断了气。所有听见的人都十分害怕。 6 有几个青年人来把他包好，抬出去埋了。
7 大约三小时之后，亚拿尼亚的妻子进来，还不知道发生了甚么事。 8 彼得问她：“你告诉我，你们卖田地的钱，就是这么多吗？”她说：“是的，就是这么多。” 9 彼得说：“你们为甚么串同试探主的灵呢？你看，埋你丈夫的人的脚，已经到了门口，他们也要把你抬出去。” 10 她立刻就仆倒在彼得脚前，断了气。那些青年人进来，发现她死了，把她也抬出去，埋在她丈夫旁边。 11 全体会众和所有听见这事的人，都很害怕。
使徒行神迹奇事
12 主借着使徒的手，在民间行了许多神迹奇事。他们都同心聚集在所罗门廊下， 13 其余的人，没有一个敢接近他们，可是民众都很敬重他们。 14 信主的男男女女越来越多， 15 甚至有人把病人抬到街上，放在小床和褥子上，好让彼得经过时，至少他的身影可以落在一些人身上。 16 耶路撒冷周围城市的人，也带着病人和受污灵缠扰的，蜂拥而来，结果病人全都医好了。
使徒受迫害
17 大祭司和他的同党撒都该人都起来，满心忌恨， 18 于是下手拿住使徒，把他们押在公共拘留所里。 19 夜间有一位天使，打开监门，把他们领出来，说： 20 “你们去，站在殿里，把一切有关这生命的话，都讲给众民听。” 21 使徒听完了，就在黎明的时候，进到殿里去教导。大祭司和他的同党来到了，就召集了公议会和以色列人的众长老，派人到监牢去带使徒出来。 22 差役到了监里，找不到他们，回来报告说： 23 “我们发现监门紧闭，狱卒也守在门外；等到开了门，里面连一个人也找不到。” 24 圣殿的守卫长和祭司长听了这些话，觉得很困惑，不知道这件事将来会怎样。 25 忽然有人来报告说：“你们押在监里的那些人，正站在殿里教导众民呢！” 26 于是守卫长和差役去带使徒来，不过没有用暴力，因为怕众民用石头打他们。
27 既然带来了，就叫他们站在公议会前。大祭司问他们： 28 “我们严厉地吩咐过你们，不准再奉这名教导。看，你们却把你们的道理传遍了耶路撒冷，想要把流这人的血的责任推到我们身上。” 29 彼得和众使徒回答：“服从 神过于服从人，是应当的。 30 你们挂在木头上亲手杀害的耶稣，我们祖先的 神已经使他复活了。 31 神把他高举在自己的右边，作元首作救主，把悔改的心赐给了以色列人，使他们罪得赦免。 32 我们为这些事作证， 神赐给顺从的人的圣灵也为这些事作证。”
33 公议会的人听了，非常恼怒，就想要杀他们。 34 但有一个法利赛人，名叫迦玛列，是民众所尊敬的律法教师。他在公议会中站起来，吩咐人把使徒暂时带出去， 35 然后对大家说：“以色列人哪，你们应当小心处理这些人！ 36 从前有个丢大，自命不凡，附从他的人约有四百。他一被杀，跟从他的人尽都星散，一败涂地。 37 这人之后，在户口登记的时候，又有一个加利利人犹大，拉拢人们来跟从他。后来他也丧命，跟从他的人也就烟消云散了。 38 至于目前的事，我劝你们不要管这些人，由他们吧！因为这计划或这行动，如果是出于人意，终必失败； 39 如果是出于 神，你们就不能破坏他们，恐怕你们是与 神作对了。”他们接受了他的劝告， 40 就传使徒进来，鞭打一顿，禁止他们奉耶稣的名传讲，就把他们释放了。 41 使徒欢欢喜喜从公议会里出来，因为他们算是配得为主的名受辱。 42 他们天天在殿里并在各人的家中，不断地教导，传讲耶稣是基督。
选出七位执事
6 门徒不断增加的时候，讲希腊话的犹太人，埋怨本地的希伯来人，因为在日常的供给上，忽略了他们的寡妇。 2 于是十二使徒召集了众门徒，说：“要我们放下 神的道，去管理伙食，是不合适的。 3 所以弟兄们，应当从你们中间选出七个有好见证、满有圣灵和智慧的人，我们就派他们负责这事。 4 至于我们，我们要专心祈祷、传道。” 5 这个意见全会众都很满意，于是选出司提反，他是一位满有信心和圣灵的人，还有腓利、伯罗哥罗、尼加挪、提门、巴米拿，以及归信犹太教的安提阿人尼哥拉， 6 叫他们站在使徒面前。使徒祷告后，就为他们按手。 7 神的道传开了；在耶路撒冷，门徒人数大大增加，有很多祭司也信从了真道。
司提反被捕
8 司提反满有恩惠能力，在民间施行大奇事和神迹。 9 当时有几个称为“自由人”会堂的人，就是从古利奈和亚历山太来的人，另外还有基利家人和亚西亚人，他们出面与司提反辩论， 10 但司提反靠着圣灵和智慧说话，他们就抵挡不住。 11 于是他们唆使众人，说：“我们听过他说谤渎摩西和 神的话。” 12 又煽动民众、长老、经学家，这些人就来捉拿他，把他带到公议会， 13 并且造了假的证供说：“这人不断抨击圣地和律法。 14 我们听他说过：‘这拿撒勒人耶稣要毁坏这地方，改变摩西传给我们的规例。’” 15 当时，坐在公议会里的人，都注视他，见他的面貌像天使一样。
司提反的申辩
7 大祭司说：“真有这些事吗？” 2 司提反说：“各位父老兄弟请听！我们的祖宗亚伯拉罕，在美索不达米亚，还没有住在哈兰的时候，荣耀的 神向他显现， 3 对他说：‘你要离开本地本族，到我指示你的地方去。’ 4 他就离开迦勒底人的地方，住在哈兰。他父亲死后， 神又叫他从那里迁到你们现在所住的地方。 5 在这里 神并没有赐他产业，连立足之地也没有。但 神应许把这地赐给他和他的后裔为业，虽然那时他还没有儿子。 6 神就这样说：‘你的后裔必在外地寄居，人要奴役、虐待他们四百年。’ 7 神又说：‘奴役他们的那个国家，我要亲自惩罚。以后，他们要出来，在这地方事奉我。’ 8 神也赐他割礼为约。这样，亚伯拉罕生了以撒，第八天就给他行了割礼。后来，以撒生雅各，雅各生了十二位祖先。
9 “祖先妒忌约瑟，把他卖到埃及去，然而 神与他同在， 10 救他脱离一切苦难，使他在埃及王法老面前，有智慧、得恩宠。法老立他为首相，管理埃及和法老的全家。 11 后来埃及和迦南全地遭遇饥荒、大灾难，我们的祖先找不到粮食。 12 雅各听见埃及有谷粮，就派我们的祖先去，这是第一次。 13 第二次的时候，约瑟就向哥哥们表露自己的身世，法老才知道约瑟的家世。 14 约瑟就派人去把他父亲雅各和全家七十五人都接来。 15 于是雅各下了埃及。后来他和我们祖先都死了， 16 运到示剑，埋葬在亚伯拉罕用银子向哈抹子孙买来的坟地里。
17 “ 神给亚伯拉罕的应许快要实现的时候，以色列人在埃及人口繁盛增多； 18 但是，到了另一位不认识约瑟的君王兴起统治埃及的时候， 19 他就谋害我们的同胞，虐待我们的祖先，逼他们拋弃自己的婴孩，不容婴孩存活。 20 就在那时候，摩西出生了，他非常俊美，在父亲的家中抚养了三个月。 21 他被拋弃的时候，法老的女儿把他拾起来，当作儿子抚养。 22 摩西学尽了埃及人的一切学问，说话行事都有能力。
23 “到了四十岁，他心中起了一个念头，要去看望自己的同胞以色列人。 24 当他看见有一个人受欺负，就去护卫，为那受屈的抱不平，打死了那个埃及人。 25 他以为同胞们都必知道 神要借着他的手拯救他们，事实上他们却不知道。 26 第二天，有人在打架，摩西就出面调解，说：‘你们是弟兄，为甚么彼此欺负呢？’ 27 那欺负邻舍的把他推开，说：‘谁立了你作我们的领袖和审判官呢？ 28 难道你想杀我，像昨天杀那个埃及人一样吗？’ 29 摩西因为这句话，就逃到米甸地寄居，在那里生了两个儿子。
30 “过了四十年，在西奈山的旷野，有一位使者，在荆棘中的火焰里，向摩西显现。 31 他见了这个异象，十分惊奇；他正上前察看的时候，就有主的声音说： 32 ‘我是你祖宗的 神，就是亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各的 神。’摩西战战兢兢，不敢观看。 33 主对他说：‘把你脚上的鞋脱掉，因为你所站的地方是圣地。 34 我的子民在埃及所受的痛苦，我实在看见了；他们的叹息我也听见了，我下来是要救他们。你来，我要派你到埃及去。’ 35 他们拒绝了这位摩西，说：‘谁立了你作领袖和审判官呢？’但 神借着在荆棘中向他显现的使者的手，派他作领袖和救赎者。 36 这人领他们出来，并且在埃及地、红海和旷野，行奇事神迹四十年。 37 以前那位对以色列人说‘ 神要从你们弟兄中间，给你们兴起一位先知像我’的，就是这摩西。 38 那曾经在旷野的大会中，和那在西奈山上对他说话的使者同在，也与我们的祖先同在的，就是他。他领受了活的圣言，传给我们。 39 我们的祖先不肯听从他，反而把他推开，他们的心已经转向了埃及， 40 就对亚伦说：‘给我们做一些神像，可以走在我们前头。因为把我们从埃及地领出来的那个摩西，我们不知道他遭遇了甚么事。’ 41 在那些日子里，他们做了一个牛犊，把祭物献给那偶像，并且因自己手所做的而欢乐。 42 于是 神转身离开，任凭他们事奉天象，正如先知书所说：
‘以色列家啊，
你们在旷野四十年，
岂是将祭牲和祭物献给我呢？
43 你们抬着摩洛的帐幕，
和理番神的星，
就是你们做来敬拜的像。
所以我要把你们放逐到巴比伦那一边去。’
44 “我们的祖先在旷野有作证的帐幕，就是跟摩西谈话的那位指示他，依照他看见的样式做的。 45 我们的祖先相继承受了这帐幕， 神把外族人从他们面前赶走以后，他们就同约书亚把帐幕带进所得为业的地方，直到大卫的日子。 46 大卫在 神面前蒙了恩，就求为雅各的 神找个居所， 47 而由所罗门为他建造殿宇。 48 其实至高者并不住人手所造的，正如先知说：
49 ‘主说：天是我的宝座，
地是我的脚凳，
你们要为我建造怎样的殿呢？
哪里是我安息的地方呢？
50 这一切不都是我手所造的吗？’
51 “你们颈项刚硬、心和耳都未受割礼的人哪！你们时常抗拒圣灵，你们的祖先怎样，你们也怎样。 52 有哪一个先知，你们的祖先不迫害呢？你们杀了那些预先宣告那义者要来的人，现在又把那义者出卖了，杀害了。 53 你们领受了由天使传达的律法，却不遵守。”
司提反被石头打死
54 众人听了这些话，心中非常恼怒，就向着司提反咬牙切齿。 55 但司提反被圣灵充满，定睛望着天，看见 神的荣耀，并且看见耶稣站在 神的右边， 56 就说：“看哪！我看见天开了，人子站在 神的右边。” 57 众人大声喊叫，掩着耳朵，一齐向他冲过去， 58 把他推出城外，用石头打他。那些证人把自己的衣服，放在一个名叫扫罗的青年人脚前。 59 他们用石头打司提反的时候，他呼求说：“主耶稣啊，求你接收我的灵魂！” 60 然后跪下来大声喊着说：“主啊，不要把这罪归给他们！”说了这话，就睡了。
8 司提反被害，扫罗也欣然同意。
扫罗迫害教会
从那天起，耶路撒冷的教会大受迫害；除了使徒以外，所有的人都分散到犹太和撒玛利亚各地。 2 有些虔诚的人安葬了司提反，为他大大悲痛一番。 3 扫罗却残害教会，逐家进去，连男带女拉去坐监。
福音传到撒玛利亚
4 那些分散的人，经过各地，传扬福音真道。
Acts 3:1-8:4
New International Version
Acts 3:1-8:4
New International Version
Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
3 One day Peter and John(A) were going up to the temple(B) at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.(C) 2 Now a man who was lame from birth(D) was being carried to the temple gate(E) called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg(F) from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,(G) walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping,(H) and praising God. 9 When all the people(I) saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful,(J) and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Peter Speaks to the Onlookers
11 While the man held on to Peter and John,(K) all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.(L) 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,(M) the God of our fathers,(N) has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over(O) to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate,(P) though he had decided to let him go.(Q) 14 You disowned the Holy(R) and Righteous One(S) and asked that a murderer be released to you.(T) 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.(U) We are witnesses(V) of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus,(W) this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
17 “Now, fellow Israelites,(X) I know that you acted in ignorance,(Y) as did your leaders.(Z) 18 But this is how God fulfilled(AA) what he had foretold(AB) through all the prophets,(AC) saying that his Messiah would suffer.(AD) 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,(AE) that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah,(AF) who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him(AG) until the time comes for God to restore everything,(AH) as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.(AI) 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.(AJ) 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[a](AK)
24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets(AL) who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs(AM) of the prophets and of the covenant(AN) God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’[b](AO) 26 When God raised up(AP) his servant, he sent him first(AQ) to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard(AR) and the Sadducees(AS) 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.(AT) 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail(AU) until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew(AV) to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers,(AW) the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,(AX) 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,(AY) said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!(AZ) 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame(BA) 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,(BB) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,(BC) 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.”(BE)
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John(BF) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,(BG) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.(BH) 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(BI) and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?”(BJ) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,(BK) 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.(BL) 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?(BM) You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking(BN) about what we have seen and heard.”(BO)
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people(BP) were praising God(BQ) 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.(BR) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(BS) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(BT)
“‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.[d]’[e](BU)
27 Indeed Herod(BV) and Pontius Pilate(BW) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,(BX) whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.(BY) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.(BZ) 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders(CA) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”(CB)
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.(CC) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit(CD) and spoke the word of God(CE) boldly.(CF)
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.(CG) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(CH) to the resurrection(CI) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(CJ) 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,(CK) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(CL) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(CM)
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(CN) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(CO)
Ananias and Sapphira
5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,(CP) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(CQ)
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan(CR) has so filled your heart(CS) that you have lied to the Holy Spirit(CT) and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?(CU) 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?(CV) What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(CW)
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.(CX) And great fear(CY) seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,(CZ) and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”(DA)
9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?(DB) 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.(DC) Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.(DD) 11 Great fear(DE) seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders(DF) among the people. And all the believers used to meet together(DG) in Solomon’s Colonnade.(DH) 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.(DI) 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.(DJ) 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.(DK) 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.(DL)
The Apostles Persecuted
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party(DM) of the Sadducees,(DN) were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.(DO) 19 But during the night an angel(DP) of the Lord opened the doors of the jail(DQ) and brought them out.(DR) 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”(DS)
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(DT) arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin(DU)—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.(DV) 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(DW) 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(DX) would stone them.
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin(DY) to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,”(DZ) he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”(EA)
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!(EB) 30 The God of our ancestors(EC) raised Jesus from the dead(ED)—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.(EE) 31 God exalted him to his own right hand(EF) as Prince and Savior(EG) that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.(EH) 32 We are witnesses of these things,(EI) and so is the Holy Spirit,(EJ) whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious(EK) and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel,(EL) a teacher of the law,(EM) 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(EN) 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.(EO) 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”(EP)
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged.(EQ) Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing(ER) because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.(ES) 42 Day after day, in the temple courts(ET) and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news(EU) that Jesus is the Messiah.(EV)
The Choosing of the Seven
6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,(EW) the Hellenistic Jews[f](EX) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows(EY) were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.(EZ) 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples(FA) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God(FB) in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters,(FC) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit(FD) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them(FE) 4 and will give our attention to prayer(FF) and the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,(FG) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;(FH) also Philip,(FI) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed(FJ) and laid their hands on them.(FK)
7 So the word of God spread.(FL) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,(FM) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen Seized
8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs(FN) among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene(FO) and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia(FP) and Asia(FQ)—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.(FR)
11 Then they secretly(FS) persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”(FT)
12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.(FU) 13 They produced false witnesses,(FV) who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place(FW) and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place(FX) and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”(FY)
15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin(FZ) looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Stephen’s Speech to the Sanhedrin
7 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”
2 To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers,(GA) listen to me! The God of glory(GB) appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran.(GC) 3 ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’[g](GD)
4 “So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Harran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living.(GE) 5 He gave him no inheritance here,(GF) not even enough ground to set his foot on. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land,(GG) even though at that time Abraham had no child. 6 God spoke to him in this way: ‘For four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated.(GH) 7 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.’[h](GI) 8 Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision.(GJ) And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth.(GK) Later Isaac became the father of Jacob,(GL) and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.(GM)
9 “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph,(GN) they sold him as a slave into Egypt.(GO) But God was with him(GP) 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.(GQ)
11 “Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food.(GR) 12 When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit.(GS) 13 On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was,(GT) and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family.(GU) 14 After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family,(GV) seventy-five in all.(GW) 15 Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ancestors died.(GX) 16 Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money.(GY)
17 “As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased.(GZ) 18 Then ‘a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.’[i](HA) 19 He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.(HB)
20 “At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child.[j] For three months he was cared for by his family.(HC) 21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.(HD) 22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians(HE) and was powerful in speech and action.
23 “When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. 24 He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. 25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. 26 The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’
27 “But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?(HF) 28 Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’[k] 29 When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.(HG)
30 “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. 31 When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say:(HH) 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers,(HI) the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’[l] Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.(HJ)
33 “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.(HK) 34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’[m](HL)
35 “This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’(HM) He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He led them out of Egypt(HN) and performed wonders and signs(HO) in Egypt, at the Red Sea(HP) and for forty years in the wilderness.(HQ)
37 “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’[n](HR) 38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel(HS) who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors;(HT) and he received living words(HU) to pass on to us.(HV)
39 “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.(HW) 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’[o](HX) 41 That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in what their own hands had made.(HY) 42 But God turned away from them(HZ) and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars.(IA) This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets:
“‘Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings
forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?
43 You have taken up the tabernacle of Molek
and the star of your god Rephan,
the idols you made to worship.
Therefore I will send you into exile’[p](IB) beyond Babylon.
44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law(IC) with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.(ID) 45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them.(IE) It remained in the land until the time of David,(IF) 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.[q](IG) 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.(IH)
48 “However, the Most High(II) does not live in houses made by human hands.(IJ) As the prophet says:
49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.(IK)
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’[r](IL)
51 “You stiff-necked people!(IM) Your hearts(IN) and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute?(IO) They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him(IP)— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels(IQ) but have not obeyed it.”
The Stoning of Stephen
54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious(IR) and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit,(IS) looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.(IT) 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open(IU) and the Son of Man(IV) standing at the right hand of God.”
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city(IW) and began to stone him.(IX) Meanwhile, the witnesses(IY) laid their coats(IZ) at the feet of a young man named Saul.(JA)
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”(JB) 60 Then he fell on his knees(JC) and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”(JD) When he had said this, he fell asleep.(JE)
8 And Saul(JF) approved of their killing him.
The Church Persecuted and Scattered
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered(JG) throughout Judea and Samaria.(JH) 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul(JI) began to destroy the church.(JJ) Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Philip in Samaria
4 Those who had been scattered(JK) preached the word wherever they went.(JL)
Footnotes
- Acts 3:23 Deut. 18:15,18,19
- Acts 3:25 Gen. 22:18; 26:4
- Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22
- Acts 4:26 That is, Messiah or Christ
- Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2
- Acts 6:1 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
- Acts 7:3 Gen. 12:1
- Acts 7:7 Gen. 15:13,14
- Acts 7:18 Exodus 1:8
- Acts 7:20 Or was fair in the sight of God
- Acts 7:28 Exodus 2:14
- Acts 7:32 Exodus 3:6
- Acts 7:34 Exodus 3:5,7,8,10
- Acts 7:37 Deut. 18:15
- Acts 7:40 Exodus 32:1
- Acts 7:43 Amos 5:25-27 (see Septuagint)
- Acts 7:46 Some early manuscripts the house of Jacob
- Acts 7:50 Isaiah 66:1,2
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