The Believers Pray for Boldness

²³ When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard it, they lifted their voices ^(A)together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, ^(B)who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, ²⁵ who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,^[a] said by the Holy Spirit,

²⁷ for truly in this city there were gathered together against your ^(F)holy servant Jesus, ^(G)whom you anointed, both ^(H)Herod and ^(I)Pontius Pilate, along ^(J)with the Gentiles and ^(K)the peoples of Israel, ^28 (L)to do whatever your hand and ^(M)your plan had predestined to take place. ²⁹ And now, Lord, ^(N)look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all ^(O)boldness, ³⁰ while ^(P)you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed ^(Q)through the name of your ^(R)holy servant Jesus.” ³¹ And when they had prayed, ^(S)the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and ^(T)they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and ^(U)continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

They Had Everything in Common

³² Now the full number of those who believed were of ^(V)one heart and ^(W)soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but ^(X)they had everything in common. ³³ And with great ^(Y)power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and ^(Z)great grace was upon them all. ^34 (AA)There was not a needy person among them, for ^(AB)as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold ³⁵ and ^(AC)laid it at the apostles' feet, and ^(AD)it was distributed to each as any had need.

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

^18 (A)Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” ¹⁹ And they answered, ^(B)“John the Baptist. But others say, ^(C)Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” ²⁰ Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, ^(D)“The Christ of God.”

Jesus Foretells His Death

^21 (E)And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, ^22 (F)saying, ^(G)“The Son of Man must ^(H)suffer many things and ^(I)be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on ^(J)the third day be raised.”

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

²³ And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him ^(K)deny himself and ^(L)take up his cross ^(M)daily and follow me. ²⁴ For ^(N)whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.