Acts 4
New Life Version
Peter and John Are Put in Prison
4 The religious leaders and the leader of the house of God and some of the religious group who believe no one will be raised from the dead came to Peter and John while they were talking to the people. 2 They were angry because Peter and John had been teaching the people and preaching that Jesus had been raised from the dead. 3 So they took them and put them in prison until the next day because it was evening. 4 But many of those who heard what Peter and John said put their trust in Christ. The group of followers was now about 5,000 men.
Peter Speaks to the Religious Leaders’ Court
5 The next day the leaders of the court and the leaders of the people and the teachers of the Law came together in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the head religious leader was there. Caiaphas and John and Alexander were there also and all who were in the family of the head religious leader. 7 They put the missionaries in front of them and asked, “By what power or in whose name have you done this?”
8 Then Peter, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, said, “You who are leaders of the people, 9 are you asking us today about the good work we did to a man who needed help? Are you asking how he was healed? 10 You and all the Jews must know that it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you nailed to a cross and God raised from the dead. It is through Him that this man stands in front of you well and strong. 11 Christ is the Stone that was put aside by you workmen. But He has become the most important Stone in the building. (A) 12 There is no way to be saved from the punishment of sin through anyone else. For there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we can be saved.”
Peter and John Are Free to Go but Are Told Not to Preach
13 They were surprised and wondered how easy it was for Peter and John to speak. They could tell they were men who had not gone to school. But they knew they had been with Jesus. 14 They were not able to argue about what Peter and John had said because the man who had been healed was standing with them.
15 The religious leaders told Peter and John to leave the court so the leaders could talk together. 16 They said, “What should we do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows a powerful work has been done by them. We cannot say that it did not happen. 17 Let us tell them with strong words that they must not speak again to anyone in this name. This will keep the news from going out among the people.”
18 Then they called them in and told them they must not speak or teach anymore in the name of Jesus. 19 Peter and John said, “If it is right to listen to you more than to God, you decide about that. 20 For we must tell what we have seen and heard.”
21 After they had spoken more sharp words to them, they let them go. They could not beat them because the people were giving thanks to God for what had happened. 22 The man on whom this powerful work of healing had been done was more than forty years old.
The Prayer of the Young Church
23 As soon as the missionaries were free to go, they went back to their own group. They told them everything the religious leaders had said. 24 When they heard it, they all prayed to God, saying, “Lord God, You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them. 25 You said through the Holy Spirit by the mouth of our father David, ‘Why are the nations so shaken up and the people planning foolish things? 26 The kings of the earth stood in a line ready to fight, and the leaders were all against the Lord and against His Christ.’ (B) 27 You know that Herod and Pilate and the Jews and the people who are not Jews gathered together here against Jesus. He was Your Holy Son and the One You had chosen 28 to do everything You planned and said would happen. 29 And now, Lord, listen to their sharp words. Make it easy for your servants to preach Your Word with power. 30 May You heal and do powerful works and special things to see through the name of Jesus, Your Holy Son!”
The Christians Are Filled with the Holy Spirit
31 When they had finished praying, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. It was easy for them to speak the Word of God.
The New Way of Life
32 The many followers acted and thought the same way. None of them said that any of their things were their own, but they shared all things. 33 The missionaries told with much power how Jesus was raised from the dead. God’s favor was on them all. 34 No one was in need. All who owned houses or pieces of land sold them and brought the money from what was sold. 35 They gave it to the missionaries. It was divided to each one as he had need.
36 Joseph was among them. The missionaries called him Barnabas. His name means Son of Comfort. He was from the family group of Levi and from the country of Cyprus. 37 He had some land which he sold and brought the money to the missionaries.
使徒行传 4
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
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。
Acts 4
1599 Geneva Bible
4 1 Peter and John, 3 are taken and brought before the council, 7 and 19 They speak boldly in Christ’s cause. 24 The disciples pray unto God. 32 Many sell their possessions. 36 Of whom Barnabas is one.
1 And [a]as they spake unto the people, the Priests and the [b]Captain of the Temple, and the Sadducees came upon them.
2 Taking it grievously that they taught the people, and preached in Jesus’ Name the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold, until the next day, for it was now eventide.
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word, believed, and the [c]number of the men was about five thousand.
5 ¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their [d]rulers, and Elders, and Scribes, were gathered together at Jerusalem,
6 And Annas the chief Priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the [e]kindred of the high Priest.
7 [f]And when they had set them before them, they asked, By what power, or in what [g]Name have ye done this?
8 Then Peter full of the holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and Elders of Israel,
9 [h]For as much as we this day are examined, of the good deed done to the impotent man, to wit, by what means he is made whole,
10 [i]Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye have crucified, whom God raised again from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you, whole.
11 (A)This is the stone cast aside of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for among men there is [j]given none other [k]Name [l]under heaven, whereby we must be saved.
13 [m]Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were unlearned men and without [n]knowledge, they marveled, and knew them, that they had been with Jesus:
14 And beholding also the man which was healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it.
15 Then they commanded them to go aside out of the Council, and [o]conferred among themselves,
16 [p]Saying, What shall we do to these men? for surely a manifest sign is done by them, and it is openly known to all them that dwell in Jerusalem: and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it be noised no farther among the people, let us threaten and charge them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this Name.
18 So they called them, and commanded them, that in no wise they should speak or teach in the Name of Jesus.
19 [q]But Peter and John answered unto them, and said, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 [r]So they threatened them, and let them go, and found nothing how to punish them, because of the people: for all men praised God for that which was done.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.
23 [s]Then as soon as they were let go, they came to their fellows, and showed all that the high Priests and Elders had said unto them.
24 [t]And when they heard it, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou art the God which had made the heaven, and the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them.
25 Which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, (B)Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth assembled, and the rulers came together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For doubtless, against thine holy Son Jesus, whom thou hadst anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the [u]people of Israel gathered themselves together.
28 To [v]do whatsoever [w]thine hand, and thy counsel had determined before to be done.
29 And now, O Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants with all boldness to speak thy word,
30 So that thou stretch forth thine hand that healing, and signs, and wonders may be done by the Name of thine holy Son Jesus.
31 [x]And when as they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God boldly.
32 [y]And the multitude of them that believed, were of [z]one heart, and of one soul: neither any of them said, that anything of that which he possessed, was his own, but they had all things (C)common.
33 And with great power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 [aa]Neither was there any among them, that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the price of the things that were sold,
35 And laid it down at the Apostles’ feet, and it was distributed unto every man, according as he had need.
36 Also Joses which was called of the Apostles, Barnabas (that is by interpretation, the son of consolation) being a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Where as he had land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it down at the Apostles’ feet.
Footnotes
- Acts 4:1 None are commonly more diligent or bolder enemies of the Church, than such as profess themselves to be head builders: but the more they rage, the more constantly the faithful servants of God do continue.
- Acts 4:1 The Jews had certain garrisons for the guard and safety of the Temple and holy things, Matt. 26:65. These garrisons had a Captain, such as Eleazarus Ananias, the high Priest’s son was, in the time of the war that was in Judea, being a very impudent and proud young man, Josephus, lib. 2, of the taking of Judea.
- Acts 4:4 While they thought to diminish the number, they increased them.
- Acts 4:5 These were they that made the Sanhedrin, which were all of the tribe of Judah, until Herod used that cruelty against David’s stock.
- Acts 4:6 Of whom the high Priests were wont to be chosen and made, the execution of the yearly office being now changed them.
- Acts 4:7 Against such as brag of a succession of persons, without a succession of doctrine, and by that means beat down the true ministers of the word, so far forth as they are able.
- Acts 4:7 By what authority.
- Acts 4:9 Wolves which succeed true pastors plead their own cause, and not God’s neither the Churches’.
- Acts 4:10 He is indeed a true Shepherd, that teacheth his sheep to hang upon Christ only, as upon one that is not dead, but hath conquered death, and hath all rule in his own hand.
- Acts 4:12 Of God.
- Acts 4:12 There is no other man, or no other power and authority whatsoever: which kind of speech being usual among the Jews, rose upon this, that when we are in danger, we call upon them at whose hands we look for help.
- Acts 4:12 Anywhere: and this setteth forth unto us the largeness of Christ’s kingdom.
- Acts 4:13 The good liberty and boldness of the servants of God doeth yet thus much good that such as lay hid under a vizard of zeal, do at length bewray themselves to be indeed wicked men.
- Acts 4:13 The word used here, is Idiot, which being spoken in comparison had to a Magistrate, betokeneth a private man, but when we speak of sciences and studies, it signifieth one that is unlearned: and in accompt of honor and estimation it importeth one of base degree, and no estimation.
- Acts 4:15 Laid their heads together.
- Acts 4:16 He that flattereth himself in ignorance, cometh at length to do open wickedness, and that against his own conscience.
- Acts 4:19 We must so obey men to whom we are subject, that especially and before all things we obey God.
- Acts 4:21 So far off are the wicked from doing what they list, that contrariwise God useth even that to the setting forth of his glory, which he giveth them leave to do.
- Acts 4:23 The Apostles communicate their troubles with the Congregation.
- Acts 4:24 We ought neither to be afraid of the threatenings of our enemies, neither yet foolishly condemn their rage and madness against us: but we have to set against their force and malice, an earnest thinking upon the power and good will of God (both which we do manifestly behold in Christ) and so flee to the aid and succor of our Father.
- Acts 4:27 Although the people of Israel was but one people, yet the plural number is here used, not so much for the twelve tribes, every one of which made a people, as for the great multitude of them, as though many nations had assembled themselves together, as Judg. 5:14.
- Acts 4:28 The wicked execute God’s counsel, though they think nothing of it, but they are not therefore without fault.
- Acts 4:28 Thou hadst determined of thine absolute authority and power.
- Acts 4:31 God witnesseth to his Church by a visible sign, that it is he that will establish it by shaking the powers both of heaven and earth.
- Acts 4:32 An example of the true Church, wherein there is consent as well in doctrine as in charity one towards another: And the Pastors deliver true doctrine both sincerely, and constantly.
- Acts 4:32 They agreed both in counsel, will, and purposes.
- Acts 4:34 True charity helpeth the necessity of the poor with its own loss: but so, that all things be done well and orderly.
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Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
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